Comparing the 2018 House and Senate Tax Packages

Monday, March 5, 2018 / Categories: Research, Taxes, Budget/Approps, Taxpayer Guide

The House unveiled its 2018 tax cut package (HB 7087) almost a month ago, while the Senate’s did not appear until week 8 of the session when it was amended onto SB 620 in the Appropriations Committee. The bills have a lot of similarities, but there are big differences that will have to be negotiated before a final tax cut package is approved.

Increasing the Independence and Effectiveness of the Florida Taxpayers’ Rights Advocate

Monday, February 19, 2018 / Categories: Research, Taxes, Budget/Approps

The 2018 Legislature has an opportunity to strengthen and increase the independence of an important taxpayer safeguard—the Florida Taxpayers’ Rights Advocate. Senate Bill 826 and House Bill 1345 would make the needed changes to the law.

Budget Watch - More Revenue for the Next Budget

Monday, February 12, 2018 / Categories: Research, Taxes, Budget/Approps, Cost Savings, Budget Turkeys, Taxpayer Guide

As the Florida Legislature prepares to go into conference budget negotiations to finalize the FY2018-19 budget, state estimators gave lawmakers a bit of good news. Florida’s General Revenue (GR) Estimating Conference met on February 9 and forecast that the state would collect an additional $461.8 million in FY2017-18 and FY2018-19.

2018 How Florida Counties Compare

Monday, February 12, 2018 / Categories: Research, Taxes, Budget/Approps, Local Government, Taxpayer Guide

This publication compares the revenue and expenditure profiles of Florida’s 67 counties to give taxpayers an overview of how their local government stacks up with the rest of the state. The report presents the most recently available data regarding: property taxes, other taxes and fees, county and municipal revenues, county and municipal expenditures, and other related measures.

Budget Watch - Proposed Budgets Close in Amount, but Big Differences Remain

Thursday, February 8, 2018 / Categories: Research, Budget/Approps

The budget’s bottom lines are relatively close, with the Senate’s $87.3 billion plan coming in at only $100 million more than the House. While the totals are similar, some big differences exist, particularly in education and environmental funding.