More States Are Using State-Level Tax Credits to Address Workforce and Affordable Housing Deficits More States Are Using State-Level Tax Credits to Address Workforce and Affordable Housing Deficits

More States Are Using State-Level Tax Credits to Address Workforce and Affordable Housing Deficits

Florida Should Consider These Incentives

/ Categories: Research, Housing Affordability

This Florida TaxWatch report highlights a severe affordable housing crisis in Florida, where rising housing costs and a limited supply of affordable units place significant financial and social burdens on low-income families and essential workers. It advocates for the adoption of state-level tax credits to supplement federal programs, thereby incentivizing the construction of affordable housing, stimulating local economies, and reducing public costs.

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Social Determinants of Health: Neighborhood and Built Environment Social Determinants of Health: Neighborhood and Built Environment

Social Determinants of Health: Neighborhood and Built Environment

/ Categories: Research, Housing Affordability, Institute of Quality Health and Aging,

Florida TaxWatch's latest report looks into how neighborhood and built environment factors significantly affect community health. The analysis highlights the impact of poor housing conditions, overcrowding, and limited access to essential resources like healthcare and healthy food, which elevate the risk of chronic illnesses and mental health challenges. Unsafe neighborhoods and environmental hazards also disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. The report underscores the need for strategic community investments to improve health outcomes and economic stability, advocating for healthier and safer environments that can lead to reduced healthcare costs.

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2024 Update: Long-Term Rental Markets In Florida 2024 Update: Long-Term Rental Markets In Florida

2024 Update: Long-Term Rental Markets In Florida

/ Categories: Research, Housing Affordability, Tourism

This Florida TaxWatch commentary highlights the imbalance between the demand and supply of rental units in the state, leading to rising rental costs. The document notes significant increases in rental prices since the pandemic, with specific emphasis on metropolitan areas like Miami, Tampa, and Jacksonville. It also addresses the impact of these rising costs on Florida's workforce and economy, including the implications for cost-burdened households. The paper further examines state-to-state migration trends, particularly focusing on Florida residents moving to Georgia for more affordable housing options. The overall narrative suggests a complex interplay between economic factors, housing market dynamics, and demographic shifts in Florida's rental market.

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The Impact of Unlicensed Vacation Rentals on Florida's Economy The Impact of Unlicensed Vacation Rentals on Florida's Economy

The Impact of Unlicensed Vacation Rentals on Florida's Economy

/ Categories: Research, Housing Affordability, Tourism

"Unlicensed Vacation Rentals: An Analysis of Florida's Tourism-Driven Economy" provides an in-depth analysis of the unlicensed vacation rental market in Florida. It highlights the significant impact these rentals have on the state's tourism economy, including issues of tax evasion, safety concerns, and unfair competitive advantages over licensed properties. The research reveals a notable prevalence of unlicensed rentals in Florida, which, in 2022, constituted a significant proportion of the state’s temporary public lodging units. The study brings to light how operators of these unlicensed rentals often circumvent tax obligations, thus negatively impacting the state's revenue and creating an unlevel playing field in the tourism sector. This paper includes recommendations for stricter enforcement of licensing regulations, improved transparency in rental operations, and more efficient tax collection mechanisms to address these challenges. The paper serves as a critical resource for policymakers, business owners in the tourism sector, and tax authorities, providing essential insights to inform decisions and strategies aimed at ensuring a fair and regulated tourism industry in Florida.

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The Impacts of Impact Fees on the Cost of Housing The Impacts of Impact Fees on the Cost of Housing

The Impacts of Impact Fees on the Cost of Housing

/ Categories: Research, Economic Development, Housing Affordability

Two main drivers of Florida’s economy are tourism and real estate development. With an estimated 1,000 people moving to Florida every day, real estate development puts a strain on public facilities (e.g., roads, water and wastewater system, etc.) and services (e.g., police, fire protection, parks, etc.). Local governments rely on impact fees to generate the money necessary to accommodate the impacts of new development on existing public facilities and services.

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Florida’s Housing Market: Trends of Supply and Demand Florida’s Housing Market: Trends of Supply and Demand

Florida’s Housing Market: Trends of Supply and Demand

/ Categories: Research, Housing Affordability

As Florida continues to grow, the development of infrastructure (e.g., roads, water and wastewater systems, parks, etc.) must keep pace. In January 2023, Florida TaxWatch released “Economic Commentary: An Update on Florida’s Housing Rental Market,” which evaluated the troubles Florida has experienced with the ever-rising cost of rent. In Florida, the cost of rent has jumped by 36 percent since 2020, with much of the increase occurring in 2021 alone.

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4/3/2025
The What, Why, and How of the Florida TaxWatch Budget Turkey Watch Report

The What, Why, and How of the Florida TaxWatch Budget Turkey Watch Report

Florida TaxWatch’s annual Budget Turkey Watch Report for 2025 meticulously examines the state budget to identify appropriations that deviate from sound fiscal management principles. Below is an expanded overview of what Budget Turkeys are, why they are identified, and how they are determined.

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4/4/2025
Using Microelectronic Sensors to Continuously Monitor Vertical Infrastructure

Using Microelectronic Sensors to Continuously Monitor Vertical Infrastructure

This Florida TaxWatch report explores how microelectronic smart sensor networks can proactively monitor vertical infrastructure to detect issues such as structural fatigue, corrosion, or damage before they lead to catastrophic failures, as seen in the 2021 Champlain Towers South collapse (98 deaths) and the 2018 Florida International University pedestrian bridge collapse (6 deaths).

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4/9/2025
The Voter Guide for the City of North Port’s May 13, 2025 Referendum

The Voter Guide for the City of North Port’s May 13, 2025 Referendum

The City of North Port, Florida's second fastest growing city in the United States, faces significant challenges from rapid urbanization, population growth, and ongoing recovery from Hurricane Ian's devastating impact in 2022. This Florida TaxWatch report examines the implications of the May 13, 2025 special election referendum, which asks voters to decide on several critical municipal issues.

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1011
4/11/2025
Fair Share Taxes Driven Away by Electric Vehicles

Fair Share Taxes Driven Away by Electric Vehicles

Proposed solutions include redistributing a portion of the sales tax collected at EV charging stations to the STTF and adopting a hybrid approach that combines higher registration fees with targeted EV taxes. These proposals aim to ensure that all drivers contribute their “fair share” toward maintaining Florida’s transportation infrastructure in the face of rapid technological change.

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4/14/2025
Extending the Local Communication Services Tax Increase Moratorium and a Sales Tax Exemption for Broadband Equipment Should be Part of Any Tax Relief Package this Session

Extending the Local Communication Services Tax Increase Moratorium and a Sales Tax Exemption for Broadband Equipment Should be Part of Any Tax Relief Package this Session

Florida TaxWatch's CST and Broadband Equipment report examines the impact of the high Communications Services Tax (CST) on broadband infrastructure investment and consumer expenses. The report details how Florida’s current CST ranks among the highest in the nation and explores its effects on both businesses and low-income households, who are particularly vulnerable to the disproportionate burden of such taxes on essential wireless services.

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4/21/2025
Taxpayer Independence Day 2025

Taxpayer Independence Day 2025

Florida TaxWatch’s Florida Taxpayer Independence Day 2025 report commemorates the symbolic April 21 date when the average Floridian has earned enough to satisfy all federal, state, and local tax obligations. In 2025, Floridians spend 110 days—until 11:24 a.m.—paying taxes each year before they begin earning for themselves.

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