Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released Economic Commentary: State COVID-19 Restrictions & the Road Back to Economic Normal, which offers a cursory overview of the relationship between states’ COVID-19 restrictions and their respective economic recoveries. Using data obtained by CNN and Moody’s Analytics, as well as WalletHub, the analysis indicates that states implementing more stringent COVID-19 guidelines, such as face mask requirements and bans on large gatherings, have had slower economic recoveries compared to those that lifted restrictions sooner, a measure determined by the national index score, state-level employment, unemployment insurance claims, seated restaurants open, and more.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released its latest report, The Suncoast Connector is a Multi-Billion Dollar Gamble examining the recently created Multi-Use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance (M-CORES) program which was established through legislation passed and signed into law in 2019 (SB 7068) to direct the construction of three new toll roads in the Florida Turnpike System. The report, which focuses primarily on the Suncoast Connector, raises serious concerns regarding economic feasibility, transportation need, environmental and agricultural impact, and economic benefit of this road and urges caution, especially given the revenue impact of COVID-19, before proceeding with the Suncoast Connector whose costs and true value remain in question.