Search Results

You searched for: 9 2022

Can't find what you're looking for? Try our new Advanced Search

Florida TaxWatch Releases Analysis of Local Ordinances Legislation The government watchdog presents considerations for unintended consequences and secondary fiscal effects

Press Releases
/ Press Releases / 3 minutes of reading

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) is releasing a Session Spotlight report entitled The Impacts of Lawsuits Against Local Governments for Business Damages. In the report, FTW analyzes four pieces of legislation, SB 620, CS/HB 569, CS/SB 280, and HB 403, which will impact the process of passing local ordinances and provide additional rights to businesses and residents wishing to challenge those ordinances. The government watchdog also presents considerations for the unintended consequences and secondary fiscal effects of the bills.

What Benefits Cliffs Teach Us About Incentives

Blog
/ Blog / 6 minutes of reading

Throughout the U.S. and in Florida, a variety of federal and state public programs exist to provide economic stabilization and promote economic self-sufficiency for low-income individuals and families with children. These public supports are often designed with specific income eligibility limits so that benefits phase out as an individual or family earns more. Although constructed to reduce reliance on public assistance over time while empowering families to move up the economic ladder, this program design can sometimes have the unintentional consequence of creating a “benefits cliff” that stifles upward mobility.

New General Revenue Estimates Add Another $4.0 Billion to Amount Available for the Next Budget

Budget & Appropriations, Research
/ Budget & Appropriations, Research / 3 minutes of reading

With state coffers already swelling, the General Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) met on January 21, 2022, to develop the state’s new forecast for general revenue (GR) collections. This is the revenue estimate that the 2022 Legislature will use for the new FY2022-23 state budget. The REC increased its estimate for GR collections by $3.3 billion in the current year (FY2021-22) and by $704 million in FY 2022-23. This means lawmakers have another $4 billion available to spend. Florida was already in its best fiscal shape in history.

The Impacts of Lawsuits Against Local Governments for Business Damages

Corrections/Judicial, Local Government, Research
/ Corrections/Judicial, Local Government, Research / 2 minutes of reading

The 2022 Florida Legislature is debating two pieces of legislation that add to the process of passing local ordinances and provides additional rights to businesses and residents who wish to challenge those ordinances. This Session Spotlight takes a detailed look at SB620/CS/HB569 & CS/SB280/HB403.

Florida TaxWatch Releases Assessment of Broadband Access in Florida and Strategies for Expansion

Press Releases
/ Press Releases / 5 minutes of reading

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) is releasing a comprehensive assessment of broadband access in Florida, as well as proposed strategies for expansion in unserved areas. In the report, entitled Closing the Digital Divide: The Expansion of Broadband Internet Service to Unserved Areas of the State, the trusted taxpayer research institute for over 40 years also emphasizes the need for fast, reliable, and affordable broadband Internet service in Floridians’ daily lives.

Closing the Digital Divide-The Expansion of Broadband Internet Service to Unserved Areas of the State

Research
/ Research / 3 minutes of reading

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the importance of access to reliable and affordable high-quality broadband Internet service to our daily lives. Communities that currently lack access to the affordable, reliable, high-quality broadband Internet that is necessary for full participation in education, health care, employment, social services and government programs, and civic life are at a marked disadvantage without that access. To help ensure that all Florida communities have access to reliable and affordable high-quality broadband Internet service Florida TaxWatch recommends the following:

WORKING PAPER: Where Are The Women?

Blog, Economic Development, Research
/ Blog, Economic Development, Research / 14 minutes of reading

This working paper is an endeavor to learn more about Florida’s labor force participation rate of women. Exploring reasons for women’s absence from the workforce can help Florida better understand the needs of its entire workforce. As a working paper, Florida TaxWatch hopes to start a discussion and encourage others to offer their insights about women’s absence from the workforce.  

Florida TaxWatch Releases Policy Brief Examining Higher Education Achievement Rates in Florida The taxpayer research institute identifies achievement gaps and their impacts on the state economy

Press Releases
/ Press Releases / 3 minutes of reading

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch is releasing a policy brief entitled The Economic and Fiscal Impacts of Education and Training Beyond High School in Florida. It is the first installment in a two-part series, examining educational achievement rates across Florida’s demographic populations to identify current achievement gaps and their impacts on the state economy.

We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in Florida’s future

Budget & Appropriations, Economic Development, In the News, Taxpayer Guide
/ Budget & Appropriations, Economic Development, In the News, Taxpayer Guide / 3 minutes of reading

The 2022 legislative session begins today and, despite the pandemic, Florida is in an enviable fiscal position. The state’s current budget is record in size, as are our budget reserves. Revenue collections are back above pre-pandemic levels, and this Legislature will have even more money available for the next budget cycle, made possible by both strong economic performance and billions in unappropriated federal funds.

Despite Positive Job Growth In Recent Months, People Are Quitting Jobs At Record Rates

Blog, COVID Recovery, Research
/ Blog, COVID Recovery, Research / 5 minutes of reading

Often overlooked in favor of more eye-catching employment headlines such as unemployment rates and job creation numbers, job quitting rates are an indispensable part of understanding the overall economic recovery. Newly released national data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reveal the number of people quitting their jobs in November 2021 hit a record high of 4.5 million—far above any other level on record since data first started being recorded. Since the summer of 2021, a collective 21.3 million individuals have quit their jobs across the nation.

Become a Member

Support Responsible
Taxation & Government Spending

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.

Explore Membership

Donate →
Donate →
Scroll to Top