Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Terry RoenNovember 15, 2016

Florida TaxWatch, a nonprofit government watchdog, has urged state leaders to hold Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute accountable for the $155 million in tax incentives they received to move to Florida. The Florida Department of Economic Development (DEO) asked Sanford Burnham last month to return half, or $77 million in taxpayer money, if it […]

Joe HendersonNovember 11, 2016

Mike Fasano, the Pasco County Tax Collector and former state legislator, lives near incoming Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran. They are friends and they speak frequently with each other. Sometimes they agree on policies, sometimes they don’t. But they are in total accord about the dramatic changes regarding lobbyists and other measures Corcoran has planned […]

Dominic CalabroAugust 17, 2016

For millions of parents and students this month around the Sunshine State, one of the most exciting parts of returning to school is meeting the teachers. And for good reason; teachers will spend 180 days helping students learn and grow as one of the primary influences, besides parents and family, in each child’s life. But […]

Dominic CalabroAugust 3, 2016

Few legislative decisions have been as wildly popular as Florida’s “sales tax holidays.” They have become more than just a tax break. They are a traditional back-to-school event that families plan for, neighbors talk about and businesses promote. This year’s back-to-school sales tax holiday — from Aug. 5 through 7 — is shorter than last year and […]

Dominic CalabroJuly 14, 2016

July 1 marked the first day of Florida’s 2016-17 fiscal year with the new $82.3 billion budget and 159 laws going into effect. The budget, the largest in Florida history, funds all types of services for Floridians, ranging from education and health care to state parks and court renovations. Passing a state budget is required […]

Drew WilsonJuly 1, 2016

The Florida Government Efficiency Task Force released a 29-point report Thursday that it said could produce billions in annual savings for Florida taxpayers. “These 29 recommendations, if implemented, will lead to over $2 billion in cost-savings for the taxpayers of Florida as well as improving the functions of our state government,” said Task Force Chairman […]

Drew WilsonMay 19, 2016

Florida taxpayers could save millions and live in a safer state if lawmakers make smart criminal justice reforms, nonpartisan watchdog group Florida TaxWatch said in a new report. “Lower Costs & Less Crime: Criminal Juvenile Justice Reform Options for Florida,” released this week, recommends changes to sentencing laws on low-level crimes, and expanding programs that help inmates […]

Guest AuthorApril 21, 2016

In mid-April every year, Americans take a quote from Benjamin Franklin to heart – and the bank. He said that “nothing in life can be certain except death and taxes.” At the federal, state and local level, Americans are subjected to various taxes that chip away at their paychecks. While Floridians enjoy one of the […]

Dominic CalabroMarch 28, 2016

Florida’s unemployment rate is down almost half from the peak of 11.1 percent during the Great Recession. While it is great news that the state’s annual unemployment rate was down to 5.4 percent in 2015, and down to 5 percent in January 2016, the numbers don’t tell the whole story. An underlying factor that determines […]

Dominic CalabroMarch 15, 2016

In the $82.349 billion state budget approved last week, the Legislature enacted various TaxWatch recommended bills that will improve the future for the state and its residents, including: Permanently extending the sales tax exemption on manufacturing equipment, which will boost Florida’s manufacturing industry, provide high-wage jobs for Floridians and diversify the state economy. Creating a […]

Tag: Dominic Calabro

Florida TaxWatch blasts Sanford Burnham’s escape plan

Joe Henderson: New House rules put lobbyists in their place and increase transparency

Dominic Calabro: Remember to thank principals too during the first week back to school

Dominic Calabro: Sales tax holidays — a Florida tradition and boon to taxpayers, businesses

Dominic Calabro: Florida legislators must commit to transparency and accountability in the budgeting process

New report suggests ways government efficiency can save Florida taxpayers billions

TaxWatch: Smart criminal justice reforms could save millions

Dominic Calabro: Floridians’ tax burden is less than in many other states

Dominic Calabro: There's more than meets the eye behind unemployment rate

Dominic Calabro: Kudos to Legislature for adopting TaxWatch recommendations