Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Dominic CalabroJuly 14, 2016

July 1 marked the first day of Florida’s 2016-17 fiscal year with the new $82.3 billion budget and 159 laws going into effect. The budget, the largest in Florida history, funds all types of services for Floridians, ranging from education and health care to state parks and court renovations. Passing a state budget is required […]

Drew WilsonJuly 1, 2016

The Florida Government Efficiency Task Force released a 29-point report Thursday that it said could produce billions in annual savings for Florida taxpayers. “These 29 recommendations, if implemented, will lead to over $2 billion in cost-savings for the taxpayers of Florida as well as improving the functions of our state government,” said Task Force Chairman […]

Guest AuthorMay 23, 2016

As Florida residents continue to engage in this presidential election, Republicans, Democrats and independents are split on many pressing issues. But there’s one issue many voters are united on — criminal justice reform. Nearly every American has a family member, loved one or neighbor who has — or who will — come into contact with the criminal […]

Drew WilsonMay 19, 2016

Florida taxpayers could save millions and live in a safer state if lawmakers make smart criminal justice reforms, nonpartisan watchdog group Florida TaxWatch said in a new report. “Lower Costs & Less Crime: Criminal Juvenile Justice Reform Options for Florida,” released this week, recommends changes to sentencing laws on low-level crimes, and expanding programs that help inmates […]

Jim RosicaMay 4, 2016

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News of The Tampa Tribune’s demise left Allison North Jones “crestfallen,” she said. Jones, a capital bureau reporter for the Tribune from 2003-06, is one of a handful of former employees still in Tallahassee. “My instant reaction was just a little bit heartbroken,” said Jones, who now owns her own PR firm in town, on Wednesday. “I […]

Guest AuthorApril 21, 2016

In mid-April every year, Americans take a quote from Benjamin Franklin to heart – and the bank. He said that “nothing in life can be certain except death and taxes.” At the federal, state and local level, Americans are subjected to various taxes that chip away at their paychecks. While Floridians enjoy one of the […]

Melissa RossApril 12, 2016

Pension reform (not just in Jacksonville, but statewide) was one of the hot topics at the Florida TaxWatch roundtable luncheon hosted by powerhouse legal firm Holland & Knight and attended by a local who’s who of players. The forum, which also featured this website’s own A.G. Gancarski as a panelist, also touched on other issues […]

Dominic CalabroMarch 28, 2016

Florida’s unemployment rate is down almost half from the peak of 11.1 percent during the Great Recession. While it is great news that the state’s annual unemployment rate was down to 5.4 percent in 2015, and down to 5 percent in January 2016, the numbers don’t tell the whole story. An underlying factor that determines […]

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 […]

Tag: Florida TaxWatch
Pope Leo XIV. Image via AP.

Dominic Calabro: Florida legislators must commit to transparency and accountability in the budgeting process

New report suggests ways government efficiency can save Florida taxpayers billions

Dominic Calabro & Howard Simon: Lawmakers must back criminal justice reform

TaxWatch: Smart criminal justice reforms could save millions

Tampa Tribune alumni in Tallahassee mourn the loss

Dominic Calabro: Floridians’ tax burden is less than in many other states

Florida TaxWatch: “We need to look at statewide pension reform”

Dominic Calabro: There's more than meets the eye behind unemployment rate

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

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