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. 

Florida TaxWatch to Honor Chiefland Middle High School Principal Matthew McLelland with a 2022-23 Principal Leadership Award on Fri., March 31

/ Categories: Releases

Chiefland, Fla. – On Fri., March 31, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) will honor Chiefland Middle High School Principal Matthew McLelland with the Florida TaxWatch 2022-23 Principal Leadership Award (PLA), which identifies Florida’s most effective principals in high-risk K-12 public schools, recognizes and rewards their work, and promotes their transformational practices throughout the state. 

Florida TaxWatch Announces Oasis Middle School Principal Edna Bailey as a 2022-23 Principal Leadership Awards Winner

/ Categories: Releases

Bradenton, Fla. – Today, Wed., March 29, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) will proudly announce that Oasis Middle School Principal Edna Bailey is among the nine winners of the Florida TaxWatch 2022-23 Principal Leadership Awards (PLA). Through the program, Principal Bailey has also identified one deserving student to receive a full two-year Florida Prepaid College Scholarship.

Florida TaxWatch to Honor Richardson Sixth Grade Academy Principal Lisa Lee with a 2022-23 Principal Leadership Award on Thurs., March 30

/ Categories: Releases

Lake City, Fla. – On Thurs., March 30, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) will honor Richardson Sixth Grade Academy Principal Lisa Lee with the Florida TaxWatch 2022-23 Principal Leadership Award (PLA), which identifies Florida’s most effective principals in high-risk K-12 public schools, recognizes and rewards their work, and promotes their transformational practices throughout the state. 

Florida TaxWatch Announces Evans High School Immediate Past Principal Rolando Bailey as a 2022-23 Principal Leadership Awards Winner

/ Categories: Releases

Orlando, Fla. – Today, Mon., March 27, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) will proudly announce that Rolando Bailey – Evans High School Immediate Past Principal, now Orange County Public Schools’ Area Superintendent for the Southeast Learning Community – is among the nine winners of the Florida TaxWatch 2022-23 Principal Leadership Awards (PLA). Through the program, Principal Bailey has also identified one deserving student to receive a full two-year Florida Prepaid College Scholarship.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Florida TaxWatch to Honor Oasis Middle School Principal Edna Bailey with a 2022-23 Principal Leadership Award on Wed., March 29

/ Categories: Releases

Bradenton, Fla. – On Wed., March 29, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) will honor Oasis Middle School Principal Edna Bailey with the Florida TaxWatch 2022-23 Principal Leadership Award (PLA), which identifies Florida’s most effective principals in high-risk K-12 public schools, recognizes and rewards their work, and promotes their transformational practices throughout the state. 

Florida TaxWatch Announces Middleburg Elementary School Principal Becky Wilkerson as a 2022-23 Principal Leadership Awards Winner

/ Categories: Releases

Middleburg, Fla. – Today, Fri., March 24, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) will proudly announce that Middleburg Elementary School Principal Becky Wilkerson is among the nine winners of the Florida TaxWatch 2022-23 Principal Leadership Awards (PLA). Through the program, Principal Wilkerson has also identified one deserving student to receive a full two-year Florida Prepaid College Scholarship.

Florida TaxWatch to Honor Evans High School Immediate Past Principal and Palm Bay Elementary School Principal with 2022-23 Principal Leadership Awards

/ Categories: Releases

Orlando, Fla. – On Mon., March 27, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) will honor Rolando Bailey – Evans High School Immediate Past Principal, now Orange County Public Schools’ Area Superintendent for the Southeast Learning Community – with the Florida TaxWatch 2022-23 Principal Leadership Award (PLA), which identifies Florida’s most effective principals in high-risk K-12 public schools, recognizes and rewards their work, and promotes their transformational practices throughout the state. The following day, Tues., March 28, the taxpayer research institute will also present Palm Bay Elementary School Principal Michael Mahl with the same award.

Florida TaxWatch to Honor Middleburg Elementary School Principal Becky Wilkerson with a 2022-23 Principal Leadership Award on Fri., March 24

/ Categories: Releases

Middleburg, Fla. – On Fri., March 24, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) will honor Middleburg Elementary School Principal Becky Wilkerson with the Florida TaxWatch 2022-23 Principal Leadership Award (PLA), which identifies Florida’s most effective principals in high-risk K-12 public schools, recognizes and rewards their work, and promotes their transformational practices throughout the state. 

