Florida TaxWatch has released a new briefing titled "Teaching Every Child to Swim Saves Thousands of Lives from Needless Drownings and Taxpayers Millions."
Florida TaxWatch has released a report titled "More Than A Store: The Fiscal and Economic Impacts of Goodwill in Florida," highlighting the significant economic contributions made by Goodwill's operations across the state.
Florida TaxWatch has released the fourth commentary in its five-part series on social determinants of health, focusing on social and community context.
Florida TaxWatch has released the third commentary in its five-part series examining social determinants of health, with a focus on neighborhood and built environment factors.
Florida TaxWatch has released recommendations aimed at easing the financial burden on taxpayers as Florida recovers from the impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Florida TaxWatch has released its 2024 Voter Guide for the six constitutional amendments appearing on Florida's November general election ballot. The guide provides an independent analysis and voting recommendations for these proposed amendments.
Florida TaxWatch recently held a ceremony in Tallahassee to announce the winners of the 2024 Government Productivity Awards. This program aims to recognize state employees whose innovative efforts have enhanced state services, increased productivity, and saved money for Florida taxpayers. Over three decades, more than 16,000 nominations have been submitted, with these employees credited for saving or maximizing nearly $10 billion in state funds.
Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida TaxWatch has released its second economic commentary in a new quarterly series, titled "Florida Economic Forecast: 2023-2028 / Q2 2024." The data for these forecasts is provided through a partnership with the Regional Economic Consulting Group (REC Group), which conducts economic studies to guide business leaders and policymakers.
Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida TaxWatch has released a report titled "From Roads to Roots: A Review of Florida’s Highway Landscape Spending," advocating for the establishment of an upper limit on landscape spending by the legislature. The report acknowledges the value of highway landscaping and suggests that policies should be implemented to better protect investments in this area.
Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida TaxWatch has released a commentary titled "Florida’s Water Supply: Could Florida Experience a Significant Water Supply Shortage by 2025?" According to a June 2024 report from the Office of Economic and Demographic Research (EDR), Florida may face a water supply shortage as early as next year, with increasing severity projected through 2040.
Florida TaxWatch released a commentary titled "Social Determinants of Health: Education Access and Quality," the second installment in a five-part series examining social determinants of health. These are environmental conditions, such as age and economic background, that affect individual health. The focus of this commentary is on the link between education access and quality and overall health and well-being.
A new report from Florida TaxWatch, an independent, nonpartisan research institute, reveals that Indian River State College generates substantial economic benefits for its service area (Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee Counties) and the state of Florida. The report, titled "An Independent Assessment of the Economic Impacts of Indian River State College," underscores the college’s role as a key driver of workforce development and economic growth in the Treasure Coast region and beyond.
Tallahassee, Fla – Today, Florida TaxWatch released its 2024 update: "Are Floridians Ready to Go Back to School? Not Without More Teachers," an analysis of Florida’s teacher shortage. In Florida’s FY2023-24 state budget, education was one of the largest consumers of taxpayer dollars; however, a teacher shortage prevents these funds from being effectively utilized.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released The Taxpayers’ Guide to Florida’s FY2024-25 State Budget, providing an overview of Florida’s Fiscal Year 2024-25 state budget. The budget was passed by the Florida Legislature during the 2024 Legislative Session and signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on June 12, 2024. The guide analyzes all appropriations for the new fiscal year that began on July 1, 2024, net of the governor’s vetoes. These include the $117.5 billion General Appropriations Act (GAA), “back-of-the-bill” spending, and appropriations made in general bills....
Florida TaxWatch has released its briefing on the state's property insurance market, highlighting the need for long-term solutions to address high insurance costs that could drive residents out of Florida.
Florida TaxWatch released its review of the Broward County School District's Safety, Music & Art, Athletics, Renovations, and Technology (SMART) program in its report "Monitoring and Oversight of General Obligation Bonds to Improve Broward County Schools: SMART Program Quarterly Report for Q3 2023-24." The report was presented to the Broward County Bond Oversight Committee and includes updates on the SMART program’s progress and recommendations to support ongoing efforts.
Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida TaxWatch released "Social Determinants of Health: Health Care Access and Quality," the first economic commentary in a series exploring social determinants of health as defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The taxpayer research institute focuses on health care access and quality in this initial commentary.