Legislature Should Reduce Florida's Communications Services Tax

/ Categories: Research, Budget/Approps, Economic Development, Taxes, Local Government
This Briefing looks at the history of the CST in Florida, compares Florida's rates to other states, finding that Florida is the fourth-highest state in the U.S. for this tax, and recommends that the Legislature look to reduce CST rates to "benefit a wide range of Floridians, affecting virtually all individuals and businesses."

Modernizing the FRS: Switching to a Defined Contribution Plan

/ Categories: Research, Budget/Approps, Taxes, Retirement
Due primarily to its substantial and unpredictable long-term costs, the Florida TaxWatch Government Cost Saving Task Force has made recommendations to reform the current Florida Retirement System (FRS) for the past several years. Given the complexity of this issue, this Report is a further expansion, clarification, and reinforcement of these recommendations.

Aligning Postsecondary Education with Modern Employment Needs in Florida

/ Categories: Research, Economic Development, Education
To address the steps that Florida has taken and should continue to take to match our graduates to the industries that need a workforce with skill-specific education, this Briefing looks at two aspects of the issue: how the right degree can make a difference in lifetime earning potential, and how Florida's Supply and Demand Portal can help students and employers achieve their goals.

Economic Commentary - Florida's 2012 Job Growth

/ Categories: Research, Taxes
This month's Economic Commentary focuses on job growth in Florida during 2012. The analysis shows that Florida has continued its recovery from its most recent recession, showing strong job creation in a significant number of sectors.

Investing in Tourism: the Economic Impact of Expanding Florida Tourism

/ Categories: Research, Budget/Approps, Economic Development, Taxes, Local Government, Tourism
The economic modeling done in this Report, looking at the impact of investing more in Florida's tourism industry, indicates that the Florida tourism industry reaching the milestone of 100 million annual visitors would create 121,298 jobs, and increase overall personal income for Floridians by $5.3 billion.

Government Cost Savings Task Force Report for FY2013-14

Continuing a legacy that has resulted in the savings of at least $3.5 billion in Floridians' hard-earned tax dollars over the last four years alone, Florida TaxWatch added more than $1 billion in cost-saving options for lawmakers this year, with the release of this Report. This year's Report is the fifth in as many years from Florida TaxWatch, the independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute and government watchdog headquartered in Tallahassee.

Economic Commentary- Florida's Space Coast: Recovery and the Future

/ Categories: Research, Economic Development
This month's Economic Commentary focuses on the aerospace industry in Florida following the closure of the Space Shuttle program at NASA. According to Enterprise Florida, the state ranks 2nd nationally for aviation, aerospace, and space establishments, employing some 83,200 Floridians, and providing a significant amount of the high tech manufacturing jobs in the state. With private and tourist-centered space travel on the very near horizon, the Commentary looks at what Florida is doing to keep this vital sector active in the Sunshine State.
First4850Last
«March 2026»
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
2324252627281
2345678
9101112131415
16171819
Building The Force: An Analysis of Florida’s Law Enforcement Apprenticeship Program (LEAP)

Building The Force: An Analysis of Florida’s Law Enforcement Apprenticeship Program (LEAP)

Florida’s Law Enforcement Apprenticeship Program (LEAP) is an innovative workforce solution addressing persistent staffing shortages in law enforcement, particularly in rural and fiscally constrained communities. Backed by $3.25 million in state funding, the program currently supports 117 apprentices across 25 Sheriff’s Offices, allowing participants to earn a salary while completing required training. By removing financial barriers to entry, LEAP is expanding access to law enforcement careers, strengthening local recruitment pipelines, and helping agencies improve staffing levels while building a more diverse and sustainable workforce.

Read more
20
Florida Economic Forecast 2025 - 2035

Florida Economic Forecast 2025 - 2035

Florida's economy reached $1.85 trillion in Q3 2025, ranking first among all 50 states and the District of Columbia in economic growth. This fourth installment of Florida TaxWatch's quarterly economic forecast series — produced in partnership with the Regional Economic Consulting Group — examines whether that momentum is sustainable through 2035.

Read more
2122
23242526272829
303112345

Archive