Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Dominic CalabroFebruary 17, 2017

Shaping up to be one of the biggest battles in the Legislature in many years, the fight on economic development incentives and tourism funding has been swirling throughout the halls of the Capitol the last few weeks. On one side are those who believe that taxpayer dollars should not be used to entice businesses and […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 18, 2017

The Florida Supreme Court’s decision not to take up a contentious school vouchers lawsuit continued to garner reaction throughout Wednesday. Betsy DeVos, President-elect Donald Trump‘s nominee for U.S. Education Secretary, tweeted, “Congrats to the Florida families who have a clear path toward more opportunity due to #SchoolChoice w/ today’s FL Supreme Court decision!” Florida House […]

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

Florida TaxWatch on Thursday welcomed a rosier new state revenue forecast, but said the extra money won’t pay for big-ticket investments sought by Rick Scott and legislative leaders. “Money will be tight this year and lawmakers who are concerned about a tough budget year should find ways to cut costs and save money,” TaxWatch President […]

Darryl PaulsonNovember 30, 2016

(Part two of two) In the first part of this article, I focused on the origins of the felon vote in Florida and the consequences it creates for both those convicted of a felony and on the Florida taxpayers. This part will focus on the various options concerning the felon vote. We know that over […]

Darryl PaulsonNovember 29, 2016

(First of two parts) Over a half-century ago, CBS News and journalist Edward R. Murrow aired a documentary about Florida’s migrant farmworkers called “Harvest of Shame.” Murrow documented the long hours and low wages of the migrant farmers, along with the poor health care, housing and education for the migrant families. A similar documentary could […]

Staff ReportsNovember 23, 2016

David Mann, an executive with SunTrust Bank, has assumed the chairmanship of FloridaTaxwatch, the government watchdog organization. The transition came during TaxWatch’s board meeting on Nov. 17 and was announced Wednesday. Former state Sen. Pat Neal of Neal Communities, a homebuilding company, became chairman-elect. Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, chairman of Gunster, is treasurer, and […]

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 […]

Phil AmmannOctober 31, 2016

For many Floridians, the most unsettling part of Halloween isn’t ghosts, goblins, or zombies. It’s figuring the state’s tax rules on candy. The innocent goody bag can become a minefield of tax policy, with often-confusing rules governing grocery store purchases statewide and throughout the country. Florida TaxWatch, the nonprofit bipartisan government watchdog, uses Halloween to demonstrate exactly […]

Tag: Florida TaxWatch
Image via AP.

Economic development incentives drive jobs to Florida, boost state economy

Officials, others respond to school vouchers case

TaxWatch Christmas gift: 15 ways to save Florida taxpayers money

TaxWatch: Revenue boost won’t pay for state leaders’ wish lists

The Shame of Florida: Options on the felon vote

The Shame of Florida: How Florida’s felon vote is ruining lives and costing taxpayers

Personnel note: SunTrust’s David Mann is Florida TaxWatch’s new chairman

Florida TaxWatch blasts Sanford Burnham’s escape plan

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

A real fright for Halloween: Florida tax rules on candy, treats