The TaxWatch Research Blog

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida TaxWatch, the state's nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute & government watchdog of forty years, has released its review of the Broward County School District's SMART Program report for the quarter ending December 31, 2018. The report includes 9 recommendations, which will be presented and discussed by Florida TaxWatch's Vice President of Research Bob Nave at the Bond Oversight Committee's March 4, 2019 meeting

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida’s premier, independent government watchdog of forty years, Florida TaxWatch has released an independent analysis examining the financial impacts of a proposed constitutional amendment initiative that may appear on the November 2020 general election ballot that would (if approved) radically alter Florida’s electricity market. 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida’s premier independent watchdog, Florida TaxWatch, released the follow-up to the 2018 Florida TaxWatch Voter Guide. The update details local tax measures and new bond issues that voters approved last month and provides an update on what's next for the 11 amendments that are now part of Florida's Constitution. 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In a new research report from Florida’s premier independent watchdog, Florida TaxWatch looks at the success of the Independent Medical Review (IMR) program in California and examines if an IMR program is a solution to keeping Florida’s workers’ compensation costs low.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The 2018 election made its mark on Florida’s elected leadership, ushering in a new Governor, Attorney General, and Agriculture Commissioner, electing a previously appointed Chief Financial Officer, as well as new legislators and members of the Congressional delegation. However, the Florida legislative and executive branches are not the only ones welcoming in a new slate of leaders. Earlier this month, Florida TaxWatch welcomed the organization’s new chairman, Senator Pat Neal, at its 39^th Annual Meeting in Ponte Vedra Beach.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In Florida TaxWatch’s latest research report, the independent government watchdog dives into Florida’s film and television industry to examine how other states are luring in film production companies and identify strategies Florida can employ to remain competitive in the industry.

Today, Florida TaxWatch released the Taxpayers' Budget Guide to the FY2018-19 state budget, which went into effect July 1, 2018.

Florida TaxWatch recently convened some of Florida’s top educational leaders to discuss improving the leadership in our public school principals and today a summary report of that discussion in available publicly. The summary report, released today, includes the discussed strategies, a review of related educational literature, and a number of takeaways for consideration by policymakers and education professionals.

Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court's decision to allow states to collect sales taxes from online retailers -

Today, Florida TaxWatch released the 2018 edition of the How Florida Compares: Taxes report. For several years, TaxWatch has published this easy-to-use guide to help Floridians better understand their state through comparing our state's taxes to those that are levied across the nation. The How Florida Compares: Taxes report provides nonpartisan information on where Florida ranks and contains nearly 40 tables, graphs, and charts that provide a comprehensive look at tax collections and other government revenues for all 50 states.

The state’s premier taxpayer research institute, Florida TaxWatch, has appointed one of Florida’s most respected government relations counselors to its Board of Trustees. Fausto Gomez, President of Gomez Barker Advisors, joins the Tallahassee-based watchdog organization. He presently serves as a public affairs professional successfully representing businesses and governments in Florida.

Florida TaxWatch has announced the winners of the 2018 Prudential Productivity Awards at a press conference in its offices in Tallahassee. Established in 1989, the Prudential Productivity Awards program is designed to highlight and reward state employees who innovatively reduce costs and improve services for Florida taxpayers.

A new report from the state's independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit government watchdog and taxpayer research institute, Florida TaxWatch, shows that failure to make permanent the non-homestead exemption cap could result in Floridians paying as much as $700 million more in property taxes annually. However, Florida voters will have the chance to protect themselves from higher property taxes by voting “yes” on Amendment 2 this November.

As the third largest state in the country and one of the fastest growing, the upcoming Federal Census count will be more important to the Sunshine State than nearly any other state.  If Florida is under-represented by the decennial population count, it could cost the state billions of dollars. Although most people think of the 2020 Census as a long way off, Florida’s state and local officials need to immediately start ensuring the accuracy of the count by participating in existing intergovernmental processes to verify addresses and residences.

Barney Barnett, Vice Chairman of Publix Super Markets, Inc., was honored on Friday, April 20th during the Florida TaxWatch Spring Meeting Awards in Orlando, FL. Though Mr. Barnett was unable to attend the event, his son Wesley and daughter-in-law Ashley were present to accept his award and to Skype Mr. Barnett into the luncheon. 

In 1977, incoming Senate President Phil Lewis approached Mark Hollis, then Vice Chair of Publix Super Markets, Inc., about the need for a line of communication between the business community and the Legislature. From there, the idea for a government watchdog was born, and Florida TaxWatch (then known as the Citizens Council for Budget Research) was created two years later. Senate President Phil Lewis was not only a founder of Florida TaxWatch but a legislative leader dedicated to making the sunshine state a force to be reckoned with.

Today, Florida TaxWatch and the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce announced a strategic partnership that benefits the taxpaying citizens of Florida. The nature of the strategic partnership is founded on a shared vision of advancing economic vitality and sound public policy. Leaders from both organizations recognized that synergies and common interests currently exist, which can be optimized by working together to achieve their respective missions.

On Saturday, Floridians will celebrate the first day of the year where taxpayers are finally earning money for themselves and not for the tax collector. Taxpayer Independence Day, calculated by Florida TaxWatch, assumes that every dollar earned since January 1 goes to pay federal, state, and local obligations. 

Florida's elderly population continues to grow at a rapid rate, and so does the number of Hospice enrollees. Hospice is the primary model for end of life care in the United States, and is currently regulated in Florida by a process known as "Certificate of Need."

Florida TaxWatch's annual independent review of Florida’s FY2018-19 budget, the Budget Turkey Watch Report, was released today. The report promotes additional oversight and integrity in the state’s budgeting process based on the principle that: because money appropriated by the Legislature belongs to the taxpayers of Florida, the process must be transparent and accountable, and every appropriation should receive deliberation and public debate.

Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro released the following statement regarding the House's passage of the proposed supermajority constitutional amendment.

Previous legislation to expand nursing programs and alleviate Florida's nursing shortage has had unintended consequences, finds the latest Economic Commentary from Florida TaxWatch, the state's premier non-partisan government watchdog.

Florida TaxWatch is pleased to announce its newest staff member. Chris Hart IV is the latest addition to Florida TaxWatch’s executive leadership team and will be serving as an Executive Vice President.

The Agency for State Technology is a critical piece to ensuring that Florida’s government engine is well-oiled and moves along smoothly. Florida TaxWatch applauds Governor Scott for vetoing HB 5301 that would have reversed the progress Florida has made in improving its state technology services.

Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro released the following statement following the passage of House Bill 1A during Special Session A.