Reducing skyrocketing health care costs in Florida while maintaining effectiveness is becoming a top priority. This report considers whether expanding the role of the Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner would make a viable difference.
The Tangible Personal Property Tax raises nearly $2 billion annually for state government but many believe its benefits are offset by the cost to Florida businesses and a lack of uniformity in its application to taxpayers across the state. This report recommends a constitutional amendment to give the Legislature flexibility in administering the tax.
"This Economic Commentary examines the state's wide range of business incubators, which are designed to provide small companies with business support during their formative stages. New incubators are now in the works with the goal of helping Florida create and retain jobs. "
The "Download" link below will take you to an interactive page offering a county by county breakdown showing wide range of data relating to population, income, tax revenues and expenditures.
"This report compares the revenue and expenditure profiles of Florida's 67 counties to provide taxpayers an overview of how their local governments compare with the rest of the state's. While the focus is on county and municipal governments, there is information on all types of local jurisdictions, including special districts and school districts. "
The Task Force provides a compilation of 135 extensively researched recommendations aimed at achieving major cost-savings and cost containment in many areas of state government.
"Specific areas of Palm Beach County government and the management of taxpayer dollars are the focus of this report. Also noted, are significant opportunities for improvement in the management and utilization of specific assets. "
"This report, written independently of Florida TaxWatch, outlines the critical elements and a strategic roadmap to achieve sustainable government transformation. "
"From Gatorade to the chemotherapy drug Taxol, some of the nation's most recognizable inventions are from Florida's University system. This report shows how the process works and which universities account for the most inventions. "
"Citrus and beaches define Florida's image, but manufacturing must play a major role to ease Florida's move into the global economy. This report examines barriers to manufacturing growth and recommends changes to the state's economic development policy. "
The past is indeed prologue when it comes to forecasting Florida's economic outlook. This report shows how past recessions hint at how the recovery is likely to play out.
This commentary shows how Florida fared relative to the rest of the nation after the Standard & Poors downgrade of the U.S credit rating.
"This report explores the wide-ranging ramifications of regulations: We need the protection they provide, but the costs of such regulations could restrict business development. "
"This report, written independently of Florida TaxWatch, defines the necessity of improving the state's voluntary pre-K program. Weaknesses in the current programs are scrutinized and solutions are proposed. "
"As this commentary shows us, reverberations from the volatile economies of the Euro Zone could have a chilling effect on some of Florida's most precious commodities. "
"For more than a decade, Florida's economy has marched to a different tune than the U.S. economy. This commentary explains why that's the case and what it means for the future. "
This commentary compares the value of the U.S. dollar with the currencies of our primary trading partners. Recent years have shown considerable fluctuation.
2011 list sorted by county (excel)
2011 list (excel)
"Despite this being a tight budget year, a large number of projects known as 'turkeys' found their way into the state budget. "
This report shows how Florida's system of funding the capital outlays of educational facilities is complex and subject to fluctuation by circumstances unrelated to need.
Diverting juvenile offenders from the traditional juvenile justice model is paying big dividends in public safety and savings. This report shows how some counties are going about this and why others should create their own civil citation programs.
Florida's prison population is growing while public safety is diminishing. This report outlines the reasons for this discrepancy and shows how other states are dealing with similar issues.