The TaxWatch Research Blog

Budget Turkeys are items, usually local member projects, that are added to the appropriations bill in during the budget conference that circumvent established competitive review processes. The Budget Turkey label does not signify judgment of a project's worthiness.

Today, Florida TaxWatch announced the winners of the 2017 Prudential Productivity Awards at a press conference in its offices in Tallahassee. In its 29th rendition, the Prudential Productivity Awards program is designed to highlight and reward state employees who innovatively reduce costs and improve services for Florida taxpayers.

With the release of the fiscal year 2017-18 budget, lawmakers now have 72 hours to read the final proposed budget prior to voting. Florida TaxWatch played an instrumental role in the enactment of the constitutionally required 72 hour "cooling off" period. This allows the public, press and legislators ample time to examine the budget before a vote is cast. The $82.418 billion state budget will fund various state agencies and critical services for all Floridians.

With the passage of Senate Bill 10 yesterday, the state can now begin to address the Everglades problem. This is a huge win for taxpayers, the environment and the state as a whole as the long-term damage of ignoring this would have exponentially ballooned the costs of the crisis.

Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro released the following statement on the HB 7109, which passed the House earlier today.

Continued inaction on the Everglades problem will be a detriment to taxpayers and the future of the state, says the latest report from Florida TaxWatch, the state’s premier government watchdog group. The organization finds that if the state does not find a solution to the algae blooms and other problems from diversion of water from Lake Okeechobee, the state, tourism industry, and the overall economy would lose millions in revenues, not to mention the negative health and environmental impacts.

Florida TaxWatch's continued call for a cut to the business rent tax (BRT) is echoed again in its latest report. The BRT, the only statewide tax of its kind in the country, requires all Florida businesses to pay the state a six percent tax on commercial leases, with a local option up to an additional two percent. This places a significant and costly burden upon Florida businesses, especially start-ups and smaller companies.

Ensuring that Florida has a welcoming tax climate for business and residents is crucial in improving the state economy, creating jobs and keeping money in the pockets of hard-working taxpayers. Florida TaxWatch applauds the Florida House for their commitment to this goal through their proposed tax package.

Legislation filed in the Senate could have a detrimental effect on the insurance industry, which employs more than 200,000 people in Florida. Senate Bill 378 would eliminate the insurance premium tax credit for insurers, the impact of which is highlighted in the latest report by Florida TaxWatch, the state’s premier non-partisan government watchdog.

The latest report by Florida TaxWatch, the state’s independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute & government watchdog, finds that food deserts are taking a serious toll on our residents. The report finds that more than 23.5 million people throughout the United States are in areas deemed food deserts—places that lack access to healthy food options—and that people living in these areas are more likely to be obese and have health complications.

Florida tourism is an absolutely critical industry to the state, employing millions of people and contributing millions of dollars to state coffers. Despite its importance to the Sunshine State, tourism is in the crosshairs of the Florida House, a costly decision according to the latest report by the state’s premier non-partisan government watchdog, Florida TaxWatch.

The latest report by Florida TaxWatch, the state’s independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute & government watchdog, finds that applying a national border-adjusted tax to reinsurance transactions would result in significantly increased property and casualty insurance premiums for Floridians and negatively impact the state economy and job market.

Today’s Revenue Estimating Conference estimates that an additional $77.8 million in general revenue for the Legislature available to craft the new budget. Despite this boost, the new additions do not materially change the future outlook of the budget process. The Legislature will have to practice fiscal responsibility when crafting the state budget, ensuring that it is balanced and that it funds critical services for taxpayers.

The latest finding by Florida TaxWatch, the state’s premier non-partisan government watchdog, explores the true cost of education beyond the “per student” number often cited by the Legislature and media. This report gives Florida taxpayers a more comprehensive and insightful view of the ways that education dollars are spent and allows them to make informed decisions as to whether their tax dollars are being spent in a fiduciary manner.

On March 8, Florida TaxWatch, an independent nonpartisan research institute, held its State of the Taxpayer Dinner highlighting the issues affecting Florida taxpayers during the 2017 Legislative Session. In its second year, the sold-out, standing room only State of the Taxpayer Dinner attracted more than 150 taxpayers, business and community leaders and lawmakers.

A new report by Florida TaxWatch, the state’s independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute & government watchdog, finds that the growth of high-tech manufacturing is beneficial to Florida and that investing in the industry now can put us ahead of competitor states in enticing companies to the state.

Governor Scott's address today stressed what he, Florida TaxWatch and others have been saying for years - we need great jobs and a strong economy in order to make Florida the top state in the country to do business, grow a family and vacation. To do this, he said, we must cut the Business Rent Tax (BRT), fund targeted economic incentive programs and continue to market Florida as the nation's premier tourist destination.

According to Florida TaxWatch, the state’s independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute & government watchdog, the Barbara Bush Foundation’s Teen Trendsetters™ mentor program is helping Florida’s children succeed inside and outside of the classroom.  Not only is the program valuable to participants but taxpayers benefit via avoidance of social program costs and additional earnings generated from the potential increase in graduation rates.

The latest edition of Florida TaxWatch’s Economic Commentary looks at the rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and the economic impact of ARB infections. The report finds that the increased use of antibiotics has allowed bacteria to develop resistance to many commonly used antibiotics, rendering antibiotic therapy ineffective in the treatment of ARB infections.

Last night, Florida TaxWatch, the state’s independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute & government watchdog, presented its review of the Broward County School District’s SMART Program report for the quarter ending on December 31, 2016. The report includes 28 findings and 16 recommendations, which were elaborated on by Florida TaxWatch’s Vice President of Research, Bob Nave.

Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida are critical functions of our state, boosting our economy and creating thousands of jobs for hard-working Floridians. While we hold much respect for the members on the House Appropriations Committee, we are disappointed in their votes to move forward on House Bill 7005. The bill will now be heard in front of the full House Chamber.

Today’s record-breaking tourism numbers are proof that Florida’s funding of marketing programs is working for the state. Nearly 113 million visitors came to the Sunshine State to attend our theme parks, spend time on the beach and enjoy numerous other attractions.