The Florida TaxWatch report reveals the substantial economic and educational contributions of Indian River State College (IRSC) to Florida's Treasure Coast and the broader state economy. IRSC, recognized for its affordability and high-quality programs, plays a pivotal role in workforce development through its extensive certificate and degree offerings. The report emphasizes the college's efforts in minimizing student debt and enhancing job readiness through strategic partnerships with businesses and local schools. Economically, IRSC creates over 15,000 jobs annually and generates a significant economic output, with every dollar spent translating into a substantial return for the Florida economy. This analysis serves as a crucial resource for understanding the intersection of education and economic growth, and the strategic role of community colleges like IRSC in fostering regional economic development.
|
Florida's revenue forecast has been updated, adding $2 billion more to the state's budget for the next two years. This is the ninth consecutive increase, driven by strong investment earnings, sales taxes, and corporate income taxes. Despite earlier predictions of slowed growth, revenues continue to exceed expectations, but there are potential risks on the horizon.
|
2024 Update
Florida faces a critical teacher shortage, ranking 50th in teacher pay nationwide. Our briefing reveals alarming trends: 10% of courses lack properly certified teachers, and teacher pay has dropped 15.7% in real terms over the past decade. With Florida needing 9.7% more teachers by 2031, the state's educational future hangs in the balance. Our comprehensive report explores the root causes of this crisis, from inadequate compensation to mounting stress, and examines recent policy actions. More importantly, it offers concrete solutions to attract and retain quality educators.
|
Florida TaxWatch is pleased to present taxpayers with a guide to the FY2024-25 state budget, which went into effect July 1, 2024. The 2024 Legislature appropriated a total of $118.6 billion for FY2024-25. This Budget Guide includes all appropriations for the new fiscal year— the General Appropriations Act (GAA), “back-of-the-bill” spending, and appropriations made in general bills—net of the Governor’s vetoes.
|
Explore the latest insights from Florida TaxWatch's "Property Insurance Briefing" as it delves into the complexities of Florida's property insurance market amidst the 2024 hurricane season. This report examines the instability caused by soaring premiums, driven by litigation and hurricane damages, and discusses the role of Citizens Property Insurance as a critical safety net for over a million Floridians. Highlighting legislative efforts to stabilize the market and initiatives like home hardening to reduce costs, this briefing is essential for anyone affected by or interested in Florida's property insurance challenges. Download the full report for a comprehensive analysis and actionable solutions.
|
Q3 (2023-2024)
The Q3 2024 Broward Bond Oversight report highlights significant progress in the SMART Program, with major advancements in technology, safety, and athletics in Broward County schools. All planned technology upgrades and safety projects are complete, improving the student-to-computer ratio and securing campuses. Despite these successes, challenges in renovations persist, with 29 projects likely to miss the October 2025 completion deadline. Leadership transitions and budget adjustments add further complexity. Florida TaxWatch plays a vital role in ensuring transparency and the efficient use of funds, continuing to oversee the program and provide recommendations to address ongoing challenges.
|
This report examines the social determinants of health (SDOH), underscoring that environmental and social factors are the primary determinants of health outcomes. Significant barriers to healthcare access include high insurance costs and a large uninsured population, contributing to Florida's low national ranking in healthcare access. Challenges are particularly acute in rural and low-income areas, with a notable dependence on emergency services by uninsured individuals, imposing considerable economic strains.
