TaxWatch News

What began 29 years ago with a desire by legislators and business to curb state government spending has evolved today into Florida′s premier government watchdog, with an impressive record in its first two decades alone of saving taxpayers more than $6.2 billion - approximately $1,067 for every Florida family.

And along the way, the Florida TaxWatch Research Institute has helped constructively shape policy in the areas of taxation, spending, health, education, prisons, transportation, tourism, and local government issues. Its research and recommendations are reported on regularly by the statewide news media.

Press Releases

2010

• $3.2 Billion in State Government Cost Savings Identified Florida TaxWatch Task Force Urges Legislature to Act, March 4, 2010
• Briefing: Recap of "Five Good Things About Florida's Economy" Forum, February 26, 2010
• Florida TaxWatch Presents Recommendations for Boosting Investment, Economic Growth, and Job Creation: Ideas presented by the research institute in anticipation of the upcoming Florida Jobs Summit, January 14, 2010

2009

• Dominic M. Calabro, President & CEO, Florida TaxWatch Regarding the filing of HB 447, December 8, 2009
• Florida TaxWatch Releases Analysis of the Importance of Foreign Trade to Florida's Economic Future, November 18, 2009
• Palm Beach County Property Taxes and Budget on the Way Back Up, October 27, 2009
• Florida TaxWatch Releases Analysis of Florida's Ranking in State Competitiveness Indexes, July 30, 2009
• Florida TaxWatch Releases New Recommendations to Improve Escambia County Government, July 24, 2009
• State Employees Honored For Innovative Ideas Florida TaxWatch Honors Those Who Save Taxpayers Money, June 10, 2009
• State Employees Honored For Innovative Ideas Florida TaxWatch Honors Those Who Save Taxpayers Money, June 9, 2009
• State Employees Honored For Innovative Ideas Florida TaxWatch Honors Those Who Save Taxpayers Money, June 8, 2009
• State Employees Honored For Innovative Ideas Florida TaxWatch Honors Those Who Save Taxpayers Money, June 5, 2009
• Florida TaxWatch Releases The 2009 Turkey Watch Report, May 26, 2009
• Florida TaxWatch Briefing Shows How Vital Streamlined Sales Tax Legislation can be Revenue Neutral, April 24, 2009
• Florida TaxWatch Report: Establishing a Retirement Visa Would Help Revive Florida's Real Estate Industry, April 23, 2009
• Florida TaxWatch Report Concludes Solar Energy could be a Catalyst for Investment and Jobs in the Sunshine State, April 21, 2009
• Florida Taxpayer Independence Day 2009 - April 19 Independence Day Ties Record as Earliest in More than Three Decades, April 21, 2009
• Florida TaxWatch Study: Analysis of the Collection and Allocation of Court-Related Revenues within Florida's Judicial System, April 7, 2009
• Legislature Should Modernize Corporate Income Tax Allocation Formula to Boost State's Economy, March 26, 2009
• Florida TaxWatch Study: Losses to Other State Taxes Reduces State Revenue from Seminole Gaming Compact, March 20, 2009
• Florida TaxWatch Presents Lessons and Recommendations on Sales Tax Exemption Review to Senate Finance and Tax Committee, March 12, 2009
• Florida TaxWatch Releases Analysis of Florida's Hospital Taxing District System, February 24, 2009
• Florida TaxWatch Applauds the Florida Senate for Unanimously Passing Bill Implementing Cost-Savings and Revenue Maximization Recommendations, January 9, 2009
• Florida TaxWatch Releases Detailed Cost-Savings Recommendations Worth More than $2.5 Billion, January 8,2009

