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. "
"This report, written independently of Florida TaxWatch, makes the case for policy that will rein in spending while promoting economic growth and incentivizing job creation in the private sector. "
Jobs and tax revenues would be affected by the passage of amendment 4. Numerous other unintended consequences are analyzed in this report.
Amendment 4 would require that voters approve changes to their local comprehensive land use plans. Some consider this a dangerous case of 'hyper-democracy.'
"This report, written independently of Florida TaxWatch, details the salient points of each of these amendments before making recommendations. "
Each candidate elaborates on their educational philosophy on issues ranging from accountability to curriculum to merit pay for teachers.
"This report analyzes three of the six proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution. Those amendments focus on ad valorem tax credit for deployed military personnel, comprehensive land use plans, and revision of class size requirements for public schools. "
"Written independently of Florida TaxWatch, this report explains why high schools must put a premium on teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics"
"Facing an estimated $5 billion to $6 billion shortfall, lawmakers faced some tough decisions. This report examines sources of general revenue and their impact. "
"Sales taxes, corporate income taxes, and medical and hospital fees are scrutinized for the revenue each is likely to provide to lawmakers."
"Budget drivers such as Medicaid, school enrollment and voluntary pre-K are examined in this report which explores the budget shortfall facing the 2011 legislature. "
Implementing the class Size reduction amendment has proven to be very expensive. This report details how it could get more expensive and explains measures that could lower the cost.
"Florida currently ranks 11th nationally for solar market attractiveness. This report outlines employment opportunities in the field, federal incentives for solar investment, and looks to projected future growth."
"A large number of projects known as 'turkeys' found their way into the state budget, despite a looming budget shortfall considered the biggest ever. "