The Cost of Inaction on The Everglades Monday, April 17, 2017 / Categories: Research, Energy/Environment, Tourism Currently more than eight million South Florida residents, almost one-third of the state’s population, directly rely on the Everglades system for freshwater supply. This report examines the cost of the status quo. Read more
Budget Watch - The Zika Virus Will Place Additional Strain on the Next State Budget Wednesday, November 9, 2016 / Categories: Research, Budget/Approps, Energy/Environment, Tourism In addition to the serious public health risk for Floridians, the Zika virus is also creating risk for the already tight state budget outlook for next year. Read more
Budget Watch - 2016-17 Legislative Budget Requests Thursday, October 29, 2015 / Categories: Research, Budget/Approps, Education, Energy/Environment, Health Care, Corrections/Judicial, Transportation, Retirement Florida’s state government agencies have requested $77.835 billion in funding from the Legislature for FY2016-17, which is $1.2 billion (1.6 percent) more than these agencies are expected to spend in the current year. The total request is made up of $29.481 billion in general revenue (GR) and $48.354 billion in trust funds. The GR request is an increase of $854.5 million (3.0 percent). The latest revenue estimates forecast $31.653 billion in GR will be available for FY2016-17 meaning that the agency requests would leave GR reserves of $2 billion. Read more
Squeezing the Greening out of Florida Citrus Wednesday, May 20, 2015 / Categories: Research, Energy/Environment Florida's world-renowned, $10 billion citrus industry is an important sector of the state economy, providing thousands of jobs and capital to agricultural regions. As the nation's largest supplier of citrus, the success of this industry is vital to Florida's diversified economy. Read more
An Analysis of the Florida Municipal Power Agency Audit Sunday, March 29, 2015 / Categories: Research, Energy/Environment, Cost Savings The Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) was established in 1978 to provide competitively priced, reliable power and value-added services for its member municipalities. Concern over higher rates has caused some FMPA member municipalities to “break ranks” in pursuit of lower power rates. This report looks at the FMPA, and the oversight, or lack thereof, that currently exists. Read more