Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonOctober 18, 2018

The Florida Realtors, the state’s largest professional association, made a seven-figure donation to the principal committee backing one of the property tax measures that will be on the November ballot. Amendment 2 is for Everybody showed a pair checks from the trade group totaling $2.9 million during the reporting period for the week of Oct. […]

Guest AuthorOctober 9, 2018

When you go to the polls in November, there is more at stake than the general election. You’ll also be voting on Amendment 1 to the state constitution, and a no vote will help ensure that we won’t be hit right in the wallet. Florida’s property tax system is a complicated mess. Amendment 1 won’t […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 8, 2018

A simple message emerged from Florida TaxWatch on a Monday media call regarding two amendments backed by the Florida Legislature. No on 1. Yes on 2. The watchdog group opposes Amendment 1, which would increase the homestead exemption by $25,000 to $125,000, asserting that the proposal penalizes everyone and benefits a few people. Amendment 2, which […]

Peter SchorschOctober 6, 2018

Never mind candidates on the ballot. There are a dozen constitutional amendments voters must worry about on Election Day. In the interest of saving time and avoiding long lines at polling locations, it’s best Floridians equip themselves early with knowledge of each proposal, rather than making a gameday decision. As the courts have told us, […]

Lloyd DunkelbergerJune 21, 2018

A U.S. Supreme Court decision expanding the ability of states to pull in tax dollars from online purchases could have a significant impact in Florida. In a 5-4 ruling Thursday, the nation’s highest court upheld a South Dakota law that allowed the state to apply its sales tax to major online retailers, even if they […]

Danny McAuliffeJune 20, 2018

The state continues to be a relatively low-tax environment, but Floridians still face higher local tax burdens than others, according to a new report from fiscal watchdog nonprofit Florida TaxWatch. One of just seven states without a personal income tax, Florida’s state and local tax revenue figures out to $5,679 per person — the ninth-lowest […]

Danny McAuliffeJune 4, 2018

As its name suggests, Amendment 2 Is For Everybody — the campaign supporting the second proposal on the November ballot — is spreading the word that voting in favor of Amendment 2 would benefit all Floridians. The campaign hosted a Facebook Live panel on Monday with private-industry tax experts who claimed Amendment 2, which seeks to […]

Staff ReportsMay 29, 2018

Fausto Gomez, President of Gomez Barker Advisors, recently joined the Board of Trustees of Florida TaxWatch, the taxpayer research institute and watchdog organization. With his addition, TaxWatch says it’s bringing one of Florida’s “most-respected government relations counselors” on board. “We are thrilled to welcome Fausto Gomez,” TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro said in a […]

Staff ReportsMay 15, 2018

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Asked for a 30-second ‘elevator speech‘ on why voters should choose ‘yes’ for Amendment 2 in November, Florida TaxWatch president Dominic M. Calabro didn’t blink. “If you don’t vote ‘yes,’ either you or your neighbors will see massive tax increases and great deal of property tax dissatisfaction … anger even, if we see property taxes jump […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 5, 2018

Per the Florida Times-Union reportage of Wednesday’s Florida Taxwatch media call, $12.5 million state money for the Talleyrand Connector was a “turkey” in the state budget. The Talleyrand Connector will tear down Jacksonville’s current Hart Bridge offramps, routing traffic toward JAXPORT and the Sports Complex. The “turkey” designation was because the money circumvented usual process, added in late […]

Tag: Florida TaxWatch
Jared Moskowitz's CHILD Act proposes nationwide background checks for all school contract workers.

Realtors put another $2.9M behind Amendment 2

Michael Sittig: If Amendment 1 passes, most of us lose

Florida TaxWatch on Amendments: No on 1, Yes on 2

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Navigating November

Internet tax ruling could be major for Florida

Report: Overall taxation low, but local burdens high

‘There’s no catch’: Amendment 2 supporters say it’s for everyone

Personnel note: Fausto Gomez joins TaxWatch board

TaxWatch stumps for property-tax cap on November ballot

Lenny Curry, Aaron Bean, Marco Rubio claim Jacksonville Talleyrand Connector is no ‘turkey’