TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released the 2020 Budget Turkey Watch Report: An analysis of the transparency and accountability of the budget process, its annual independent review of the state’s budget. The report, which has been released annually since 1986, promotes additional oversight and integrity in Florida’s budgeting process and is based on the principle that because money appropriated by the legislature belongs to the taxpayers of Florida, the process must be transparent and accountable, and every appropriation should receive proper deliberation and public debate. This year’s Budget Turkey Watch Report also highlights the particularly important need to scrutinize the entire budget, in the context of the uncertain fiscal environment created by COVID-19.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released its 2020 Florida Legislative Session Wrap-Up and highlighted the passage of 11 legislative priorities supported by FTW during the recent session. Throughout the 2020 Legislative Session, lawmakers in the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate came together to pass 210 bills, including the General Appropriations Act (HB 5001), setting the state budget at a record $93.2 billion. Last week, FTW issued a statement urging the Florida Legislature to cut spending on member projects to bolster the state’s ability to respond to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Panama City, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) along with leaders from Panama City and Bay County highlighted the need for community participation in the 2020 Census. As the third largest and fourth fastest growing state in the country, the upcoming Federal Census count will be more important to the Sunshine State than nearly any other state. Federal grant programs distribute $700 billion using census data. If Florida is under-represented by the count, it could cost the state millions, or even billions, of dollars. Florida’s state and local officials need to immediately start ensuring the accuracy of the count by participating in existing intergovernmental processes to verify addresses and residences. 

Panama City, Fla. – On Wednesday, February 19, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro will be joined by city and county leaders in Panama City to announce efforts that will encourage Floridians to participate in the 2020 Census.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) announced its 2020 Legislative Priorities for Florida Taxpayers, outlining the top issues for the Florida Legislature to take up during the upcoming 60-day legislative session. The 2020 Florida Legislative Session is set to begin on Tuesday, January 14 and conclude with adjournment sine die on Friday, March 13.