Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 22, 2017

A bill to repeal the so-called “tampon tax” cleared another hurdle, passing a key Senate appropriations committee Wednesday. The Senate Finance and Tax Appropriations Subcommittee approved a proposal (SB 176) to make feminine hygiene products, like tampons, exempt from state sales and use tax. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, now heads to the […]

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 […]

Michael MolineDecember 12, 2016

The Florida Legislature may have nearly $142 million more to spend next year than previously expected, but that won’t save lawmakers from difficult choices during the spring legislative session. The revenue forecast for the fiscal year ending in June could run $119.3 million ahead of the previous forecast in September, according to preliminary numbers approved […]

Michael MolineNovember 14, 2016

State officials trying to nail down how much money Florida government will have to spend next year confronted two major uncertainties Monday: Whether and when a long-expected surge in housing construction will arrive. And whether Donald Trump will govern as he campaigned. “It’s really too early to build in anything that’s unique to the Trump […]

Jim RosicaJuly 20, 2016

The state’s economic forecasters are predicting a hit to state coffers in years ahead because of tax breaks passed this legislative session. The losses total in the tens of millions each year until 2021, according to a report posted online Tuesday. Still, the lost revenue per year counts as less than a percent of the state’s annual […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 23, 2016

A new slots casino in Palm Beach County could be a winner out of the latest version of gambling laws to come out of the Florida Legislature this Session, state economists said Tuesday. The Revenue Estimating Conference, a panel of economic forecasters, talked about its assessments stemming from the Senate’s current gambling bill (SB 7072). The actual numbers were […]

Jim RosicaDecember 23, 2015

Higher Cash 3 and Play 4 sales, as well as increased scratch-off ticket sales, have led to a growth in Florida Lottery revenue, according to the state’s economic forecasters. Total ticket sales were $79 million over estimate for July-November of this year, the state’s Revenue Estimating Conference reported on Dec. 8. At the same time, […]

Ryan RayDecember 2, 2015

The state Revenue Estimating Conference, a panel of economists gathered to discuss revenue levels expected to flow into state coffers from gaming proceeds Wednesday afternoon, including from the banked card games and Las Vegas-style slots the Seminole Tribe of Florida operate under an exclusive compact with the state.. The consensus, now that the deal has […]

Jim RosicaNovember 20, 2015

Legislation is moving in the Legislature that would allow people to buy their lottery tickets at the gas pump despite a lingering question that the measure is an expansion of gambling. The question is more than moral or academic: Expanded gambling is a condition for the Seminole Tribe of Florida to stop sharing revenue from its […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 2, 2015

Florida has tied with Iowa for having the 10th-best-funded state pension system in the country, according to a recent report by Employee Benefit Adviser. The Florida Retirement System is 81 percent funded, the report said, though the survey noted it used figures from 2013. That number differs from the State Board of Administration, which manages the […]

Tag: Revenue Estimating Conference

Senate Finance & Tax Appropriations Committee OK’s ‘tampon tax’ exemption

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

Austerity budget looms despite Florida’s improved state revenue forecast

Florida budget forecasters sweating housing starts, ‘Trump effect’

Forecast shows state losing millions yearly because of tax cuts

State economists see Palm Beach as a winner under gambling proposal

Florida Lottery revenues on rise

Forecast uncertain for gaming revenue as Seminole compact still unresolved

Is it “expanding gambling” to sell lottery tickets at gas pumps?

Florida ranked No. 10 among states with “best-funded” state pensions