To address these issues, the report suggests expanding Medicaid eligibility to enhance access and reduce costs, promoting telehealth to connect urban and rural communities, increasing autonomy for nurse practitioners and physician assistants to alleviate physician shortages, and implementing the "Live Healthy Agenda" to elevate healthcare quality and access throughout Florida. These recommendations aim to catalyze systemic changes for a healthier, economically stable state.
|
Gain insights into Florida's future economic trends with Florida TaxWatch's latest report. Analyze projections on population trends, job growth, GDP, and the tourism sector's influence. This essential guide offers a strategic outlook crucial for anyone involved in Florida's economic planning or investment.
|
The Principal Leadership Awards Roundtable Summary highlights the contributions of 15 outstanding principals who have significantly influenced student achievement under challenging conditions. This document explores effective strategies in teacher retention, school culture, and community engagement, drawn from a roundtable discussion of award-winning principals. It offers practical insights and research-backed recommendations to enhance educational outcomes. Educators and leaders are encouraged to access and utilize this report to foster educational excellence across Florida.
|
An analysis of the transparency and accountability of the budget process
Florida TaxWatch is proud to present the 2024 Budget Turkey Watch Report, an annual independent review that has been a staple since 1983. This report scrutinizes the Florida FY2024-25 budget, identifying appropriations that bypass established legislative procedures. Known as Budget Turkeys, these appropriations often serve limited areas, are not core state functions, or circumvent competitive bidding and oversight.
|
In 2024, Floridians will spend an average of 107 days working to pay off their tax obligations. The state's total tax burden is estimated at $455 billion, with federal, state, and local taxes accounting for 71%, 15%, and 14%, respectively. Over the past decade, total taxes paid by Floridians have increased by 90%. Despite the challenges, Florida's state tax burden remains one of the lowest in the nation. Download the full report to learn more about the tax landscape in Florida.
|
This report analyzes the key aspects of the deal and identifies critical questions that local officials should consider before deciding whether the proposed ballpark is in the best interest of taxpayers.
The report does not draw conclusions on the merits of the deal but instead focuses on outlining the important factors that need to be weighed, such as the total public costs, the best use of public funds, and the fairness of the cost-sharing agreement. While the project is expected to generate significant economic impacts over 30 years, research shows that the benefits of publicly subsidized sports facilities are often overstated.
To learn more about this critical issue affecting the Tampa Bay region, download the full report for an in-depth, independent analysis.
|
"2020 Census Participation: How Florida Counties Compare," provides valuable insights into census participation across the state in 2020 and emphasizes the importance of securing a complete count in the upcoming 2030 Census.
The report examines key metrics, highlights the costly impacts of undercounts, and outlines actionable steps businesses and individuals can take now to support a complete count.
With Census Day 2030 approaching, the time to prepare is now. Download the full report to learn more and discover how you can help ensure Florida receives its fair share of federal funding and representation.
|
The 2024 Florida Legislative Session Wrap-Up offers a concise yet thorough review of the session's key outcomes. With a $117.5 billion budget, over $1 billion in tax relief, and nearly $10 billion in reserves, the Legislature addressed crucial issues in healthcare, education, insurance, and the environment. The report provides an insightful overview of the bills and budget items that passed, as well as notable legislation that failed to advance, making it an essential resource for understanding the current state of Florida policy and its implications for residents and taxpayers.
|
Q2 (2023-2024)
This report for the Broward Bond Oversight Committee offers an insightful overview of the SMART Program's achievements and challenges as it progresses into its tenth year. Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) remains committed to enhancing educational facilities, technology, safety, arts, and athletics through the strategic use of General Obligation Bond funds. Despite facing unforeseen challenges, the program is on track, with significant milestones reached in school safety enhancements and technology upgrades, ensuring an enriched learning environment for students. Financial oversight and community engagement are emphasized as key elements in maintaining transparency and accountability. As BCPS navigates through these complexities, the report underscores a collective effort towards fulfilling the promises made to the community, aiming for the complete execution of the SMART Program by October 31, 2025.
|
The Florida TaxWatch's 2024 Legislative Session Taxpayer Roundup report provides a comprehensive overview of significant tax legislation in Florida, highlighting nearly $1 billion in tax relief measures, including toll credits and potential property tax savings through a proposed constitutional amendment. Key successes include substantial tax cuts, sales tax holidays, and new tax credits aimed at supporting employment and child care.
