The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) praised members of the North Carolina General Assembly for their historic veto override votes on critical election integrity reforms. The Legislature passed Senate Bill 747 in mid-August and presented it to Governor Roy Cooper on August 18. Governor Cooper vetoed the bill on August 24. Today, the Senate overrode the governor’s veto by a vote of 30-19 and the House by a vote of 72-44.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla — Yesterday, the New College of Florida discarded hundreds of library books focused on LGBTQ+, diversity, and religious studies topics, including collections from its former Gender and Diversity Center. Neither students nor the public were given the opportunity to acquire or adopt these books before they were discarded or damaged, as provided by FS 273.
Florida's economy is marked by notable achievements, including substantial investments in infrastructure, workforce development, and a business-friendly environment under Gov. Ron DeSantis. These factors contribute to Florida's leading position in job growth, low unemployment rate, and high rate of new business formations. Additionally, the state ranks as the number one destination for net in-migration due to its favorable economic conditions and quality of life.
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.
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has released new radio and video ads in Florida as part of its ongoing efforts to urge Congress to pass the Main Street Tax Certainty Act. This legislation aims to make the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent, preventing a significant tax increase on small businesses.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Aug. 13, 2024) – The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, announced the second round of legislative endorsements from NFIB Florida’s PAC. The PAC is comprised of NFIB Florida members from throughout the state.
Jimmy Patronis, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal, said in a June 5 video shared on X that Florida’s insurance market is improving thanks to the reforms spearheaded by State Rep. Tom Leek.
TALLAHASSEE — On election day, November 5, 2024, more than 10 million Floridians will cast their votes. In addition to electing a U.S. President, 29 members of Congress, 120 members of the State House and 20 of the 40-member Florida Senate, the ballot tasks Floridians with voting on six proposed constitutional amendments. Constitutional initiatives play a pivotal role in the governance of the state and thus warrant careful consideration.
As immigration policy discussions remain prominent in public discourse, a new national study from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) has found that undocumented immigrants in Florida paid over $1.8 billion in state and local taxes in 2022. This figure could rise to approximately $2 billion if these taxpayers were granted work authorization.
The Florida Chamber Safety Council has introduced a new platform aimed at enhancing workplace heat safety for employers. This comprehensive toolkit includes resources such as heat stress prevention strategies, real-time weather monitoring applications, and continuing education and training opportunities.
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....
STATEWIDE, Fla. - According to a new analysis by the non-partisan Florida Policy Institute (FPI), lawmakers could use provisions in the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to help secure funding crucial for repairing outdated Department of Corrections (DOC) facilities.
Jimmy Patronis, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal, stated in a July 12 post on X that he has advocated for the home hardening tax cut to assist families in protecting their homes from hurricanes and reducing their insurance premiums.
Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT) has introduced the Ensuring Health in SNAP Act, aiming to facilitate states' ability to ban junk food within their food stamps programs. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, was established as a joint state-federal welfare initiative to provide temporary or supplemental food assistance to needy individuals and families. Over time, the program's eligibility and spending have expanded, incorporating a broader range of food options, including junk food that can adversely affect recipients' health.
Florida is sending 46 athletes to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, representing a diverse array of sports. These athletes hail from various cities across the state and will compete in events ranging from track and field to swimming.
Patricia Levesque, Executive Director of the Foundation for Florida’s Future, issued a statement today in response to the Florida State Board of Education’s passage of Adjusted School Grade Calculations.
More than 5.7 million Floridians, or 26.2 percent of the state's population, are highly vulnerable to extreme heat, according to a new report by the non-partisan Florida Policy Institute (FPI). The think tank found that 13 of the 20 counties with the highest shares of highly vulnerable residents are in North Florida. These counties include Calhoun, Citrus, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Highlands, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Okeechobee, Putnam and Sumter.
Makayla Buchanan has been selected for the U.S. Chamber Foundation Education and Workforce Fellowship Program, joining a group of 34 other state and local chamber executives, economic development professionals, and association leaders.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Amendment 6, which seeks to eliminate Florida’s long-standing public campaign financing program, is set to appear on the November 2024 ballot. The amendment aims to remove public funding that supports candidate diversity and helps reduce excessive campaign spending.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce has announced its second round of legislative endorsements for the 2024 elections. These candidates were vetted by the business community through the Florida Chamber Political Institute’s Candidate Interview process, which spanned five cities over six weeks and involved more than 80 business organizations interviewing over 100 candidates for state legislative office.