For the first time since the 1980s, the federal government’s role in elementary and secondary education is shrinking. Passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) last December gives states greater flexibility and control over the way student achievement is measured.
Enhancing our mission of providing the citizens and public officials of Florida with high quality, independent research and analysis, Florida TaxWatch is proud to announce the debut of a policy- and research-based blog.
Across the state and nation, homelessness continues to be an issue for many communities. While the state of Florida has seen a drop in the number of homeless individuals over the past few years, cities and counties across the state still struggle to deal with the fiscal and social impacts of homelessness.
Most of us like to shop around for the best price. While you are likely to hear about your friend’s new car bargain, no one ever mentions their awesome deal on a knee replacement. Why?
Over the past several decades, overall crime across the U.S. has been going down, and the situation is no different in Florida; the state is at its lowest crime rate since the 1960s. Despite this decrease in crime the number of people with criminal records in Florida (and the nation) has continued to grow rapidly, which raises the question “what’s going on here?”
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has undertaken rulemaking to consider the establishment of a deductible for its Public Assistance Program. Has Florida taken the right steps to make this new rule a favorable one?
Every year, Florida public agencies are required to develop so-called strategic plans. But instead of being strategic and linking to adding measurable value to Floridians, these efforts shift to the planning of tactics and assume that existing agency goals are useful or even correct. And each year we are often disappointed with what our agencies deliver to our citizens. This disappointment comes from agencies not asking and answering the right questions.
This edition of the 2016 Voter Guide details the four amendments on the November 8 ballot. We have provided a notes sheet on page 30 of this Guide, where you can jot down anything you want to remember about the amendments, and take it with you to the polls.
There is a high probability that the person known as “the nurse” in your child’s school clinic is not a licensed nurse. In fact, this individual may not have any formal health care training and has earned this title by virtue of a desk in the clinic.
The summer Olympics has now come and gone, and it will certainly be a memorable one. People from around the world cheered on their fellow countrymen, and women, as they put their hearts on the line in pursuit of gold and glory. However, now that the Olympic Games have concluded what happens to Rio de Janeiro? Will the country experience a boost in tourism or economic activity? Or, like our recent obsession for all things gymnastics and swimming, will Rio be forgotten with time?
The omnipresence of smartphones has encouraged start-up companies to take advantage of the power of the mobile app. The IRS estimates that the federal government misses out on $194 billion in tax revenues a year from companies like Uber and others like it.
The 2017 Legislature will be facing a very tight budget year. After a string of three straight years with projected budget surpluses ranging from $336 million to $846 million, it is now estimated that during the next legislative session there will be just enough money to fund a continuation budget for FY2017-18. What’s more, significant budget shortfalls loom in subsequent years.
Florida continues to receive far less than its fair share of federal grant dollars, according to the latest Florida TaxWatch report. Florida ranks last in in the nation in per capita federal grants, receiving about $22.8 billion in federal grants in FY2014-15 or about $1,125 for each Floridian. The report also found that Florida pays $1.58 in federal taxes for every $1.00 returned in aid, second highest in the nation.
Over the years, Florida TaxWatch has produced several reports examining how Florida fares, relative to other states, in receiving grants and aid from the federal government. Consistent with our past research, this new analysis shows Florida continues to receive far less than its fair share of federal grant dollars.
Mitchell is the owner and president of The Mitchell Group in West Palm Beach. In her role with Florida TaxWatch, she will be a leader in continuing the non-profit research institute’s growth and success by expanding membership statewide.
Tough on crime laws of the 1980s and ‘90s have put a significant strain on Florida taxpayers. These policies, especially mandatory minimum sentences, have forced judges to place low-risk, nonviolent offenders behind bars when many pose little or no risk to public safety and have cost taxpayers millions of dollars in a state whose corrections system is already facing understaffing and funding issues.
This report recommends the implementation of a “Judicial Safety Valve” that would give judges the discretion to deviate from mandatory minimums for low-level offenders, but maintain the rights of victims, offenders, their attorneys, and the state to have input on sentencing decisions at sentencing hearings.
Lawmakers will have to be a bit more frugal with the money of the hard-working taxpayers of Florida during the upcoming Legislative Session. The latest budget forecast shows the state will have a surplus of only $7.5 million during the 2017-18 fiscal year. In order to craft a balanced budget while funding some of their priorities, lawmakers must consider changes that will save the state significant money.
Florida TaxWatch has studied the applications submitted to the County by International Atlantic, LLC, and this report details the findings of that review.
When taxpayers pay for a road or a school, the expectations are clear – a new street that helps traffic move or a new building that safely houses our students. But so many services that taxpayers pay for are less tangible – helping children receive quality health care, giving prisoners the tools to stay away from crime upon release, protecting the state’s most vulnerable children and adults with support and assistance.
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