Press Releases

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released Are Floridians Ready to Go Back to School? Not Without More Teachers… The report presents an analysis of Florida’s pervasive teacher shortage, outlining potential causes, from compensation to mental health, and the significant ramifications for schools and students. It also summarizes action taken at both the state and local level to combat this crisis and bolster the teacher workforce. 

The statement below, to be attributed to Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro, pertains to the Back-to-School sales tax holiday beginning Monday, July 25 and ending Sunday, August 7, 2022. To learn more and/or schedule an interview with President and CEO Calabro, please contact Aly Coleman at aly@on3pr.com or 850.391.5040. 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released Looking Back at Census 2020: What Florida’s Business and Community Leaders Need to Know. 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The statement below, to be attributed to Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro, pertains to the four sales tax holidays beginning Friday, July 1, 2022 – Freedom Week, Energy Star Appliances, Diapers and Baby Clothes, and Home Hardening. To learn more and/or schedule an interview with President and CEO Calabro, please contact Aly Coleman at aly@on3pr.com or 850.391.5040.

Tallahassee, Fla. – The following statement is to be attributed to Dominic M. Calabro, President and CEO of Florida TaxWatch, in response to Governor DeSantis’ recent veto of Senate Bill 620: Local Business Protection Act.

Tallahassee, Fla. – The following statement is to be attributed to Dominic M. Calabro, President and CEO of Florida TaxWatch, in response to Governor DeSantis’ recent veto of Senate Bill 1382: Tax Administration.

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) is releasing an economic commentary entitled Built for Success: Manufacturing’s Role in Florida’s Economy. The report evaluates the significant impact of manufacturing on Florida’s economy and outlines opportunities for growth, which the taxpayer research institute notes will require a collaborative approach, involving both the public and private sectors, as well as strategic investment in human capital. 

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch released its review of the Broward County School District’s Safety, Music & Art, Athletics, Renovations and Technology (SMART) Program in its report Monitoring and Oversight of General Obligation Bonds to Improve Broward County Schools: SMART Program Quarterly Report Review for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2022. 

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch released its review of the Broward County School District’s Safety, Music & Art, Athletics, Renovations and Technology (SMART) Program in its report Monitoring and Oversight of General Obligation Bonds to Improve Broward County Schools: SMART Program Quarterly Report Review for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2022. 

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) is releasing an economic commentary entitled International Trade as a Catalyst for Florida’s Economy. The report outlines changes in Florida’s international trade over time – underscoring the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic – while analyzing the economic impact in the state and presenting it as a global trading hub. The trusted taxpayer research institute also identifies opportunities for future trade growth.

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, during Florida TaxWatch’s (FTW) spring meeting in Tampa, the taxpayer research institute released 2022 How Counties Compare. Complementing the larger How Florida Compares research series, this report analyzes Florida’s 67 counties and the myriad of local governments within the state, offering community leaders, elected officials, and members of the media insight into tax rates, tax collections, other revenue sources, and government expenditures.

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released its 2022 Budget Turkey Watch Report, an independent review of the state’s Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget. Since 1983, FTW has provided Floridians with¬¬ this additional level of oversight that identifies individual appropriations that circumvent a thoughtful and thorough budget process.The annual practice is based on the principle that, because funds appropriated by the legislature belong to Florida taxpayers, the process must be transparent and accountable, and every appropriation should receive proper deliberation and public debate.

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) is releasing a new report entitled At The Cliff’s Edge: How Reducing Benefits Cliffs Can Stimulate Workforce Participation and Economic Growth, which analyzes public safety net programs and benefits cliffs, a scenario in which a small increase in wages results in the partial or total loss of public benefits. The report presents implications for hiring and retaining workers in Florida’s tight labor market, as well as the overall impact on the economy. In the report, FTW also offers recommendations to mitigate these problems and thereby expand economic self-sufficiency, advancement, and mobility over time. 

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) is releasing an economic commentary entitled The Economic and Fiscal Significance of the U.S. Census and American Community Survey (ACS). The report underscores the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on 2020 Census data collection efforts, including disruptions to the ACS, and highlights how this impacts federal funding and critical decision-making among policymakers and business leaders alike.

Bradenton, Fla. – Today, Tues., April 12, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) will proudly announce that Principal Bonnie Brett of Manatee Charter School in Manatee County is among the nine winners of the Florida TaxWatch 2021-22 Principal Leadership Awards (PLA). Through the program, Principal Brett has also identified one deserving student to receive a full two-year Florida College Scholarship.

Pensacola, Fla. – Today, Fri., April 1, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) will proudly announce that Hollie Wilkins, immediate past principal of Montclair Elementary School, and Laura Touchstone, immediate past principal of Pine Forest High School, are among the nine winners of the Florida TaxWatch 2021-22 Principal Leadership Awards (PLA). 

Dunnellon, Fla. – Today, Fri., March 25, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) will proudly announce that Delbert Smallridge, immediate past principal of Dunnellon Middle School in Marion County, is among the nine winners of the Florida TaxWatch 2021-22 Principal Leadership Awards (PLA). Through the program, Smallridge – who is now retired – has also identified one deserving student to receive a full two-year Florida College Scholarship.