20 Years of Building a Better Florida
Published: February 2000
By Lynda Keever

When Florida TaxWatch issues its reports to the media, we all pay attention. For the past 20 years, this nonpartisan research institute has been keeping us apprised of important issues that affect Florida’s taxpayers and businesses. So when Dominic Calabro, TaxWatch president, invited me to serve as master of ceremonies for the recent TaxWatch 20th Anniversary celebration, I was delighted to accept.

At the pre-dinner reception held at the University Club on the campus of Florida State University, I noticed many captains of industry and elected officials who are strong supporters of TaxWatch. T. O’Neal Douglas, chairman of American Heritage Life Insurance Company in Jacksonville and TaxWatch chairman, brought along a large contingent of supporters. Alex Sink, president of NationsBank Florida, as chair-elect is next in line to head TaxWatch.

During dinner, Mark Hollis, retired president of Publix Super Markets, T. Wayne Davis of the Winn-Dixie founding family, and former Senator Philip Lewis talked about how they got together to found TaxWatch. I think it’s noteworthy that two of the founding parties — friendly competitors in the grocery business — put aside their separate business interests and focused on how to grow and reinvent our government and public institutions to be more competitive, productive and accountable. They understood that if we spend tax dollars smarter, more productively and with greater accountability, we won’t have to raise taxes as deeply or as often, and we will get better results.

Gov. Jeb Bush emphasized that point in his keynote address at the anniversary dinner, pointing out that he sees TaxWatch as a vital partner in reshaping government’s role, strategies and approach to work.

TaxWatch is supported by contributions from a wide spectrum of Floridians: private individuals, small businesses, corporations, professional firms, labor unions, associations and foundations. And TaxWatch has earned respect and recognition outside the state as well: Articles about TaxWatch have run in every Florida newspaper as well as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. TaxWatch was cited by Governing magazine (formerly City and State and now an affiliate of Florida Trend) as one of the six most influential and respected government watchdogs and taxpayer research institutes in the nation.

Part of the reason TaxWatch deserves our interest and support is that it focuses on what can be done, instead of what has been done wrong. According to Joseph Lacher, president of BellSouth Florida and a former TaxWatch chairman, “A commitment to positive change is the key to TaxWatch’s success.”

And that success is impressive. Three out of four TaxWatch proposals have been implemented, for a total of $6.2 billion in cost savings — about $1,067 for each Florida family. Accountability measurement for government performance, tax incentives to increase manufacturing jobs and reform of Florida’s intangible tax are just a few of the issues TaxWatch has bulldogged in recent years. Probably their most highly publicized report is the annual “Turkey Watch,” a list of questionable legislative appropriations.

The Davis Productivity Awards is another important project in which TaxWatch plays a big role. Along with the Florida Council of 100 and the state of Florida, TaxWatch administers this program to recognize and reward state government employees whose work measurably increases productivity and promotes innovation. The program is named for the Winn-Dixie Davis family, which provides $100,000 each year for cash awards, plaques and certificates of commendation.

Too often state employees get a bad rap, and taxpayers frequently criticize wasteful, excessive government spending. But Florida government employees can and do save taxpayer dollars. This year, almost 800 nominations were submitted for individuals and work units that saved $188 million and generated an extra $84 million in revenue. Over the past 11 years, Davis Productivity Award winners have produced a total of $3 billion in savings for Florida’s taxpayers.

I have been privileged to serve as an awards judge for the last three years, and am always impressed that so many individuals and work teams volunteer their personal time to make state government more effective, efficient and “customer” friendly. The well-deserved public recognition the Davis Productivity Award winners receive helps ensure that government’s contribution to taxpayer well-being continues.