The TaxWatch Research Blog

The TaxWatch Research Blog is a forum where our research staff can address topics and issues in a short format. Keep an eye on this space during Legislative Session for frequent posts making sense of the activity at the Capitol. 

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Florida TaxWatch In the News

Who Are the Florida Electors? Who Will Cast the State’s Votes for Donald Trump Today?

 

Statewide Coverage. Statewide Impact.

Florida 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!

 

 

 

PRINT & DIGITAL

 

Florida State University Receives Most 2020 Florida Taxwatch Awards of Any State University (December 14, 2020)
Florida State University News
For the fifth consecutive year, Florida State University employees claimed a total of 14 Florida TaxWatch Productivity Awards, the most by any institution in the State University System.

Who Are the Florida Electors Who Will Cast the State’s Votes for Donald Trump Today? (December 14, 2020)
Florida Politics
Pat Neal, a Southwest Florida developer, once served as a Democrat in the Florida Senate, but for years has served as a Republican kingmaker for the region. He has chaired Florida TaxWatch and the Christian Coalition of Florida.

Budget Crunch Could Stall Florida’s New Toll Road Program (December 9, 2020)
The Bond Buyer
The coronavirus pandemic and its impact on tax collections are expected to lower available general revenues by $2.77 billion in fiscal 2022 and by $2.05 billion in 2023, according to Florida TaxWatch, a statewide budget watchdog group.

FLORIDA GUARDIAN AD LITEM PROGRAM WINS AWARDS, PUSHES NEW TRAINING EFFORTS (December 4, 2020)
Florida Bar
The Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program has received two awards from Florida TaxWatch as it continues to expand recruiting and training for volunteer lawyers for its programs and other pro bono efforts.

Tony Carvajal Takes Over as Executive Vice President of Florida TaxWatch (December 3, 2020)
Florida Daily
On Wednesday, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) announced the appointment of Tony Carvajal as executive vice president.
Carvajal succeeds Robert Weissert who is moving to Washington, D.C. to pursue the next chapter of his career after 14 years with the taxpayer research institute.

PERSONNEL FILE --- PEOPLE ON THE MOVE, DECEMBER 3, 2020 (December 3, 2020)
News Service of Florida
TONY CARVAJAL has been named executive vice president of Florida TaxWatch. Carvajal most recently served as president and CEO of The Able Trust.

Tony Carvajal Tapped as Executive Vice President for Florida Taxwatch (December 2, 2020)
The Capitolist
Florida TaxWatch (FTW) announced Wednesday the appointment of Tony Carvajal as Executive Vice President.
Carvajal, who previously served as President and CEO of The Able Trust, a foundation established by the Florida Legislature that is tasked with helping people with disabilities obtain employment, will succeed Robert Weissert who is moving to Washington, D.C to continue his career.

Personnel Note: Tony Carvajal Appointed Evp at Florida Taxwatch (December 2, 2020)
Florida Politics
Tony Carvajal has been appointed as the new executive vice president of Florida TaxWatch, the nonpartisan watchdog announced Wednesday.
“Tony is a proven leader whose impressive experience and success across Florida’s non-profit and business sectors will work to further propel the mission of Florida TaxWatch,” Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro said

Also published in: 
Sunburn — The morning 🌅 read of what’s hot ️ in Florida politics — 12.3.20 — Burnin’ today: Diaz, Carvajal, Sweeny, Burgess, DeSantis 

‘We Aren’t Getting Enough’: Florida Counties In 2020 Again Turned To Voters For Essential Funding (December 1, 2020)
WUFT
To make up for this, Florida relies more heavily on local revenue to fund essential services than any other state, according to a 2019 study by Florida TaxWatch, a nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research group. Local governments account for 54.9% of Florida’s total state and local revenue, the highest percentage in the nation.

Film Industry's High-Wage Jobs Produces Economic Diversity in Florida | Opinion (December 1, 2020)
Florida Today
When the Florida Legislature reconvenes in March, we encourage them to create a modest but effective “targeted rebate program” to entice film, television, and digital media companies to bring projects, jobs, and money to Florida. We expect this legislation to revive bi-partisan support and have the backing of the Florida Chamber, Florida TaxWatch, and Associated Industries of Florida.

Also published in:
Gainesville Sun
MSN
Florida Politics

Facing $2.7b Budget Shortfall, Florida Lawmakers Again Will Ponder ‘E-Fairness’ Legislation (December 1, 2020) 
The Center Square Florida
In a study released in April, FTW said adopting an “e-fairness” bill and sealing a projected $700 million annual gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe are pivotal to “help shore up state revenue without raising taxes.” New Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, said he supports “e-fairness” measures, noting past measures have died because some lawmakers don’t want to be perceived as raising taxes.

Consumer Sentiment: Doom and Gloom or a Little Sunshine? (December 1, 2020)
The Capitolist
Florida TaxWatch’s (FTW) analysis of the Impact of COVID-19 on consumer confidence paints a somewhat gloomy picture, but a dive into the numbers shows room for optimism.

Florida TaxWatch Looks at Consumer Confidence During the COVID-19 Pandemic (December 1, 2020)
Florida Daily
This week, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released an economic commentary looking at where Floridians are on spending and consumer confidence during the coronavirus pandemic.
FTW unveiled “Confidence and Coronavirus: How Consumers Feel About Florida’s Economy” on Monday.

COVID Crisis Impacts Florida’s Tourism Industry Which in Turn Hammers State’s Tax Revenue (November 30, 2020)
CBS Miami – WFOR 4
"Florida TaxWatch of course proposes the legislature trim budgets. But they also have proposals to seeking additional revenue streams to offset the COVID impact, such as collecting taxes on internet purchases."

With Pandemic Economy in Frame, Chuck Clemons Refiles E-Fairness Legislation
(November 30, 2020)
Florida Politics
Rep. Chuck Clemons filed a bill (HB 15) Monday requiring internet retailers and online marketplaces to collect state sales tax on items delivered within Florida, government expenditure watchdogs at Florida TaxWatch, founded to fight tax and spending inefficiencies, have repeatedly backed the proposal. TaxWatch has also highlighted the option as a possible revenue source to offset the pandemic.

Randy Miller Remembered for Humor, Friendship, Tax Fairness
He relentlessly promoted tax fairness and Florida's retailers. (November 30, 2020)
Tallahassee Democrat
“He was a force to be reckoned with,” said Florida TaxWatch CEO Dominic Calabro, who first met Miller in 1980.  
Calabro invited Miller to serve on the Florida Taxwatch Board of Trustees, the group that monitors how government raises and spends money. Miller was a member for more than 20 years.

 

 

 

RADIO & TV

 

WFOR CBS 4
December 6, 2020, Facing South Florida With Jim DeFede video HERE
December 6, 2020, Sunday Morning video HERE

SUNRISE Podcast
December 9, 2020, Sunrise Podcast Episode 300 HERE (Begins 01:02) Story audio HERE (12:05 – 17:30)

WFOR CBS 4
November 30, 2020, News at 6PM video HERE.
December 1, 2020, News This Morning 5:30AM video HERE
December 1, 2020, News This Morning 6AM video HERE.

 
 

 

 
 
 
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