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"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. "
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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.
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This commentary shows how Florida fared relative to the rest of the nation after the Standard & Poors downgrade of the U.S credit rating.
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"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. "
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"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. "
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"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. "
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"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. "
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This commentary compares the value of the U.S. dollar with the currencies of our primary trading partners. Recent years have shown considerable fluctuation.
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2011 list sorted by county (excel)
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2011 list (excel)
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"Despite this being a tight budget year, a large number of projects known as 'turkeys' found their way into the state budget. "
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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.
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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.
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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.
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"This symbolic date assumes that every dollar earned since January 1 goes to pay federal, state, and local tax obligations. "
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This report delves into the salary structure and varied job titles of communications workers and legislative affairs employees.
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Florida's window of opportunity to become a leader in solar and renewable energy manufacturing is rapidly closing. This briefing details the status quo and what needs to be done to make the state competitive with those states that have done more in the clean energy field.
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"Putting the 'sun' in Sunshine State, this report examines steps already taken in solar energy and what impact further steps would have on the Florida economic outlook. "
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"From corporate tax to personal income tax to property tax, this report shows how Florida compares to southeastern states as well as the nation. "
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The high cost of unemployment hit the state coffers hard. This report shows what happens when the state paid out more in unemployment benefits than it collected in the trust fund used to provide benefits to jobless Floridians.
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"Just weeks after being sworn in as governor, Rick Scott released his first budget which called for several billion dollars in spending cuts and the layoff of thousands of state workers. "
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Florida receives less money in federal grants to state and local governments than nearly every other state. This report examines the reasons why the Florida pays more than it gets back.
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"Many current correctional systems operate under policy decisions made decades ago, a leading factor in persistently high recidivism rates. This report shows how private sector involvement could be the key to improved inmate outcomes. "
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(From Ideas in Action: verbatim transcript of Jan. 2011 inaugural address)
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