Comments by Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro to Chair Joe Gruters and Members of the Senate Regulated Industries Committee on Tues., March 21, 2023, Regarding SB 1432 – Communicat

/ Categories: Releases

Florida TaxWatch has done considerable research on the communications services tax (CST) and has concluded that Florida’s CST rate is very high, relative to both other states and the sales tax on the purchase of other goods. A reduction in the tax rate would provide several benefits for taxpayers and the state.

Florida TaxWatch Analyzes the Trends of Supply and Demand in Florida’s Housing Market

/ Categories: Releases

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released Florida’s Housing Market: Trends of Supply and DemandThis commentary analyzes the increasing cost of buying a house due to supply and demand issues in Florida, building upon FTW’s January 2023 report, Economic Commentary: An Update on Florida’s Housing Rental Market, which evaluated Florida’s challenges with the ever-rising cost of rent. In this report, the taxpayer research institute examines the slowly developing supply of housing units, the growing and evolving demand for housing stock, and the consequences of the high housing and rental prices.

Florida TaxWatch Announces Indian Ridge School and Rosenwald Elementary School Principals as 2022-23 Principal Leadership Awards Winners

/ Categories: Releases

West Palm Beach, Fla. – Today, Thurs., March 16, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) will proudly announce that Indian Ridge School Principal Eugene Ford and Rosenwald Elementary School Principal Bruce Hightower are among the nine winners of the Florida TaxWatch 2022-23 Principal Leadership Awards (PLA). Through the program, Principals Ford and Hightower have also each identified one deserving student to receive a full two-year Florida Prepaid College Scholarship. 

Florida TaxWatch Announces Lillie C. Evans K-8 Center Immediate Past Principal Dr. Bridgette Tate-Wyche as 2022-23 Principal Leadership Awards Winner

/ Categories: Releases

Miami, Fla. – Today, Tues., March 14, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) will proudly announce that Dr. Bridgette Tate-Wyche – immediate past principal of Lillie C. Evans K-8 Center in Miami-Dade County, now principal at Miami Northwestern Senior High School – is among the nine winners of the Florida TaxWatch 2022-23 Principal Leadership Awards (PLA). Through the program, Dr. Tate-Wyche has also identified one deserving Lillie C. Evans K-8 Center student to receive a full two-year Florida Prepaid College Scholarship. 

 

Florida TaxWatch to Honor Indian Ridge School and Rosenwald Elementary School Principals with 2022-23 Principal Leadership Awards on Thurs., March 16

/ Categories: Releases

West Palm Beach, Fla. – On Thurs., March 16, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) will honor Indian Ridge School Principal Eugene Ford and Rosenwald Elementary School Principal Bruce Hightower with the Florida TaxWatch 2022-23 Principal Leadership Award (PLA), which identifies Florida’s most effective principals in high-risk K-12 public schools, recognizes and rewards their work, and promotes their transformational practices throughout the state. 

 

Florida TaxWatch Hosts Annual State of the Taxpayer Dinner

/ Categories: Releases

Tallahassee, Fla – Today, Florida TaxWatch is hosting its annual State of the Taxpayer Dinner, providing the opportunity for the state’s elected leaders and policymakers to speak directly to the interests of taxpayers. Once again, the event serves as a forum for Cabinet members, legislators, and key leaders to discuss critical issues that are impacting Florida families and businesses. 

Florida TaxWatch Evaluates Charge Card Fees on Consumer Transactions, Highlighting Growing Burden Placed on Retailers and Taxpayers

/ Categories: Releases

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released An Inappropriate Cost of Doing Business: Paying the Interchange Fee on Sales Tax for Credit Card Purchases. In the commentary, FTW evaluates interchange fees, or “swipe fees,” that businesses are required to pay the processing company when a credit or debit card is used at their store’s payment terminal. The taxpayer research institute also assesses the sales tax-related implications of these transactional fees and considers how they may be addressed moving forward.

Florida TaxWatch Releases Quarterly Report for Broward SMART Program

/ Categories: Releases, BOC

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch released its review of the Broward County School District's Safety, Music & Art, Athletics, Renovations and Technology (SMART) program in its report Monitoring and Oversight of General Obligation Bonds to Improve Broward County Schools: SMART Program Quarterly Report Review for the Quarter Ended December 31, 2022.   

Florida TaxWatch’s Annual State of the Taxpayer Dinner to be Held TOMORROW, Tues., March 14, at the August B. Turnbull III Conference Center in Tallahassee

/ Categories: Releases

Tallahassee, Fla. – With the recent start of Florida’s 2023 Legislative Session, Florida TaxWatch is once again hosting its annual State of the Taxpayer Dinner on Tues., March 14 at 6 p.m. Held at the Augustus B. Turnbull III Conference Center in Tallahassee, the program will offer the state’s elected leaders and policymakers the opportunity to speak directly to the interests of hard-working taxpayers and their families.

