Florida TaxWatch Briefing Urges Florida Legislature to “Pump the Brakes” on University Merger Proposal
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released its latest briefing, HB 7087 — Proposed Merger of SUS Institutions warning against a legislative proposal in the Florida House of Representatives to merge Florida Polytechnic University and New College of Florida with the University of Florida.
Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro said, “As we did immediately following HB 7087’s recent introduction, Florida TaxWatch today again urges the Florida Legislature to ‘pump the brakes’ on this proposal. It is unclear whether the risk of compromising the unique nature and mission of New College and Florida Polytechnic University justifies the alleged cost savings of the proposed mergers and too late in the 2020 Legislative Session to put due thought and consideration into this important issue. Florida TaxWatch recommends HB 7087 be withdrawn from consideration and further studied until the questions regarding cost savings from the proposed mergers and their effects on achieving the state’s economic and workforce goals can be answered.”
You can read the full briefing HERE.
About Florida TaxWatch
As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit government watchdog and taxpayer research institute for more than forty years and the trusted eyes and ears of Florida taxpayers, 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 its membership via 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 www.floridataxwatch.org.
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