About TaxWatch

Mission

As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute and government watchdog, it is the mission of Florida TaxWatch to provide the citizens of Florida and public officials with high quality, independent research and analysis of issues related to state and local government taxation, expenditures, policies, and programs. Florida TaxWatch works to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government. Its research recommends productivity enhancements and explains the statewide impact of fiscal and economic policies and practices on citizens and businesses.

Values

Integrity
Productivity
Accountability
Independence
Quality Research

TaxWatch Leadership & Staff

Meet Us

We Believe

You cannot bring about prosperity
by discouraging thrift.
You cannot strengthen the weak
by weakening the strong.
You cannot help small men
by tearing down big men.
You cannot help the poor
by destroying the rich.
You cannot lift the wage earner
by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot keep out of trouble
by spending more than your income.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man
by inciting class hatreds.
You cannot establish security
on borrowed money.
You cannot establish character and courage
by taking away a man’s initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently
by doing for them what they could and should do for
themselves.

—From the pen of Reverend William John Henry Boetcker (1873-1962) and often attributed to Abraham Lincoln

What is Florida TaxWatch?

Florida TaxWatch is a private, non-profit, non-partisan research institute that over its 32 year history has become widely recognized as the watchdog of citizens' hard-earned tax dollars. Our mission is to provide the citizens of Florida and public officials with high quality, independent research and education on government revenues, expenditures, taxation, public policies and programs and to increase the productivity and accountability of Florida Government.

Florida TaxWatch’s research recommends productivity enhancements and explains the statewide impact of economic and tax and spend policies and practices on citizens and businesses. Florida TaxWatch has worked diligently and effectively to help state government shape responsible fiscal and public policy that add value and benefit taxpayers.

As the only statewide organization devoted entirely to Florida taxing and spending issues, Florida TaxWatch is ever present to ensure that taxes are equitable, not excessive, that their public benefits and costs are weighed, and that government agencies are more responsive and productive in the use of your hard-earned tax dollars.

Who Are TaxWatch Members?

Homeowners, small businesses, large corporations, philanthropic foundations, professionals, associations, labor organizations, retirees--simply stated, the taxpayers of Florida. The officers, Board of Trustees and members of Florida TaxWatch are respected leaders and citizens from across Florida, committed to improving the health and prosperity of Florida.

Supported by voluntary, tax-deductible memberships and grants, Florida TaxWatch is open to any organization or individual interested in helping to make Florida competitive, healthy and economically prosperous by supporting a credible research effort that promotes constructive taxpayer improvements. Members, through their loyal support, help Florida TaxWatch to bring about a more effective, responsive government that is accountable to the citizens it serves.

TaxWatch Impact

Over the past 32 years, Florida TaxWatch has become one of the most respected independent government watchdog groups in the country. Florida’s Governors, Cabinet officers, lawmakers, agency heads and state employees listen closely to what TaxWatch has to say in its research reports.

TaxWatch recommendations help shape state laws, constitutional amendments, budgets, and new programs, and in its first twenty years alone have saved taxpayers $6.2 billion, about $1,067 in added value for every Florida family, as independently documented by Florida State University.

Since 2009, the Florida Legislature has passed $4+billion in documented Florida TaxWatch recommended cost savings. Many other cost savings ideas, generated by several TaxWatch Government Cost Savings Task Forces, were directed at the Governor and agencies and did not require legislation. That’s money that helped avoid cuts to core services or tax and fee increases.

TaxWatch is highly credible and relevant, respected by those in both parties and chambers...and effective.

TaxWatch doesn’t throw stones; its recommendations, based on sound research, are constructive and seek to encourage parties who can make it happen toward solutions to benefit Florida, its citizens and businesses.

In every major tax and fiscal policy, Florida TaxWatch has been there, to ensure that Floridians’ hard-earned tax dollars are wisely spent to make Florida a better place to work and live.

If not for TaxWatch, there’d be:
- Less accountability by state and local governments
- More spending through waste, duplication and inefficiency
- Higher taxes
- A less competitive environment in which to conduct business
- Lower quality of life in Florida