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.
The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) has filed proposed workers' compensation rates for 2025, citing a reduction in both the frequency and severity of claims as key factors influencing this year's rate filing. This improvement is attributed to employers’ ongoing commitment to enhancing workplace safety and advancements in technology, which have collectively reduced workplace injuries and facilitated quicker return-to-work processes for employees.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel published an op-ed by Zack Magin, owner of Tropic Machine Products and a member of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) in Ft. Lauderdale. In his piece, Magin emphasized the significance of the Small Business Deduction for his enterprise and outlined the potential consequences if Congress does not make it permanent.
Today, the Florida Chamber Foundation released its 2024 Florida Business & Economic Mid-Year Report, an analysis of local and national economic data impacting the way Florida conducts business. This annual mid-year report aims to inform Florida leaders about the state's economic conditions, guiding them through the remainder of the year as they plan and budget for 2025. While Florida is creating one in every eleven new U.S. jobs and adding approximately 750 net new residents daily, focusing on key areas will help maintain this momentum.
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.
Patricia Levesque, Executive Director of the Foundation for Florida’s Future, issued a statement in response to the Florida State Board of Education’s recent decision on the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Program performance metric.
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.