In dollars, America’s debt is forecast to reach an astonishing $87.9 trillion in 30 years. This is more than $200,000 for each of the 400 million men, women, and children expected to live in the United States in 2046. This Budget Watch looks at the long-term implications of such a debt.
After a debilitating recession from 2007 to 2009 that cost thousands of people their jobs, Florida is again among the national leaders in job creation at the halfway mark of 2016, according to the latest Economic Commentary by Florida TaxWatch.
As the most recent Florida TaxWatch research shows , a drastic increase to a $15 an hour minimum wage could produce unfortunate results. It is far more important for Florida’s policymakers to make targeted investments in education and workforce development to build a $15 an hour workforce, rather than through burdensome government mandates.
In states across the nation, minimum wage policies continue to dominate political and economic discussions. Recently, two of the nation’s largest states, New York and California, have both passed laws that will gradually raise the minimum wage in those states to $15/hr. This report examines the potential impact of an abrupt raise of Florida’s minimum wage to $15/hr.
Today, Florida TaxWatch announced the 2016 Prudential Productivity Award winners at its Tallahassee office. The program, founded by Florida TaxWatch, has been honoring dedicated state employees since 1989. The Prudential Productivity Awards program recognizes and rewards hard-working state employees who develop and implement innovative cost-saving and efficient improvements.
Florida’s elected lawmakers put fewer secret spending projects into the budget in the waning days of this Legislative session, but improvements are still needed to guarantee taxpayers have full openness, transparency and accountability when lawmakers spend their money.
Too few Floridians have the time to keep an eye on Tallahassee to make sure lawmakers are making prudent decisions with your money. That’s why Florida TaxWatch – the state’s premier independent government watchdog group – is on the job. It is part of our mission is to ensure that your money is invested wisely in schools, transportation and many other areas while protecting the public’s right to know.
Florida TaxWatch, the state’s premier government watchdog group, today released a report calling for the Legislature to invest in the state’s economic incentive programs to continue to grow the economy and create key jobs for Floridians. The analysis finds that Florida’s competitive tax climate and welcoming weather entice businesses to our state, but Florida must provide targeted incentive packages that will help create high-paying jobs in the Sunshine State as we compete with other states for domestic and global business.
With more than‚Ä? ‚Ĩ100,000‚Ä? ‚Ĩinmates‚Ä? ‚Ĩbehind bars,‚Ä? ‚ĨFlorida’s correctional population is among the largest in the United States. One of the primary causes for the high population is that more than two-thirds of offenders are re-arrested and‚Ä? ‚Ĩmore than one-in-four‚Ä? ‚Ĩreturn to prison within three years of their release.‚Ä? ‚ĨWhen these individuals cycle in and out of state and local facilities,‚Ä? ‚Ĩthey run up an enormous bill that is shouldered by Florida taxpayers.‚Ä? ‚ĨIt costs an average of‚Ä? ‚Ĩnearly‚Ä? ‚Ĩ$19,000‚Ä? ‚Ĩper year to house an inmate‚Ä? – ‚Ĩmore than three times the cost of tuition at the University of Florida.‚Ä?
Florida’s thriving tourism industry provides extraordinary opportunities for economic growth. Increasing investment in the Sunshine State’s tourism industry has a direct impact on job creation in the state, and the economic impact can be felt throughout many of Florida’s other industries.
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.
