PRESS RELEASE

TALLAHASSEE - Florida TaxWatch today announced a record number of "budget turkeys" in this year's $48.9 billion state budget.

Florida TaxWatch is a non-profit, nonpartisan statewide government watchdog and research institute based in Tallahassee. This year's report reveals the 1999 legislature generated a total of 526 budget turkeys, totaling almost $235 million. This is the largest number of budget turkeys in state history. Florida TaxWatch identified 291 turkeys worth $130 million in General Revenue and 235 turkeys worth $105 million in Trust Funds. This year's budget turkeys cost each Florida household $39.12, with budget turkeys costing every man, woman, and child in Florida $15.65. Last year, the legislature generated a total of 90 probable turkeys totaling $102.5 million.

"With the strong economy and a reduced need for state services, the legislature had a budget windfall. Regrettably, after passing tax cuts, they couldn't resist doling out more than a quarter billion dollars in special turkeys. Taxpayers should demand accountability for their dollars even when we see budget surpluses," said Dominic Calabro, president of Florida TaxWatch. "

Since 1983, TaxWatch has spotted budget items dubbed "budget turkeys," meaning those items placed in the budget without proper public review; which circumvent competition and the lawfully established procedures; which benefit a very limited special interest; or local area of the state or are low priority items that get funded over higher priority needs.

As in previous years, it is important to note that the "budget turkey" label does not denote condemnation of a budget item's worthiness. The term merely suggests that with the state's vast and pressing needs, and limited resources, the question must be asked, "Is this the best use of Floridians' state tax dollars. This and previous Turkey Watch reports are not attempts to record only government waste or inefficiency. While in some cases that may be a factor, this year's report offers an independent assessment about the honesty, integrity and public review of the state's $48.9 billion 1999-2000 budget.

One of the best arguments for stopping turkeys is the many urgently needed state services that the funds spent on turkeys would otherwise purchase. More than $130 million of General Revenue, now appropriated for budget turkeys, could be used to purchase:
More than 3,800 new public school teachers,
An additional 65,000 computers for school classrooms,
$55 in additional funding for each K-12 student,
30,000 new child care slots,
A general tax reduction of $39 per household.

Examples of TaxWatch's 1999 budget turkeys include:

#0003 Swimming Instruction for Children with Economic Need - Broward County, $200,000 (Trust Fund). This item would provide funds for swimming lessons for children with economic need in Broward County. This is part of the "Swim Central Hotline" program funded in item #109. This program earmark negates the authority of the Broward County School District to utilize lottery funds in its authorized discretion and reduces funding for all students in the district.

#0038 Orlando Performing Arts and Education Center University of Central Florida, $7.59 Million (Trust Fund). This item provides funds to build a $158 million performing arts complex in Orlando with $28 million designated as the state match. It was not requested by the Agency nor recommended by the Governor. It is not on any year of a capital outlay plan and, since it is only partially funded, will encumber the state in out years. It circumvents the appropriate process for funding cultural facilities projects.

#949 Juvenile Crime Prevention Programs, $10.37 Million (General Revenue). Forty-two (42) items listed in proviso, which circumvent the juvenile justice grants process. These are local government projects benefiting local area residents but lacking significant local funding support and/or overall benefit to the state-as-a-whole. They circumvent competition and mandate that specific vendors or projects receive funding.

#1327C Local Parks Projects, $22.0 Million (Trust Fund). One hundred and twenty-four (124) earmarks in one line-item. These are local government projects benefiting local area residents but lacking significant local funding support and/or overall benefit to the state-as-a-whole.

#1511 Charlotte County Airport Debt Retirement, $2.10 Million (Trust Fund). This Airport Authority floated a bond in 1990. A local group initiated legislation to remove the airport's taxing authority, which passed. It was left with the debt and no tax base. They have been repaying with operations revenues. This is not part of DOT's work program, but this type of project would not normally be included in the planing process. DOT does support the project. Governor Chiles vetoed this last year, stating that it would be an unprecedented and inappropriate use of state funds.

"This year's Budget Turkey list reveals an alarming tendency to circumvent the legislatively approved review system and add on last minute items," observed Dominic Calabro. "What makes matters particularly worse this year is the fact that many of these projects have merit but still circumvent procedures established by law."