Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Danny McAuliffeNovember 7, 2017

After hearing support from Gov. Rick Scott, the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday cleared a measure that would amend Florida’s constitution to require a legislative supermajority in each chamber to create or increase a tax or fee. The proposed language defines a supermajority as two-thirds of membership and would require 60 percent voter […]

Staff ReportsOctober 31, 2017

It’s that time of year to be frightened – not by ghosts or goblins, but by Florida’s tax rules on candy. Every year, Florida TaxWatch, the nonpartisan government watchdog, uses Halloween to demonstrate the state’s boggling rules on what gets taxed and what doesn’t. “Groceries are generally exempt from Florida sales tax, but candy can get confusing,” it says. […]

Guest AuthorAugust 9, 2017

Ask the average Floridian on the street, “Who does the business of state government?” and you’ll likely hear responses such as the governor or the name of a local senator or representative. Though these are figures the media covers on a daily basis, in reality, it is the thousands of government employees that make up […]

Mitch PerryAugust 3, 2017

Darryl Rouson says that he was legitimately undecided days before the Florida Senate would vote on whether to place a measure on the 2018 ballot to increase Florida’s homestead exemption. A late amendment that would exempt 29 of the state’s poorest counties from being affected by the loss of property tax revenues ultimately led him […]

Mitch PerryJuly 22, 2017

While it won’t go into effect for another year and a half, the expected passage of a Florida constitutional amendment expanding the homestead exemption is already giving local officials severe headaches. On the 2018 ballot, Amendment 1 asks voters to approve an expansion of the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $75,000 of the first $100,000 […]

Jim RosicaJuly 5, 2017

The new president of The Florida Bar says the organization is standing by to offer “technical legal” support to the Constitution Revision Commission as it readies to amend the state’s governing document, which could include changes affecting the judicial branch. But Michael J. Higer, a partner in Berger Singerman’s Miami office, won’t say which public […]

Staff ReportsJune 29, 2017

Few Floridians appear to be aware of the Constitution Revision Commission, according to a new survey meant gauge how much Florida voters know about the process. A new survey from Florida TaxWatch found 77 percent of Florida voters said they haven’t heard about recent Constitution Revision Commission meetings. Another 13 percent of respondents, according to […]

Staff ReportsJune 28, 2017

Chris Hart IV, who stepped down after less than three months as CEO of Enterprise Florida (EFI), has taken a post as Executive Vice President of Florida TaxWatch, the organization announced Thursday. “We are thrilled to welcome Chris as part of the Florida TaxWatch family as a key part of our leadership team,” TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro […]

Phil AmmannMay 26, 2017

Florida TaxWatch, the nonpartisan government watchdog organization, served up its annual list of “Budget Turkeys,” naming almost $178 million in line-item projects part of the $82.4 billion budget passed May 8 by the Florida House and Senate. For the Tampa Bay region, Florida TaxWatch targeted more than $33 million in local projects as individual line […]

Phil AmmannMay 26, 2017

Thanksgiving is six months away, but Friday is “turkey” day for Gov. Rick Scott. Florida TaxWatch, the nonpartisan government watchdog group, released its annual “Budget Turkey List,” of almost $178 million in line-item projects that are part of the $82.4 billion budget passed May 8 by the Florida House and Senate. Budget Turkeys are individual […]

Tag: Florida TaxWatch
The Seminoles are desperately seeking a win this weekend. Let's hope it happens.

With Rick Scott’s blessing, tax supermajority clears committee

Taxes tricky for Halloween treats, TaxWatch says

Dominic Calabro, Bob Ward: Without state workers, there is no Florida

Darryl Rouson’s past used against him by local official during homestead expansion debate

Tampa local officials bemoan expected expansion of Florida homestead exemption

Florida Bar will focus on ‘protecting the courts’ during constitutional revision process

Florida Taxwatch survey finds Florida voters unaware of Constitution Revision Commission

Personnel note: Chris Hart IV joins Florida TaxWatch

Tampa Bay region marked for $33M in Florida TaxWatch ‘turkeys’

Rick Scott gets $178M serving of Florida TaxWatch ‘budget turkeys’