TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) announced its 2022-23 executive officers and seven new board of trustees members who will contribute to the independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit taxpayer research institute’s efforts to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government. These men and women, who hold prominent positions within highly regarded organizations across a variety of industries, were elected at FTW’s Annual Meeting earlier in December and will serve three-year terms. They join an esteemed executive committee and 89 returning board members.

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch released A Key to Overcoming Disasters: Complete Census Data Reinforces Resiliency, a timely commentary highlighting the value of census data throughout the planning, response, and recovery stages of a disaster. The report also points to the estimated 750,000 Florida residents who were not counted in the 2020 Census, leaving up to $2.1 billion per year on the table for the next 10 years – federal funding that could have supported Hurricane Ian recovery efforts.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) announced the winners of the 2022 Florida TaxWatch Productivity Awards (TPA) program, which, for over three decades, has recognized and rewarded the hard work and dedication of state employees who have taken the initiative to improve services and increase efficiencies, while also serving as good stewards of their fellow Floridians’ hard-earned tax dollars. This year, after receiving hundreds of nominations, FTW will present approximately 148 awards to thousands of individual employees and large teams from 17 state agencies and four universities across Florida. In total, their efforts will save taxpayers over $818 million, contributing to an estimated $12 billion in total savings since the program was established.

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Verizon today announces a $250,000 donation to support small businesses affected by Hurricane Ian. Verizon is partnering with Collaboratory, a local non-profit community-problem solving organization in Southwest Florida, and Florida TaxWatch, a trusted non-profit organization that serves as the ‘eyes and ears’ of Florida taxpayers and promotes economic development across the state, to create $10,000 grants to provide small businesses in the hardest-hit areas of Florida with critical relief.

Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro, said, “Our thoughts are with the first responders, volunteers, elected officials, and Florida families whose lives will never be the same due to the impacts of Hurricane Ian. As our state continues its rescue and recovery efforts in the many weeks and months ahead, we must remember to also look toward tomorrow.