Local Government Research

Research By Issue Area

For more taxwatch work on local government issues, visit: 

Research on Local Government Issues


Bringing FL-SOLARIS to Life
4/2013 According to this Briefing, progress on the organization of state-owned lands and facilities records has been made, although there is more to be done. The large, yet basic database has been established, but the important tasks of maintaining its relevance and making improvements remain. Phase II of this project offers significant taxpayer value.


Reforming Floridas Claim Bill Process
3/2013 Floridas claim bill process is in need of reform. This process—by which persons can petition the legislature for payment of tort claims against government—has received increased attention in recent years due to high profile cases and large awards. This Report makes recommendations on reforming the system.


Economic Commentary: The Disproportionate Effect of Sequestration on Florida
2/2013 If the "Sequester" kicks in on March 1, the immediate cuts to the budget authority are $85 billion, and the Congressional Budget Office has indicated that spending will be reduced by $44 billion by the end of September 2013. It is incredibly important that everyone understands how detrimental these cuts will be to U.S.’s fourth largest economy and to its recovery from the Great Recession. This Economic Commentary details some of the effects of these automatic federal spending cuts on Florida.


Legislature Should Reduce Floridas Communications Services Tax
2/2013 This Briefing looks at the history of the CST in Florida, compares Floridas rates to other states, finding that Florida is the fourth-highest state in the U.S. for this tax, and recommends that the Legislature look to reduce CST rates to "benefit a wide range of Floridians, affecting virtually all individuals and businesses."


Looking at Florida's Municipal Pensions
2/2013 Some Florida cities are taking meaningful steps towards reducing their pension liabilities, according to this Report, released by Florida TaxWatch, and the LeRoy Collins Institute, housed at Florida State University.


Investing in Tourism: the Economic Impact of Expanding Florida Tourism
1/2013 The economic modeling done in this Report, looking at the impact of investing more in Florida's tourism industry, indicates that the Florida tourism industry reaching the milestone of 100 million annual visitors would create 121,298 jobs, and increase overall personal income for Floridians by $5.3 billion.


Government Cost Savings Task Force Report for FY2013-14
1/2013 Continuing a legacy that has resulted in the savings of at least $3.5 billion in Floridians' hard-earned tax dollars over the last four years alone, Florida TaxWatch added more than $1 billion in cost-saving options for lawmakers this year, with the release of this Report. This year's Report is the fifth in as many years from Florida TaxWatch, the independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute and government watchdog headquartered in Tallahassee.


The 2012 Voter Guide
10/2012 Consistent with the research and educational mission of Florida TaxWatch, the 2012 Voter Guide is the third consecutive Guide released during a statewide election cycle. TaxWatch released similar Guides in 2010 and 2008, and has written extensively on individual Constitutional Amendments going back nearly 30 years.


Fiscal and Economic Impact of Amendment 4
6/2012 A proposed Constitutional Amendment on the November 2012 ballot would create Florida jobs, grow Florida’s Gross Domestic Product, and increase the personal income of Floridians, according to this new analysis from the TaxWatch Center for Competitive Florida


Florida's Top Ten Largest Public Employers by County
5/2012 The Briefing surveys the significance of public-sector employment in Florida counties by examining the ten largest employers per county, and finds that public employers are the top employer (by number of employees) in 51 of the 67 counties in Florida, and one of the top five employers in every single county in the state.


Florida Missing Opportunities to Take Advantage of Federal Programs for Energy-Saving Measures
5/2012 According to this report, Florida has the potential to collect millions of dollars for energy efficiency enhancement projects already completed, or planned.


2012 Taxpayer Independence Day
4/2012 Friday, April 20, is Florida Taxpayer Independence Day 2012, as estimated by Florida TaxWatch. On that day, Floridians are finally earning money for themselves –not for the tax collector. This symbolic date assumes that every dollar earned since January 1 goes to pay federal, state, and local tax obligations.


County by County Data (an interactive webpage)
10/2011 The "Download" link below will take you to an interactive page offering a county by county breakdown showing wide range of data relating to population, income, tax revenues and expenditures.


How Florida Counties Compare
10/2011 "This report compares the revenue and expenditure profiles of Florida's 67 counties to provide taxpayers an overview of how their local governments compare with the rest of the state's. While the focus is on county and municipal governments, there is information on all types of local jurisdictions, including special districts and school districts. "


Analysis of Unreserved Funds- Debt- and Property Utilization in Palm Beach County
9/2011 "Specific areas of Palm Beach County government and the management of taxpayer dollars are the focus of this report. Also noted, are significant opportunities for improvement in the management and utilization of specific assets. "


Improving Accountability and Transparency in Escambia County Government Phase II
7/2009 This Special Report details how Escambia County is seeking creative solutions to dealing with the recession.


Florida's Fragmented Hospital Taxing District System in Need of Reexamination
2/2009 "Criticisms of hospital districts include lack of accountability, mismanagement, escalating taxes, and expansion of purpose and power. This briefing traces their history and explains why a comprehensive review is overdue."


Enhancing Efficiencies in the City of Jacksonville
8/2008


Improving Transparency and Accountability in Escambia County Government
6/2008


Clarifying the Constitutional Role of the Clerk of the Circuit Court As County Auditor Will Help Improve Local Government Accountability for Florida Taxpayers
4/2008


Productivity Improvements Can Help Florida s Local Governments Save Millions and Minimize Cuts in Services
9/2007


Process to Amend Local Government Charters Should Be Amended to Ensure Accountability- Integrity- and Transparency
3/2007


Who s Watching Florida s Special Districts?
1/2007


Controlling Escalating Property Taxation and Local Government Spending and Revenue
12/2006


Florida TaxWatch Palm Beach Budget Study with Addendum
7/2006


The Initial Price Impact of Closing the Production of Crushed Rock in the Lake Belt Region of Miami-Dade County
6/2006


Voters Approve 8 of 9 Proposed Local Taxes - With More to Come
10/2002


Improved Efficiency = $22 Million for Hillsborough County; Florida TaxWatch and Blue Ribbon Committee Recommendations Prompt Service Delivery Improvements; Much Remains to be Done
5/2002


How Florida Counties Compare
11/2001


Florida TaxWatch Study of Leon County's One-Cent Local Option Infrastructure Sales Tax
7/2000

Voter Guides

2013 Taxpayer Independence Day


Economic Commentary: The Disproportionate Effect of Sequestration on Florida

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