Constitutionally-Charged Government Efficiency Task Force Announces Final Recommendations To Improve Government Processes and Save Crucial Tax Dollars
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Yesterday, the Florida Government Efficiency Task Force (GETF) approved its final report, which outlines 29 recommendations that would improve government operations while saving hard-working Florida taxpayers’ money. The potential cost-savings the state could realize if these recommendations were implemented could exceed $2 billion annually.
"The recommendations contained in the 2015 Government Efficiency Task Force Final Report issued today were developed by the 15-member Task Force over the past ten months. These twenty-nine recommendations, if implemented, will lead to over $2 billion in cost-savings for the taxpayers of Florida as well as improving the functions of our state government," said Task Force Chairman John R Alexander. "I strongly urge the Florida Legislature to enact these recommendations and Governor Scott to approve them so that together we can ensure that our state remains the best state in the Union to live, work and play."
“As the Vice Chairman of the Government Efficiency Task Force, I’m pleased with our final report. The recommendations detailed in this report will serve the Florida Legislature well in determining how to move our state forward during the 2017 Legislative Session,” said State Representative and GETF Vice Chairman Dan Raulerson. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Legislature to improve our state government for the betterment of Florida residents.”
The highlights of the 29 recommendations include enacting an annual Florida Government Efficiency Act, conducting an operational review of the Florida Department of Corrections, smarter sentencing for low-level non-violent offenders and removing barriers to the use of telehealth strategies.
“No matter where you stand politically, everyone agrees that taxpayers deserve a government that works effectively and efficiently. The constitutionally-created Task Force finds that the implementation of these recommendations would markedly improve the way government works and should save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars,” said Florida TaxWatch President and CEO, member of GETF and chairman of the GETF Government Efficiency Committee Dominic M. Calabro. “The savings realized by implementing these recommendations could be reinvested in our children’s education, reforming our justice system, improving health care outcomes for those in need, economic development and a myriad of other crucial policy issues that need attention.”
“The final report from the Government Efficiency Task Force is a blueprint for the Florida Legislature to follow in order to make government work for the hard-working taxpayers of Florida. We hear a lot about how policymakers want to improve the functions of government. This report gives lawmakers exactly what they need to accomplish this challenging, yet obtainable, goal,” said member of the GETF and Florida TaxWatch chairman Michelle Robinson. “These recommendations will improve government operations and give taxpayers greater comfort that their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent wisely by their state government.”
The improvement of government processes is a key issue for Florida TaxWatch as well as the basis for the Florida TaxWatch Center for Government Efficiency. TaxWatch applauds the efforts of the GETF for putting together a thorough and comprehensive report that incorporates various recommendations aimed at improving the lives of all Floridians. We look forward to having the Florida Legislature consider these recommendations during the 2017 Legislative Session.
The GETF was created through a Constitutional amendment in 2006 for the purpose of developing recommendations to improve governmental operations and reduce costs. First established in 2007, the Task Force is required to meet every four years and submit its recommendations to the Governor, Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Legislative Budget Commission and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The Task Force is composed of 15 members of the Florida Legislature, in addition to representatives from the private and public sectors who are appointed by the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate.
The Government Efficiency Task Force final report and recommendations can be read here.