Letter from the Chairman

106 N. Bronough Street º Tallahassee, FL 32301 º www.FloridaTaxWatch.org º Phone: (850) 222-5052 º Fax: (850) 222-7476

July 1, 2010

Dear Distinguished Task Force Members:

Welcome! Thank you for lending your time and expertise to the Florida TaxWatch Government Cost Savings Task Force for FY 2011‐12. This effort was originally constituted in 2008 to provide constructive ideas to help Florida address the FY 2008‐09 budget shortfall as the Legislature prepared to begin a special session to reduce expenditures. Since then, the purpose and scope of the Government Cost Savings Task Force has grown. The FY 2011‐12 Task Force has been created to analyze and provide recommendations for cost‐effective improvements in the operation of Florida’s government, with special emphasis on certain vital areas. On behalf of the Florida TaxWatch Executive Committee and Board of Trustees, we appreciate your contribution to this important endeavor.

This effort will build on a history of success. The recommendations of the Government Cost Savings Task Force have generated more than $3 billion in cost savings since the publication of the first report in January 2009. Implementation of the recommendations of the Government Cost Savings Task Force for FY 2010‐11 alone saved as much as $2 billion in the current budget year.

This Task Force will build upon the previous work by focusing our analysis more acutely on the key areas of criminal justice, government procurement, pensions, and state health care expenditures (including Medicaid and state employee health care). Florida TaxWatch believes this more specifically concentrated effort will yield savings in areas particularly ripe for refinement.

Thank you for your commitment to foster new and innovative solutions that will lead Florida through these tough times to emerge as a trailblazer for government accountability, efficiency, and fiscal responsibility.

The members of this Task Force bring invaluable experience in both business and public service. With your participation and effort, we will look forward to a better tomorrow in our beautiful state; one that is best ensured by an efficient government, led through sound fiscal stewardship while continuing to provide quality core services to even the most vulnerable among us.

Sincerely,

David A. Smith Chairman of the Government Cost Savings Task Force Chairman of Florida TaxWatch

Marshall Criser, III Vice‐Chair of the Government Cost Savings Task Force Chairman‐Elect of Florida TaxWatch