Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineDecember 22, 2016

Florida TaxWatch chief Dominic Calabro conceded Thursday that legislators might balk at spending money next year to improve government efficiency, but pointed to 15 innovations that wouldn’t cost taxpayers a dime. They include prison reforms and requiring the governor and Legislature to pass specific legislation every year directing agency chiefs to find ways to operate more […]

Michael MolineDecember 15, 2016

Senate budget chairman Jack Latvala isn’t interested in balancing state government’s books on the backs of counties hit hard by the BP oil spill. And he believes the state might have to let local property taxes increase along with home values. All in the name of meeting pressing needs in a state in decent financial shape now, but […]

Michael MolineDecember 12, 2016

The Florida Legislature may have nearly $142 million more to spend next year than previously expected, but that won’t save lawmakers from difficult choices during the spring legislative session. The revenue forecast for the fiscal year ending in June could run $119.3 million ahead of the previous forecast in September, according to preliminary numbers approved […]

Associated PressDecember 12, 2016

Preliminary forecasts show Florida’s economy is growing, but probably not enough to solve the state’s looming budget constraints. State economists are meeting Monday to draw up forecasts to predict how much the state will collect in taxes. Gov. Rick Scott will use the forecasts to draw up budget recommendations for 2017. Preliminary estimates show economists […]

Michael MolineNovember 10, 2016

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The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation is having trouble retaining actuaries, aides to Gov. Rick Scott learned Thursday, as a raft of state agencies presented their budget requests for the next fiscal year. The office is asking for $31.6 million for FY 16-17, including $488,651 to boost its actuarial firepower, agency budget director Richard Fox said. […]

Peter SchorschNovember 5, 2016

House members hoping to get money in the 2017-18 budget will be asked to file a bill for every appropriations request they make. That change is one of several to be coming down the pike as part of new House rules, according to sources close to incoming Speaker Richard Corcoran, who will announce the new rules to […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 6, 2016

A voluntary program to encourage residents to switch from septic tanks could be getting a funding boost. Gov. Rick Scott announced Wednesday he plans to include additional funding in his 2017-18 budget to help clean up the Indian River Lagoon and Caloosahatchee River. The proposal, the governor’s office said, would include new funding for a […]

Staff ReportsJune 27, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott is known as an early riser, so no surprise he would want to get a jump on the 2017-18 budget process. LobbyTools reported Monday his office “issued written instructions to state agencies to develop budget requests which will be considered in the upcoming legislative session.” Here’s the rest of their post: The […]

Tag: 2017-18 state budget

TaxWatch Christmas gift: 15 ways to save Florida taxpayers money

Jack Latvala not keen on raiding oil spill fund to balance state budget

Austerity budget looms despite Florida’s improved state revenue forecast

Fla. economy grows, but not enough to avoid budget woes

State agencies outline spending hopes with tight budget looming

Incoming Speaker Richard Corcoran to propose dramatic changes to House appropriations process

Rick Scott to include money in 2017-18 budget proposal to help clean up Indian River Lagoon and Caloosahatchee River

It’s never too early for budget time