TOMORROW: Florida TaxWatch to Honor Lillie C. Evans K-8 Center Immediate Past Principal Dr. Bridgette Tate-Wyche with 2022-23 Principal Leadership Award

/ Categories: Releases

Miami, Fla. – On Tues., March 14, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) will honor Dr. Bridgette Tate-Wyche – immediate past principal at Lillie C. Evans K-8 Center in Miami-Dade County, now principal at Miami Northwestern Senior High School – with the Florida TaxWatch 2022-23 Principal Leadership Award (PLA), which identifies Florida’s most effective principals in high-risk K-12 public schools, recognizes and rewards their work, and promotes their transformational practices throughout the state. 

Florida TaxWatch’s Annual State of the Taxpayer Dinner to be Held Tues., March 14 at the August B. Turnbull III Conference Center in Tallahassee

/ Categories: Releases

Tallahassee, Fla. – With the recent start of Florida’s 2023 Legislative Session, Florida TaxWatch is once again hosting its annual State of the Taxpayer Dinner on Tues., March 14 at 6 p.m. Held at the Augustus B. Turnbull III Conference Center in Tallahassee, the program will offer the state’s elected leaders and policymakers the opportunity to speak directly to the interests of hard-working taxpayers and their families.

Florida TaxWatch Analyzes Compensation and Workplace Issues in the Offices of State Attorneys and Public Defenders

/ Categories: Releases

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released Why Taxpayers Should Care About Workforce Instability with Florida’s Public Defenders and State Attorneys. This report builds on FTW’S previous research, Improving State Attorney and Public Defender Budget Process and Targeting Salary Increases Will Help Achieve Revision 7 Goals- Reduce Trial Lawyer Turnover (February 2004) and When It Costs More To Pay Less(March 2014), to present an updated analysis of how low salaries, heavy caseloads, limited work flexibility, and high turnover rates among assistant state attorneys (ASAs) and assistant public defenders (APDs) impact these critical positions and the Florida taxpayers they serve. Both previous reports successfully led to more competitive salaries and reduced turnover in these offices.

POLICY STUDIES ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT Be Prepared: Using Florida’s Natural Infrastructure to Combat Climate Change

/ Categories: Research, Releases

Florida has a diverse and beautiful natural environment, ranging from the Everglades to the beaches of the Florida panhandle. The state is also vulnerable to a variety of extreme weather events, such as flooding and hurricanes, which are projected to become more severe in the coming decades due to climate change. Protecting the state against these events could be a costly undertaking. Various proposals seek to minimize the risks through new infrastructure projects such as sea walls. But in deciding how best to adapt to extreme weather risk, Florida should be sure to consider using the state’s “natural infrastructure” to protect itself in a less costly and more sustainable way.

Florida TaxWatch Announces Taxpayer Priorities for 2023 Legislative Session

/ Categories: Releases

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch released a list of taxpayer priorities for the 2023 Legislative Session, which begins on Tues., March 7 and is scheduled to adjourn on Fri., May 5. The list reflects a range of issues that the independent, nonpartisan taxpayer research institute has examined and will continue to closely monitor during the upcoming session. 

*INTERESTED MEDIA* FLORIDA TAXWATCH LETTER TO STATE SEN. JAY COLLINS ON TAMPA BAY PILOTS ASSOCIATION REQUEST FOR INCREASE IN PILOTAGE FEES

/ Categories: Releases

Please find below a letter from Florida TaxWatch President and CEO, Dominic M. Calabro, sent to state Sen. Jay Collins (R-Tampa), related to the senator’s request that the government watchdog review the Tampa Bay Pilots Association’s request for an increase in pilotage fees prior to the Pilotage Rate Review Committee’s meeting on Thurs., March 2. 

Florida TaxWatch Analyzes Benefits of Extending State Group Insurance to Florida College System

/ Categories: Releases

Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released Extending State Group Insurance to the Florida College System Case Study: Indian River State College. In this briefing, FTW analyzes the benefits of extending the State Group Insurance Program (SGIP) to the 28 colleges that comprise the Florida College System (FCS). Citing a December 2021 Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) study, FTW states that offering this defined benefit program – where the employee pays a fixed amount toward the monthly premium (for individual or family coverage) and the state pays the remainder – would be an investment in the continued development of Florida’s specialized workforce.

12345678910Last