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Florida TaxWatch Announces GRASP Academy Principal Annessia Powell and W.E. Cherry Elementary School Principal Angela Whiddon as 2023-24 Principal Leadership Award Winners

Press Releases

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Thurs., Feb. 8, Florida TaxWatch will proudly announce that GRASP Academy Principal Annessia Powell and W.E. Cherry Elementary School Principal Angela Whiddon are among the 15 winners of the Florida TaxWatch 2023-24 Principal Leadership Awards (PLA). Through the program, Principals Powell and Whiddon have also each identified one deserving student to receive a full two-year Florida Prepaid College Scholarship. The awards and scholarships will be presented during two separate ceremonies today. The first ceremony will be held on the campus of GRASP Academy at 10 a.m. EST, and the second will be held on the campus of W.E. Cherry Elementary School at 1 p.m. EST. Media are invited to attend and asked to RSVP to Aly Coleman Raschid via email at aly@on3pr.com or by phone at 850.391.5040. Florida TaxWatch Executive Vice President and General Counsel, and Acting President and CEO, Jeff Kottkamp said, “Principals are the lifeblood of Florida’s schools – as leaders in their schools, they support and motivate hard-working teachers and ensure students of all ages are provided ample opportunities to succeed. That’s why Florida TaxWatch established this one-of-a-kind Principal Leadership Awards program, now in its 11th year, which uses comprehensive data to determine the most effective principals in our state and reward them for the transformational impact they are having both in their schools and in their communities. And this year, we have the privilege of honoring 15 deserving principals, the most in the history of the program, so that is extremely exciting. Congratulations to all the winners!” Florida Prepaid College Foundation Director Cindy O’Connell said, “Every day, the work of these dedicated principals dictates which opportunities for success will be available to our children and how their educational experience will mold them into productive adults for our world. The Florida Prepaid College Foundation is proud to sponsor the Principal Leadership Awards with the Foundation’s Academic A+ Challenge Match Scholarship Program. We look forward to helping these 15 students realize their potential. We are grateful to organizations like Florida TaxWatch for its staunch commitment to highlighting the good works of these public servants and unyielding dedication to education in Florida.” Florida Lottery Secretary John F. Davis said, “The Florida Lottery is proud to partner with Florida TaxWatch in support of the Principal Leadership Awards and commends each of the award recipients for their outstanding dedication and commitment to students and schools; these diligent efforts are making a difference each and every day. At the Florida Lottery, we believe that the path to a

Fiscal Year 2023: Florida’s Continuing Success in Debt Reduction

Blog

The 2023 Debt Report for Florida highlights the state’s strong financial standing, with a debt ratio below the 6% legislative target for the tenth consecutive year. Florida’s debt and debt service have decreased, while General Revenue collections increased by $3.3 billion. Rating agencies affirmed AAA ratings and a stable financial outlook. The report details Florida’s debt management strategies, including limiting debt accumulation and maintaining high reserves, contributing to a strong debt capacity and reduced future costs. Local government debt, however, remains comparatively high. The state’s prudent financial practices are underscored, benefiting taxpayers and indicating a healthy fiscal future.

Florida TaxWatch Releases The Taxpayers’ Guide to Florida’s Fiscal Year 2023-24 State Budget

Releases

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released The Taxpayers’ Guide to Florida’s FY2023-24 State Budget, providing an overview of Florida’s Fiscal Year 2023-24 state budget, which was passed by the Florida Legislature during the 2023 Legislative Session and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 15, 2023. The guide analyzes all appropriations for the new fiscal year that began on July 1, 2023, net of the governor’s vetoes, including the $117 billion General Appropriations Act (GAA), “back-of-the-bill” spending, and appropriations made in general bills. After the governor’s vetoes, these items total $118.7 billion in spending, which means Florida’s state budget has grown by 28.6 percent in the last three years, the largest three-year growth since the housing bubble and economic boom of Fiscal Year 2004-05 through Fiscal Year 2006-07.

The Taxpayer’s Guide to Florida’s FY2023-24 State Budget

Research, Taxpayer Guide

Florida TaxWatch is pleased to present taxpayers with a guide to the FY2023-24 state budget, which went into effect July 1, 2023. The 2023 Legislature appropriated a total of $118.7 billion for FY2023-24. This Budget Guide includes all appropriations for the new fiscal year— the General Appropriations Act (GAA), “back-of-the-bill” spending, and appropriations made in general bills—net of the Governor’s vetoes. 

Statement by Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro on Two Sales Tax Holidays Beginning Saturday, July 1, 2023

Releases

Tallahassee, Fla. – The statement below, to be attributed to Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro, pertains to the two sales tax holidays beginning Sat., July 1, 2023 – the ENERGY STAR Sales Tax Holiday (an extension of the existing sales tax holiday) and the new Gas Ranges and Cooktops Sales Tax Holiday. 

Florida TaxWatch Releases 2023 Budget Turkey Watch Report

Releases

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released its 2023 Budget Turkey Watch Report, an independent review of the state’s $117 billion Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget. Since 1983, FTW has provided Floridians with­­ this additional level of oversight by identifying individual appropriations that circumvent a thoughtful and thorough budget process. The annual Budget Turkey Watch Report 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. 

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