Today’s record-breaking tourism numbers are proof that Florida’s funding of marketing programs is working for the state. Nearly 113 million visitors came to the Sunshine State to attend our theme parks, spend time on the beach and enjoy numerous other attractions.
Governor Rick Scott recently released his $83.474 billion proposed budget, which will be considered by the Legislature as it crafts the state’s new spending plan.
Extending the trust we all have in nurses to the boardroom will complete hospital boards – no players will be missing.
The latest report by the non-profit, non-partisan government watchdog Florida TaxWatch finds that Florida’s sales tax holidays are beneficial to Florida taxpayers and businesses, while any decrease in sales tax revenue for the state is offset by growth revenue. The report notes that sales tax holidays are successful in increasing consumer spending, and that the Back To School Sales Tax Holiday is the second biggest shopping weekend in Florida, trailing only Black Friday.
Florida residents come out in droves to take advantage of sales tax holidays, the subject of this report. These ever-popular tax breaks allow Florida shoppers to take advantage of tax-free purchases on certain items.
Florida’s job growth in 2016 has brought the state’s employment numbers to an all-time high, according to a new report released today by Florida TaxWatch, the state’s premier nonpartisan, nonprofit government watchdog.
With an addition of 257,000 jobs in 2016, Florida continues to rise from the Great Recession. Over the past year, nearly all of Florida’s major industries have seen employment gains, and the unemployment rate has fallen to 4.8.
Recognizing a serious problem, one company created a partnership with law enforcement to help address a common crime.
Earlier today, Governor Scott revealed his proposed budget for consideration by the 2017 Legislature. His ‘Fighting for Florida’s Future’ budget aims to cut taxes for Floridians by $618 million (which includes a cut to the Business Rent Tax (BRT)), includes a $85 million investment in economic incentives and calls for $21 billion in state and local funding to improve Florida’s K-12 education system.
Florida TaxWatch is pleased that the Governor Scott has heeded the recommendations of our research to include a 25 percent reduction (1.5 points) in the business rent tax (BRT), saving Florida businesses more than $454 million a year. As the only state in the union with a tax on commercial leases, Florida is at a clear competitive disadvantage with other states.
The new Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives wants to shake things up. Richard Corcoran began his new role with a bang, bringing forward new House rules that include changes aimed at limiting the influence of lobbyists on the legislative process.
The holiday was put on the back burner the last two years, but then Hermine and Matthew rolled in.
For 2016, Florida received an overall score of 72.4 points, a grade of C-, and an overall rank of 30th.
St. Petersburg has committed to a cutting edge plan to become the first city in Florida to garner all its energy from renewable resources.
This morning, the Florida Supreme Court declined to hear the teacher’s union lawsuit attacking Florida’s tax credit scholarship program. This is a huge victory for Florida families. These scholarships provide lower income families, most of whom are minorities, the opportunities to receive a high quality education and are funded through donations from businesses across the state.
Politicians talk repeatedly about doing things to help create jobs. But, sometimes, doing nothing is the best option. We hope that newly-elected lawmakers understand that less government intrusion is often the key to keeping the American Dream alive.
State corrections wish a spoonful of sugar would help this medicine’s price go down.
With Florida’s prison population one of the largest in the country, lawmakers have made a concentrated push to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the state correctional system. The latest report by Florida TaxWatch, the state’s premier, non-partisan government watchdog, offers a detailed analysis of the state’s sentencing, incarceration, prisoner, and correctional budget histories, allowing policy makers and the public to identify areas in need of improvement regarding corrections.
To identify areas in need of improvement, this report is a longitudinal analysis of the state’s sentencing, incarceration, prisoner, and correctional budget histories.
The Legislature did not ratify a new Seminole Gaming Compact last session and as a result, the state has already lost nearly $250 million and could lose out on another $2 billion over the next seven years.
For over 45 years, donor support has made Florida TaxWatch the state’s leading independent voice for taxpayer accountability. There are many ways to support our mission.
