Florida TaxWatch breaks down Florida's $89.313 billion Budget via new interactive guide

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, Florida TaxWatch released the Taxpayers' Budget Guide to the FY2018-19 state budget, which went into effect July 1, 2018.

The 2018 Florida Legislature, after deducting the Governor’s vetoes, appropriated $89.313 billion, a $4.360 billion (5.1 percent) increase over the current year and the largest spending total in the state’s history.
 
“As a business person and a taxpayer, I believe it is critical for Floridians to understand where their tax dollars are going,” said Florida TaxWatch Chairman David Mann. “I am honored to lead Florida’s premier government watchdog and to present this annually produced report that keeps taxpayers informed and holds government accountable.”
 
“Now more than ever, taxpayers should be encouraged to hold government officials accountable,” said Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro. “As Florida’s nonpartisan trusted eyes and ears for nearly forty years, it is our duty and honor to provide timely comprehensive research to improve citizen understanding. This interactive guide is the quintessential resource for Florida taxpayers to understand what is in the budget .”
 
The FY18-19 budget contains $32.9 billion in general revenue, $31.5 billion in federal funds, and $24.9 billion in state trust funds.
 
The program areas that received the largest appropriations were:
Health and Human Services ($37.215 billion)
Education ($25.796 billion), including $400 million for school safety in the wake of the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Broward County, and $123.5 million to increase financial aid for higher education
Transportation($10.83 billion)
 
“Vital spending to respond to the Stoneman Douglas school shooting and Hurricane Irma contributed to the 5.1 percent increase in state spending,” said Florida TaxWatch Vice President of Research Kurt Wenner. “But this year’s budget includes also includes 517 member projects worth more than $560 million, many of which are certainly not vital.”.
 
The report also provides historical insight to taxpayers, showing how state spending has changed over the years.
 
Access the interactive 2018-19 Taxpayers’ Budget Guide here.
 
 
About Florida TaxWatch
 
As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit government watchdog & taxpayer research institute for nearly forty years, Florida TaxWatch works to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government. Its research recommends productivity enhancements and explains the statewide impact of fiscal and economic policies and practices on citizens and businesses.
 
Florida TaxWatch is supported by voluntary, tax-deductible donations and private grants, and does not accept government funding. Donations provide a solid, lasting foundation that has enabled Florida TaxWatch to bring about a more effective, responsive government that is more accountable to, and productive for, the citizens it serves since 1979. For more information, please visit http://www.floridataxwatch.org.