Florida’s prison population is among the largest in the United States and is expected to continue growing in the coming years. This problem is not going away: Roughly one-quarter of Florida inmates reoffend within three years of being released. As these offenders cycle in and out of state and local facilities, they build upon the already crippling corrections costs incurred by taxpayers.
To decrease recidivism and increase the return on state investment in corrections, offenders need to be able to find jobs and keep them; however, there are several barriers to this goal. This paper addresses some of these barriers and makes policy recommendations.
This guide compares the revenue and expenditure profiles of Florida’s 67 counties to give taxpayers an overview of how their local government stacks up with the rest of the state.
Local groups concerned about city leaders’ decision on spending the money of hard-working Tallahassee residents released a poll showing city taxpayers want a property tax cut.
Yesterday, the Florida Government Efficiency Task Force (GETF) approved its final report, which outlines 29 recommendations that would improve government operations while saving hard-working Florida taxpayers’ money. The potential cost-savings the state could realize if these recommendations were implemented could exceed $2 billion annually.
Pursuant to Article III, section 19(i) of the Florida Constitution, the Government Efficiency Task Force (“Task Force”) is pleased to submit its final recommendations to the Governor, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Chair and Vice Chair of the Legislative Budget Commission. The enclosed report includes 29 recommendations which, if implemented, will significantly improve the efficiency of government operations and will reduce the costs of government by more than $2 billion annually.
The FY2017-18 budget process is now underway. The Governor’s office recently provided budget instructions to state agencies to use in formulating their legislative budget requests (LBRs), which are due on October 14. The Governor will then use the LBRs to develop his budget recommendations, which must be provided to the Legislature at least 30 days before the start (March 7) of the 2017 Legislative Session.
As the most recent Florida TaxWatch research shows , a drastic increase to a $15 an hour minimum wage could produce unfortunate results. It is far more important for Florida’s policymakers to make targeted investments in education and workforce development to build a $15 an hour workforce, rather than through burdensome government mandates.
The latest Florida TaxWatch Economic Commentary finds that a raise in the statewide minimum wage to $15 an hour would likely harm Florida businesses and the job market. Florida TaxWatch estimated that businesses employing minimum wage workers in the state of Florida could see a nearly $2 billion increase in labor costs. This conservative estimate only accounts for workers currently making minimum wage, but an increase of the minimum wage to $15 an hour would raise the cost of wages for nearly half of Florida’s workforce.
In states across the nation, minimum wage policies continue to dominate political and economic discussions. Recently, two of the nation’s largest states, New York and California, have both passed laws that will gradually raise the minimum wage in those states to $15/hr. This report examines the potential impact of an abrupt raise of Florida’s minimum wage to $15/hr.
Florida state employees received well-deserved recognition at regional luncheons throughout the week of June 20th – 24th. Honoring winners of Florida TaxWatch’s 2016 Prudential Productivity Awards, these luncheons took place in Tampa, Miami, Orlando and Jacksonville. The 28th Annual awards ceremony highlights state employees who innovatively reduce costs and improve services for Florida taxpayers. The Prudential Productivity Awards is the only program where the state’s private businesses recognize and reward public employees for making state government run more efficiently.
Florida state employees received well-deserved recognition at a luncheon honoring winners of Florida TaxWatch’s 2016 Prudential Productivity Awards at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center on Wednesday. The 28th annual awards ceremony highlights state employees who innovatively reduce costs and improve services for Florida taxpayers. The Prudential Productivity Awards is the only program in the state that celebrates these dedicated state employees who work tirelessly to ensure a more efficient state government for Floridians.
Publix Super Markets has long been a Florida treasure. Known for its commitment to its employees and customers, the grocery chain has been serving Florida families since 1930. Today, Fortune announced its annual Fortune 500 list for 2016 and Florida TaxWatch wants to congratulate Publix for moving into the Fortune 100.
Florida’s push for education gains should be conducted in the classroom, not the courtroom. A Leon County judge’s sweeping decision this week to protect education options for more than 70,000 students is an historic moment. It is critical that we work together and focus on helping students and teachers by strengthening scholarship and school options for students in need.
Presented to the Bond Oversight Committee on May 23, 2016, this report examines the SMART program quarterly report for Q3.
Florida TaxWatch has long championed smart justice options that protect taxpayers’ safety and wallets. A new report proposes solutions on how Florida deals with non-violent offenders to reduce costly and unnecessary strain on the state corrections budget and facilities. The report – Lower Costs & Less Crime: Criminal and Juvenile Justice Reform Options for Florida – recommends numerous policy initiatives to promote smarter sentencing, reduce recidivism and save tax dollars, while ensuring a safer Sunshine State.
Florida can no longer rely on the outdated and inefficient policies of the past, and must begin to consider policies and practices that not only keep Floridians safe, but also address the two primary drivers of growth in the criminal justice system: overincarceration and recidivism. The recommendations detailed in this report, while by no means an exhaustive list of necessary improvements, aim to put Florida on the path to achieve these goals.
From matters of life and death to the future of our economy, state workers play critical roles in making our state the best in the nation to learn, to work and to live. Whether it’s protecting the state’s most vulnerable children from abuse, making sure our colleges and universities are preparing Florida for the future, or planning for smart and efficient use of our taxpayers’ money, state workers are silent heroes in helping our state move forward.
On April 20th, Floridians will celebrate Taxpayer Independence Day 2016, the first day of the year where taxpayers are no longer working to pay off their tax bill but are working for themselves. This symbolic date, calculated by Florida TaxWatch, assumes that every dollar earned from the start of 2016 went to pay taxes at all levels of government.
Wednesday, April 20 Florida TaxWatch celebrates Florida Taxpayer Independence Day 2016: the day Floridians are finally earning money for themselves and not for the tax collector. This symbolic date assumes that every dollar earned since January 1 goes to pay federal, state, and local tax obligations. In 2015, for the average Florida household, paying its taxes takes 110 out of 365 days, or more than three and a half months.
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.