2008

• Joint Statement Regarding Florida Cabinet Action on Corporate Income Tax Glitch, December 9, 2008
• Florida TaxWatch Analysis Finds Fixing Corporate Income Tax Glitch will Benefit State Economy by Hundreds of Millions of Dollars, December 8, 2008
• Governor and Cabinet May Clarify Corporate Income Tax Law Just in the Nick of Time, December 5, 2008
• Florida TaxWatch Statement on New Revenue Estimates, November 23, 2008
• Florida TaxWatch Calls for Special Session to Clarify Corporate Income Tax Law to Avoid Potential Loss of Jobs and Further Harm to Florida′s Economy, November 10, 2008
• Florida TaxWatch Announces New Executive Director of Florida TaxWatch Center for Competitive Florida, November 6, 2008
• Florida TaxWatch Releases Voter Guide to the Proposed Constitutional Tax Amendments on the November 4, 2008 Ballot, October 3, 2008
• Florida Supreme Court Strikes Constitutional Tax Proposal known as Amendment 5 from November Ballot, Amendments 7 and 9 concerning school vouchers also struck by High Court, September 3, 2008
• Florida TaxWatch Statement on the Circuit Court Striking Amendment 5 from the Ballot, August 14, 2008
• Florida TaxWatch to Release Study on Enhancing Efficiencies in Jacksonville City Government, August 11, 2008
• Florida TaxWatch Releases Analysis of the Constitutional Tax Proposal known as Amendment 5, July 23, 2008
• Florida TaxWatch Releases Recommendations on How to Improve Escambia County Government, June 20, 2008
• Florida TaxWatch Statement on the 2008-09 Budget Signing: Governor Leaves $109 Million Worth of Turkeys in the Budget, June 11, 2008
• State Employees Honored for Innovative Ideas Florida TaxWatch Honors Those Who Save Taxpayers Money, June 9, 2008
• State Employees Honored for Innovative Ideas Florida TaxWatch Honors Those Who Save Taxpayers Money, June 5 2008
• Florida TaxWatch Annual Turkey Watch Report Finds Over $100 Million in Budget Turkeys in Tightest Budget, May 30, 2008
• Florida TaxWatch Commends Legislature for Including Needed State Economic Stimulus Package in 2009 Budget, April 29, 2008
• Florida TaxWatch Releases Analysis Showing that Florida Needs State Economic Stimulus Package, April 25, 2008
• Florida TaxWatch Center for Educational Performance and Accountability Releases 2009 Budget Cost Savings Recommendations Report, April 1, 2008
• Florida TaxWatch Releases Report on Civil Court Filing Fee Waivers for Indigent Floridians, March 19, 2008
• Statement from Florida TaxWatch on Reduced Revenue Estimates, March 11, 2008
• Florida TaxWatch Releases Preliminary Results of its Analysis of Escambia County's Tax and Spending Practices, February 4, 2008
• Florida TaxWatch Releases Report on Cost Determination for Juvenile Justice Programs, January 31, 2008
• Amendment 1 on Property Taxes is Not True Reform and is Likely to Do More Harm than Good, January 11, 2008
• David Smith is New Chairman of Florida TaxWatch, January 8, 2008

2007

• Two Independent Education Organizations Form Partnership to Recognize Exemplary School Principals, November 20, 2007
• Florida Virtual School Costs Taxpayers Less and Its Students Perform Better, November 5, 2007
• Legislature′s Property Tax Reform Plan Is Seriously Lacking, October 31, 2007
• New Florida TaxWatch Report Urges Comprehensive Property Tax Reform, October 12, 2007
• Local Governments Can Save Taxpayers Tens of Millions with Award-Winning Efficiency Improvements, September 20, 2007
• Budget Cuts Offer Florida Unique Cost-Savings and Effiency Opportunities, September 20, 2007
• Statement by Dominic M. Calabro on Delay of Special Session on Budget Shortfall, September 5, 2007
• Foreign Visitors, Investors Passing Up Florida Immigration and Visa Policy a Turn-Off; Hurting State′s Economy, June 28, 2007
• State Employees Honored for Innovative Ideas Florida TaxWatch Honors Those Who Save Taxpayers Money, June 20, 2007
• State Employees Honored for Innovative Ideas Florida TaxWatch Honors Those Who Save Taxpayers Money, June 18, 2007
• Clearing Freeway Accidents Faster in South Florida an Award Winnning Idea Saves Motorists Time and Taxpayers Money, June 14, 2007
• State Employees Honored for Innovative Ideas Florida TaxWatch Honors Those Who Save Taxpayers Money, June 13, 2007
• State Employees Honored for Innovative Ideas Florida TaxWatch Honors Those Who Save Taxpayers Money, June 12, 2007
• State Employees Honored for Innovative Ideas Florida TaxWatch Honors Those Who Save Taxpayers Money, June 6, 2007
• Statement from Dominic M. Calabro, President & CEO of Florida TaxWatch on Governor Crist′s Budget Vetoes:, May 24, 2007
• Legislature Fond of Budget Turkeys While State Revenues Dwindle and Property Tax Hikes Abound, May 22, 2007
• Property Tax/Sales Tax Swap Will Hurt Florida′s Economy REMI Model Predicts Economy will Suffer from Swap, May , 2007
• Florida Taxpayer Independence Day 2007 – April 29 Floridians′ Income Should Keep Pace with Taxes, April 27, 2007
• Statement from Florida TaxWatch on the Property Tax Reform Proposal by the Florida Senate, April 12, 2007
• Florida is Missing Out on an Estimated $2 Billion Annually, April 6, 2007
• Florida is Missing Out on an Estimated $2 Billion, April 5, 2007
• What Property Tax Crisis? Legislature Wants to Increase School Property Tax By More Than $500 Million, March 30, 2007
• Florida TaxWatch Task Force Provides Florida′s Policymakers with Recommendations for Outsourcing Success, March 28, 2007
• Florida Legislature Should Focus on Providing Property Tax Relief Now, March 22, 2007
• Tourism′s Impact on Florida May Be Greater Than We Know, March 8, 2007
• Florida TaxWatch Immigration Summit Outlines Possible Solutions, February 23, 2007
• Statement from Dominic M. Calabro on the Property Tax Reform Proposal by the Florida House, February 21, 2007
• Florida TaxWatch Makes Recommendations to the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, February 19, 2007
• TaxWatch Members Named to TBRC, February 16, 2007
• Disassembling Florida State Government May be Easier Thanks to Technology, February 6, 2007
• Statement from Florida TaxWatch on Governor Crist′s Property Tax Recommendations, January 30, 2007
• Pride is Back on Track, January 9, 2007