Budget Watch – Governor’s FY2018-19 Recommended Budget
Budget & Appropriations, Research, Taxpayer GuideGovernor Rick Scott recently released his eighth and final budget recommendation. This report details the proposal by budget area.
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.
Requiring a Supermajority to Raise Taxes or Fees Can Protect Taxpayers
Budget & Appropriations, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer Guide, Voter GuidesHaving led in the enactment of Florida’s current consitutional state revenue limitation, Florida TaxWatch has been recommending a simpler and higher standard to pass tax increases since 1995.
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.
2017-18 Taxpayers Budget Pocket Guide
Budget & Appropriations, Local Government, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideFlorida TaxWatch is pleased to present taxpayers with a guide to the FY2017-18 state budget, which went into effect July 1, 2017. After deducting the Governor’s vetoes, the net result is FY2017-18 appropriations totaling $85.158 billion, a $2.9 billion (3.5%) increase over FY2016-17.
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.
2017 Session Wrap-Up
Budget & Appropriations, Budget Turkeys, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideThe 2017 Legislature passed only 249 bills, the second lowest number in at least the last 15 years. This wrap-up details the issues TaxWatch followed this year.
2017 Final Tax Package Analysis
Budget & Appropriations, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideThis Session Spotlight is a look at the provisions in HB 7109, comparing the Senate amendment to the original House bill, and an examination of other bills and proposed constitutional amend- ments dealing with property taxes that have passed or are expected to pass and that could also reduce the taxes Floridians pay.
Budget Watch – Proposed Budgets for FY2017-18 Far Apart
Budget & Appropriations, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideAs we enter the penultimate week of the 2017 Legislative Session, the next state budget is still very much up in the air. The House and Senate spending plans are effectively $4 billion apart.
The Outlook for Tax Relief from the 2017 Legislature
Budget & Appropriations, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideThis report is a look at the provisions in HB 7109, along with the Senate bills that contain one of these provisions and that have cleared at least one committee. Following this analysis is an examination of several bills and proposed constitutional amendments dealing with property taxes that could also impact the taxes Floridians pay.
2017 Taxpayer Independence Day
Research, Taxpayer GuideOn April 17th, Floridians will celebrate Taxpayer Independence Day 2017, 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 2017 went to pay taxes at all levels of government.
2017 How Florida Compares: Taxes
Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideThis annual report details how Florida stacks up against the rest of the nation in terms of taxes and fees.
Budget Watch – Final GR Estimates Set Stage for Tough Budget
Budget & Appropriations, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideThe General Revenue (GR) Estimating Conference met recently to determine how much money will be available to the 2017 Legislature for the new state budget.
The Show May Not Go On: An analysis of the cost of severe cuts to Florida’s tourism marketing
Budget & Appropriations, Economic Development, Research, Taxpayer Guide, TourismFlorida tourism is an absolutely critical industry to the state, employing millions of people and contributing millions of dollars to state coffers. Despite its importance to the Sunshine State, tourism is in the crosshairs of the Florida House, a costly decision according to this report.
The Effects of a Border-Adjusted Tax on Florida’s Property Insurance Market
Insurance, Research, Taxpayer GuideThis report analyzes the effects of applying a border-adjusted tax to reinsurance transactions, and estimates the impact of such a tax on Florida’s policyholders, the property insurance market, taxpayers, and the economy.
Finding the True Cost of Public Education
Budget & Appropriations, Education, Local Government, Research, Taxpayer GuidePer-student spending is an easy-to-use measure by which taxpayers can evaluate public school spending and efficiency. This report finds a more accurate number for taxpayers to use.
Budget Watch – Revenue Estimates Increased Slightly, Shortfall Looms
Budget & Appropriations, Research, Taxpayer GuideLawmakers received a small measure of positive fiscal news from state economists this week. The General Revenue (GR) Estimating Conference met on December 12, 2016 and increased its revenue forecast by $119.3 million in the current year (FY2016-17) and by $22.6 million for the next budget year (FY2017-18).
2016 Voter Guide – November Edition
Research, Taxpayer Guide, Voter GuidesThis 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.
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.
2016 Voter Guide – August
Research, Taxpayer Guide, Voter GuidesOn August 30 and November 8, 2016, Floridians will vote on a total of five proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution. This Florida TaxWatch Voter Guide is designed to provide voters with information about each of the amendments to help them cast well-informed votes.
