A Closer Look At The Deferred Retirement Option Program
Research, RetirementDear Fellow Taxpayer Many of Florida’s longest-serving public employees take part in a program that lets them formally retire “on paper” while continuing to work […]
Florida TaxWatch Releases The Taxpayers’ Guide to Florida’s Fiscal Year 2025-26 State Budget
Press ReleasesFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, September 4, 2025 CONTACT: Christina Johnson TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released The Taxpayers’ Guide to Florida’s FY2025-26 State Budget, providing an overview
Fiscal Year 2022: Florida Reduces Debt Ratio
Blog, Budget & Appropriations, Cost Savings, Economic Development, Research, TaxesFlorida has remained in good financial standing this past fiscal year. This is also true of the state’s debt position. FY 2021-22 marks the ninth consecutive year with a debt ratio below the six percent target established by the Legislature. In addition:
Instructional Expenses: Prek-12 Education Spending
Blog, Education, ResearchWhere and how well our school districts spend our education dollars can have a profound impact on student academic achievement and success. Historically, education makes up about one-fourth of Florida’s total budget. Florida TaxWatch believes that shifting education spending away from administrative and other expenses and toward classroom/instructional expenses is beneficial.
IDEAS IN ACTION—It is Well Past Time to Modernize Florida’s Baker & Marchman Acts
Blog, ResearchPatt Maney is a retired brigadier general and former county court judge who has represented District 4 (Part of Okaloosa) in the Florida House of Representatives since 2020. Reforming Florida’s civil commitment laws was one of his primary motivators for seeking legislative office because as a judge, he presided over Baker Act hearings and witnessed the law’s various shortcomings.
Are Floridians Ready to Go Back to School? Not Without More Teachers…
Education, ResearchSchools are not immune to the workforce shortages plaguing all sectors of our economy. In preparation for the start of the school year, hiring enough teachers and staff members to satisfy vacancies has been a challenge for school districts.
Senator George LeMieux Remarks SOTD 2022
Press ReleasesPrepared remarks for Florida TaxWatch Chairman George S. LeMieux, Florida TaxWatch State of the Taxpayer, 2022 – AC Hotel Tallahassee Universities at the Capitol, January 12, 2022
A New Durbin Amendment Would Spell Trouble for U.S. Credit Card Customers
Economic Development, ResearchThere are times when we are uncertain what will happen if a particular public policy is implemented. A proposal in Congress about cuts in interchange fees on credit cards is not one of them.
Taxpayer Independence Day
Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideOn Friday, April 9, Florida TaxWatch joins the taxpayers in our state in celebrating Florida Taxpayer Independence Day 2021. On that day, Floridians are finally earning money for themselves–not for the tax collector. This symbolic date assumes that every dollar earned since January 1 goes to pay federal, state, and local tax obligations.
November 2020 News Highlights
In the NewsFlorida TaxWatch is constantly looking to spread the word about our research, recommendations, and programs, all in pursuit of serving each and every taxpayer in Florida. Below is just a selection of where we’ve popped up in the last few weeks!
