"For more than a decade, Florida's economy has marched to a different tune than the U.S. economy. This commentary explains why that's the case and what it means for the future. "
This commentary compares the value of the U.S. dollar with the currencies of our primary trading partners. Recent years have shown considerable fluctuation.
2011 list sorted by county (excel)
2011 list (excel)
"Despite this being a tight budget year, a large number of projects known as 'turkeys' found their way into the state budget. "
This report shows how Florida's system of funding the capital outlays of educational facilities is complex and subject to fluctuation by circumstances unrelated to need.
Diverting juvenile offenders from the traditional juvenile justice model is paying big dividends in public safety and savings. This report shows how some counties are going about this and why others should create their own civil citation programs.
Florida's prison population is growing while public safety is diminishing. This report outlines the reasons for this discrepancy and shows how other states are dealing with similar issues.
"This symbolic date assumes that every dollar earned since January 1 goes to pay federal, state, and local tax obligations. "
This report delves into the salary structure and varied job titles of communications workers and legislative affairs employees.
Florida's window of opportunity to become a leader in solar and renewable energy manufacturing is rapidly closing. This briefing details the status quo and what needs to be done to make the state competitive with those states that have done more in the clean energy field.
"Putting the 'sun' in Sunshine State, this report examines steps already taken in solar energy and what impact further steps would have on the Florida economic outlook. "
"From corporate tax to personal income tax to property tax, this report shows how Florida compares to southeastern states as well as the nation. "
The high cost of unemployment hit the state coffers hard. This report shows what happens when the state paid out more in unemployment benefits than it collected in the trust fund used to provide benefits to jobless Floridians.
"Just weeks after being sworn in as governor, Rick Scott released his first budget which called for several billion dollars in spending cuts and the layoff of thousands of state workers. "
Florida receives less money in federal grants to state and local governments than nearly every other state. This report examines the reasons why the Florida pays more than it gets back.
"Many current correctional systems operate under policy decisions made decades ago, a leading factor in persistently high recidivism rates. This report shows how private sector involvement could be the key to improved inmate outcomes. "
(From Ideas in Action: verbatim transcript of Jan. 2011 inaugural address)
The Task Force provides a compilation of 125 extensively researched recommendations aimed at achieving major cost-savings and cost containment in many areas of state government.
Florida's incarceration of children is excessively high and is actually making citizens more vulnerable. This report offers some proven paths toward improving the system.
A virtual handbook for 'How-to-be-a-Governor' this publication details key issues facing the state's chief executive and includes advice from former governors as well as their key aides.
The timing of the oil spill could not have been worse for NW Florida retailers and this analysis shows how those retail losses cascaded through other economic sectors in the region.
"As fossil fuels dwindle, attention turns to renewable energy sources. As this report shows, some of those clean energy sources are more popular than others. "
"As fossil fuels dwindle, attention turns to renewable energy sources. As this report shows, some of those clean energy sources are more popular than others. "