|
The 2023 MakeMore Manufacturing Summit Report delves into the significance of digital transformation in Florida's manufacturing sector. It provides a comprehensive overview of current challenges, opportunities, and advancements within the industry, with a particular focus on the adoption of new technologies for enhanced value and profitability. Tailored for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and interested parties, the report highlights the summit's collaborative efforts to drive economic growth and job creation in Florida. It serves as a crucial resource for understanding the future direction of manufacturing in the state and underscores the importance of innovation and technology in maintaining competitive edge and fostering a robust manufacturing ecosystem.
|
The "Every Child A Swimmer" report by Florida TaxWatch highlights the high rates of child drownings in Florida, emphasizing the need for widespread swimming education and water safety measures. It advocates for legislative support to enhance water safety and prevent such incidents, stressing their economic and emotional impact.
|
This Florida TaxWatch blog examines labor market changes amid the Covid-19 pandemic, with a focus on the U.S. and Florida. It notes a national slowdown in job openings, with a stable 3.7% unemployment rate, contrasting with Florida's lower 2.9% rate and job gains in most sectors. The data suggests a cooling labor market, but not enough to significantly impact inflation. Despite Federal Reserve efforts to slow the economy, there are still more jobs than unemployed persons nationally. Experts no longer anticipate a recession, but inflation concerns persist, especially if the Federal Reserve changes interest rates.
|
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.
|
"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.
|
This report highlights the chronic issues plaguing Florida's large-scale IT projects, such as inadequate planning, contracting, and management. These issues have led to the repeated formation and dissolution of a state agency overseeing these projects, with the most recent being the Florida Digital Service (FL[DS]) established in 2020. The paper provides a series of recommendations to prevent the failure of FL[DS]. These include forming a joint House and Senate IT committee for oversight, adopting a new governance model, standardizing statewide agency business processes, and revising Florida Statutes for better IT project procurement and vendor evaluation. Furthermore, the paper suggests methods to attract and retain IT talent, like offering signing bonuses, revising job descriptions to focus on skills, and creating a talent pipeline from the State University System. The report emphasizes the necessity for effective project management and strategic decisions to ensure the success of Florida's IT projects and to safeguard taxpayer investments.
|
This paper addresses the growing issue of physician shortages in Florida. This shortage is primarily driven by an increasing and aging population, coupled with a high rate of physician retirements. The report evaluates the gap between healthcare demand and the supply of physicians, emphasizing the need for more medical students and improved healthcare policies. It discusses strategies like expanding Graduate Medical Education, utilizing telehealth, and leveraging Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to mitigate this shortage. The paper also considers legal and business aspects of practicing medicine in Florida, suggesting improvements to attract and retain healthcare professionals.
|
Q1 (2023-2024)
The Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) Quarterly Report for Q1 2023-24, presented to the Bond Oversight Committee, marks the midpoint of the school year and Year 10 of the SMART Program. The report acknowledges Resolution 23-109 from May 9, 2023, which recognizes the efforts of the Bond Oversight Committee and Florida TaxWatch in overseeing the SMART Program and notes the Twentieth Statewide Grand Jury's identification of program deficiencies. The resolution sets an expectation for the SMART Program's completion by October 31, 2025, including financial close-out and full expenditure of General Obligation Bond funds. The report details various program aspects like safety improvements, technology upgrades, and budget activities, while addressing financial risks and the critical role of oversight committees.
|
Amidst a national shift towards a cooler labor market with fewer job openings, the study explores the consequent effects on wage trends and inflationary pressures. The focus is on Florida's unique position and its adaptive response to these economic headwinds, highlighting the state's labor market resilience. As job openings decline and employee separations remain high, Florida's experience offers a case study in managing workforce challenges during economic cooldowns. This paper is a must-read for policymakers, economists, and business leaders interested in the interplay between labor markets and inflation, especially those focused on the Sunshine State's economic climate.
|