Statement on the Release of Florida's Fiscal Year 2017-18 Budget

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -

Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro released the following statement following the release of Florida's fiscal year 2017-18 budget -

"With the release of the fiscal year 2017-18 budget, lawmakers now have 72 hours to read the final proposed budget prior to voting. Florida TaxWatch played an instrumental role in the enactment of the constitutionally required 72 hour "cooling off" period. This allows the public, press and legislators ample time to examine the budget before a vote is cast. The $82.418 billion state budget will fund various state agencies and critical services for all Floridians.

"As Florida's top government watchdog, Florida TaxWatch will be reviewing the budget for any appropriations that made it into the budget during closed-door budget negotiations or bypassed proper competitive selection processes. These "budget turkeys" skirt the budgeting process, diminishing transparency and accountability.

"Many legislative leaders have stated throughout session that all projects will be vetted in transparent and accountable manner before being inserted in the budget and there will be no new items added in during conference. We hope that this is the case, but our professional team will scour every line in the 451-page budget to independently verify this for Florida's hardworking taxpayers."

To review the budget turkey criteria that Florida TaxWatch utilizes in our report, click here.