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Staff ReportsMarch 25, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott signed a raft of bills into law on Friday, including ones to expand medical marijuana to more patients in need. The bill extends the Right to Try Act to include medical marijuana and also gives assurances to dispensing organizations that have already received a license from the Department of State. Susan Driscoll, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 18, 2016

Money for aviation and manufacturing programs at Brevard County public schools. Cash for Hillsborough County Fair and the Hardee County cattlemen’s arena. They might be worthy projects, but they are also just a few of 143 projects on Florida TaxWatch’s annual turkey list. The 2016 list was released Friday, just one day after Gov. Rick […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 18, 2016

The governor may have already signed the budget, but that isn’t stopping Florida TaxWatch from looking for turkeys. Joe Follick, a spokesman for Florida TaxWatch, said the private, nonprofit organization still plans to release a 2016 turkey list. The organization will be in a similar position to 2015, when it issued its report days after […]

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 […]

Bob SparksMarch 11, 2016

With the state budget set to be passed Friday, attention will soon turn to the process of identifying dubious local projects funded within the budget deal. Budget “turkeys,” as they are called, are held up for scorn by Florida TaxWatch and often vetoed by the governor. As governor, Jeb Bush established firm criteria for funding […]

Guest AuthorMarch 7, 2016

While most Floridians are working and going to school this week, elected officials in Tallahassee are considering how to spend an eye-popping $80 billion of your hard-earned tax money. That’s nearly $4,000 for every adult and child in the state. Too few Floridians have the time to keep an eye on Tallahassee to make sure […]

Dominic CalabroMarch 6, 2016

While most Floridians are working and going to school this week, elected officials in Tallahassee are considering how to spend an eye-popping $80 billion of your hard-earned tax money. That’s nearly $4,000 for every adult and child in the state. Too few Floridians have the time to keep an eye on Tallahassee to make sure […]

Staff ReportsMarch 1, 2016

Lawmakers in the Florida House and Senate are recommending that $214.1 million be set aside from Florida’s housing trust funds toward affordable housing. Jaimie Ross, facilitator of the Sadowski Coalition, and president and CEO of the Florida Housing Coalition, said in a statement: “The Sadowski Coalition applauds the Senate and House for coming to a […]

Drew WilsonMarch 1, 2016

Nonpartisan government watchdog Florida TaxWatch has named Robert Cruz as its new chief economist, the group announced Tuesday. Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic Calabro said the hire “will further Florida TaxWatch’s status as the premier government watchdog in the Sunshine State.” “We are excited to welcome Dr. Cruz to our team,” Calabro said. “He brings a breadth of […]

Ryan RayFebruary 18, 2016

Florida TaxWatch trumpeted the release of a new report Thursday morning, in which the conservative watchdog group endorsed plans to keep tax dollars flowing to economic incentives along the lines of those favored by Gov. Rick Scott, including $250 million Scott has requested for a dedicated fund for Enterprise Florida business recruitment efforts. The report titled “A […]

Tag: Florida TaxWatch
Image via Miami International Airport/Miami-Dade County.

Capitol Reax: Medical marijuana, abortion restrictions, IT security, criminal justice

Florida TaxWatch: 2016-17 budget includes $104.9 million in turkeys

Gobble, gobble: Florida TaxWatch still planning to release 2016 budget turkey list

Dominic Calabro: Kudos to Legislature for adopting TaxWatch recommendations

Enticing JetBlue to Tallahassee offers statewide benefits

Dominic Calabro: Floridians deserve an accountable, transparent budgeting process

Dominic Calabro: Floridians deserve an accountable and transparent budgeting process

Capitol Reax: Money for affordable housing, nurse practitioners, funding for sick children, fracking

Florida TaxWatch names Robert Cruz new chief economist

Florida TaxWatch backs Enterprise Florida fund, economic incentives