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 […]
2026 Florida Legislative Session Wrap-Up – Special Session Edition
Budget & Appropriations, Research, TaxesIntroduction The 2026 Legislative Session, and its attendant special sessions, are finally over. For the second year in row, the Legislature could not complete its
Florida TaxWatch Announces Friday, April 17 is Florida Taxpayer Independence Day 2026
Press ReleasesFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, April 14, 2026 CONTACT: Christina Johnson Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida TaxWatch announced today that Friday, April 17 is Florida Taxpayer Independence Day (TID) 2026. This
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.
Comments to the Honorable Ray Rodrigues, Chair, and Members of the Senate Governmental Oversight & Accountability Committee regarding SB 84 – Retirement
Press ReleasesMy name is Dominic M. Calabro, and I am President and CEO of Florida TaxWatch, an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute and government watchdog which, for over 40 years, has worked to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability of Florida government and promote a fair and equitable system of taxation.
Florida TaxWatch Takes Closer Look at DROP, Recommends Reforms to Either Close to New Enrollees or Hold Program at Current Scope
Press ReleasesFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, August 6, 2026 CONTACT: Christina Johnson Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released A Closer Look At The Deferred Retirement Option Program to examine how
Florida TaxWatch Provides Analysis of the Governor’s Property Tax Amendment and Legislation, Recommends Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission Lead Debate
Press ReleasesFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, June 1, 2026 CONTACT: Christina Johnson (Tallahassee, Fla.) — The Florida Legislature is meeting in special session to consider Governor DeSantis’ proposed constitutional amendment and
Hospice and Palliative Care
Budget & Appropriations, Cost Savings, Economic Development, Health Care, Research, Retirement, Workforce DevelopmentFlorida’s aging population is driving sustained demand for cost-effective, patient-centered care across the continuum. Palliative care—non-curative, interdisciplinary support for patients with serious but often nonterminal conditions—improves quality of life and can lower overall costs when introduced early in the disease course. Hospice provides end-of-life care once a clinician certifies a terminal prognosis; in Florida, hospice providers operate under a Certificate of Need (CON) program that authorizes new entrants only when unmet need is demonstrated through twice-yearly batching cycles.
Addressing Florida’s Escalating Physician Shortage: Strategies and Solutions
Health Care, Institute of Quality Health and Aging, Research, Social Determinants of Health, Workforce DevelopmentThis paper addresses the growing issue of physician shortages in Florida. This shortage is primarily driven by an increasing and aging population, coupled with a high rate of physician retirements. The report evaluates the gap between healthcare demand and the supply of physicians, emphasizing the need for more medical students and improved healthcare policies. It discusses strategies like expanding Graduate Medical Education, utilizing telehealth, and leveraging Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to mitigate this shortage. The paper also considers legal and business aspects of practicing medicine in Florida, suggesting improvements to attract and retain healthcare professionals.
Extending State Group Insurance to the Florida College System
Blog, Health Care, Insurance, ResearchServing as the eyes and ears of Florida taxpayers, Florida TaxWatch annually reviews the state budget to prepare its Budget Guide, showing how hard-earned taxpayer dollars are spent. This year, consistent with a recommendation by Florida TaxWatch, line item 2923 of the 500-page General Appropriations Act appropriates $500,000 in nonrecurring funds to the Department of Management Services to contract for a comprehensive analysis to determine the fiscal impact and feasibility of extending the State Group Insurance Program (SGIP) to employees of the Florida College System.
