2018 Legislative Wrap Up
Budget & Appropriations, Budget Turkeys, Cost Savings, E-Fairness, Local Government, Research, Taxpayer GuideFind out all about what happened this Session with the TaxWatch Legislative Wrap Up.
Budget Watch – More Revenue for the Next Budget
Budget & Appropriations, Budget Turkeys, Cost Savings, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideAs the Florida Legislature prepares to go into conference budget negotiations to finalize the FY2018-19 budget, state estimators gave lawmakers a bit of good news. Florida’s General Revenue (GR) Estimating Conference met on February 9 and forecast that the state would collect an additional $461.8 million in FY2017-18 and FY2018-19.
Tax Changes Over Time – Web Tool
Cost Savings, Local Government, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideFlorida TaxWatch has compiled a comprehensive list of state and local tax and fees changes—increases and decreases–enacted by the Florida Legislature since 2010. It includes every new or eliminated tax or fee, changes to tax rates or fee levels, exemptions, credits, expanded bases and more.
Budget Watch – Budget Surplus Threatened by Irma Impacts
Budget & Appropriations, Cost Savings, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideThe new Outlook forecasts that after funding a continuation budget, there will be $52.0 million in General Revenue (GR) left over, until the financial impacts of Hurricane Irma are considered.
Budget Watch – FY2017-18 GAA Only Tells Part of Florida’s Budget Story
Budget & Appropriations, Cost Savings, Local Government, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideThe 2017 Florida Legislature passed a $82.418 billion General Appropriations Act (GAA), already the largest in the state’s history. But this is not all the money appropriated this year.
Budget Watch – Projected Shortfall Requires Action
Budget & Appropriations, Cost Savings, Research, Taxpayer GuideThe 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.
Discretion on the Bench
Corrections/Judicial, Cost Savings, ResearchThis 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.
Locked Up then Locked Out
Corrections/Judicial, Cost Savings, ResearchTo 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.
2015-16 Government Efficiency Task Force Report
Cost Savings, ResearchPursuant 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.
Lower Costs & Less Crime
Corrections/Judicial, Cost Savings, ResearchFlorida 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.
2016 Budget Turkey Watch Report
Budget & Appropriations, Budget Turkeys, Cost Savings, Research, Taxpayer GuideEach year, the Budget Turkey Report consists of only a very small percentage of the state budget and this year represented just over 0.1 percent. The $82.3 billion budget passed by the Florida House and Senate on March 11, 2016 contains 143 appropriations items worth $104.9 million qualifying as Budget Turkeys.
Budget Watch – Proposed House and Senate Budgets for FY2016-17 are $1 Billion Apart
Budget & Appropriations, Cost Savings, Research, TaxesThe House and Senate passed their respective state budgets for FY2016-17 with four weeks remaining in the 2016 Session. They will now go into the budget conference process to negotiate the differences. Conference meetings could start as early as this week (the week of February 22).
Budget Watch – Governor’s FY2016-17 Recommended Budget
Budget & Appropriations, Cost Savings, Research, TaxesFlorida legislators received news this week that they will have $395.6 million less to spend on the next state budget than originally anticipated. Citing weaker corporate profits and adverse developments in the international economy, the state General Revenue (GR) Estimating Conference decreased its estimates of GR collections in each of the six years in its forecast horizon.
Reducing the Business Rent Tax
Cost Savings, Economic Development, Research, TaxesA reduction in the BRT would be broad-based, benefiting a large number of businesses. All businesses that rent commercial real estate pay the sales tax on those rents, regardless of their profitability or financial shape. Reducing the sales tax would help be a significant help to struggling companies. It would also help new businesses, who may find that other startup costs rule out purchasing real estate as an option.
Moving Telehealth Forward: The High Costs of Paying Later
Cost Savings, Health Care, ResearchThis report, the third in the last two years on the subject from TaxWatch, looks at the next steps for policy changes in Florida, and compares Florida’s policies with those of California, Texas, and New York.
A State of Incarceration: Florida’s Crime and Incarceration Data Over Time
Corrections/Judicial, Cost Savings, ResearchWith Florida’s crime rate at its lowest point in nearly five decades, this report recommends policy improvements to reduce cost and improve the efficacy of the criminal justice system. The data from the report show the contrast between Florida’s falling crime rate and rising prison population.
An Analysis of the Florida Municipal Power Agency Audit
Cost Savings, Energy & Environment, ResearchThe Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) was established in 1978 to provide competitively priced, reliable power and value-added services for its member municipalities. Concern over higher rates has caused some FMPA member municipalities to “break ranks” in pursuit of lower power rates. This report looks at the FMPA, and the oversight, or lack thereof, that currently exists.
Annual Government Efficiency Recommendations – 2015
Budget & Appropriations, Cost Savings, Local Government, Research, Retirement, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideThe Center for Government Efficiency defines government efficiency as the intersection of cost avoidance, targeted investments and effective governance, three characteristics that define the recommendations
Time for Telehealth
Cost Savings, Health Care, ResearchFlorida lawmakers need to act quickly to connect patients with higher quality, timely care by using telehealth to bring the state’s health policies into the
Florida’s Aging Prisoner Problem
Corrections/Judicial, Cost Savings, Health Care, ResearchFlorida’s prison population is rapidly increasing despite declining crime rates, and this report recommends options to prevent increasing costs from overwhelming taxpayers. The report warns
