May 15, 2024
Funds

New North Padre Island park in Corpus Christi may see more funds

A planned park for North Padre Island that would transform a largely bare landscape into a regional recreational hub hasn’t yet reached design – but additional funding may speed it along. The first phase of Commodore Park, if it were to unfold as envisioned, would encompass a range of early amenities such as pickleball courts,

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Funds

Fall River seeks grant proposals for opioid lawsuit settlement funding

FALL RIVER — With the city receiving a windfall of $8 million from settling lawsuits with prescription opioid manufacturers and distributors, Fall River should set aside some money to pay the funeral expenses of people who will die from drug overdoses, said Niki Fontaine, director of Substance Use and Homeless Outreach Services.  To the board

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Property

NJ’s property tax rate leads the country. Where does your town stand?

New Jersey’s 564 towns all levy property taxes and invariably receive backlash over the cost — not surprising, as the state boasts the highest concentration of the highest property tax bills in the nation. Its property tax rate on owner-occupied property as a percentage of home value leads the 50 states, according to a 2023

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Finance

Amid FAFSA crisis, Federal Student Aid chief Richard Cordray steps down

The top Biden official overseeing federal college financial aid has resigned, the Education Department said Friday, capping off a year of turmoil for students and universities.  Richard Cordray, the chief operating officer for Federal Student Aid, will step down at the end of June, officials said. The former head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau,

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Funds

6 concerns Arizona schools have with Tom Horne, federal poverty funds

Superintendents, financial officers and other school leaders packed a State Board of Education meeting to address multiple concerns about how the Arizona Department of Education is managing federal poverty funds. School leaders said earlier this week they don’t trust the department’s calculations for Title I funds, which are federal dollars that support schools with high

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Funds

Knox County Schools makes budget changes after federal pandemic funds end

Federal pandemic relief measures brought in $178 million to Knox County Schools. The money paid for technology upgrades, tutors and career empowerment. But the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund expires this year, and school districts around the country have to make decisions about what programs to continue when only local and state taxpayers

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Funds

Passaic NJ gets funds to create fourth splash park

PASSAIC — The city’s Colonel Johnson Park made the state Department of Environmental Protection’s list for Green Acres funds. The DEP approved the city’s $2.15 million grant request to convert the existing park into a splash park. The funds are part of this year’s $117 million Green Acres funds allotment. “As we celebrate Earth Week,

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Loans

Lawmakers approve bill to expand MOBUCK$ low-interest loan program

After the program received robust interest at the start of the year, the Missouri Senate unanimously passed an expansion of MOBUCK$, a state-sponsored low-interest loan program serving small business, agriculture and governmental clients. The legislation, House Bill 1803 sponsored by Rep. Terry Thompson, now sits on Gov. Mike Parson’s desk, awaiting his final decision regarding

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Loans

How to get a loan as a small business in Massachusetts, and other tips

BARNSTABLE — The Small Business Administration played matchmaker Wednesday at the high school where local lenders were on hand to talk with small-business owners about how they might tap into capital to start, grow, or expand.    The event drew nine lenders and 15 organizations that could provide resources to help small businesses get loans. About

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Funds

TN lawmakers redirect maternal health funds to crisis pregnancy centers

Earlier this year, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee proposed $3 million for a maternal health pilot program, aimed at addressing a pressing need to improve health outcomes for expectant mothers in a state ranked third worst in the country on maternal mortality issues. Now, the General Assembly will redirect that grant money to crisis pregnancy centers,

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