Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineApril 4, 2018

Florida’s new $88.7 billion state budget contains 87 “turkeys” worth $147.5 million, Florida TaxWatch announced Wednesday, including nearly $120 million in transportation projects slipped in by state legislators without formal evaluation. That helped starve arts spending. The Department of State had ranked 489 cultural, museum, and other arts projects worth $41.6 million, but the Legislature […]

Jim RosicaMarch 16, 2018

Talk about pre-emption. With Gov. Rick Scott speedily approving the 2018-19 state budget and issuing line-item vetoes just two days after it hit his desk, Florida TaxWatch was prevented from holding its signature event: The annual presentation of “Budget Turkeys.” “This historically, exceptionally fast turnaround time did not allow Florida TaxWatch to fully complete the meticulous […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 10, 2018

Tradition abounds in Tallahassee as Florida lawmakers return to begin the people’s business for 2018. The annual 60-day Legislative Session began Tuesday with Rick Scott’s State of the State address — his last as Governor — followed by the custom of opening statements from each chamber’s leader charting past accomplishments and future goals. But among […]

Jim RosicaNovember 17, 2017

Chris Hart IV, who last was with Florida TaxWatch, will be the next CEO of the statewide Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers association, according to a Friday press release. He starts Dec. 4. Hart “will provide strong leadership to our association,” said Marcia M. Johnson, Franklin County Clerk and Comptroller and 2017-18 Board President, in a statement. […]

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 […]

Tag: Florida TaxWatch

Florida TaxWatch finds $147.5 million in ‘turkeys’ in state budget

Quick budget turnaround cuts TaxWatch off at the pass

Florida TaxWatch turns focus to taxpayers with annual Session event

Personnel note: Chris Hart IV to head Court Clerks group

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