Press Release Archives

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

2006

• Federal Tax Deduction on State Sales Taxes Extended, December 20, 2006
• Florida TaxWatch Urges Stronger Controls on Rising Property Taxes and Spending, December 15, 2006
• Advice to the New Governor: Governor′s Transition Decision Handbook Offers Lessons from Past Failures and Successes, November 21, 2006
• Statement by Dominic M. Calabro, Florida TaxWatch President on Phone Solicitations by ″Trust the Voters″, October 24, 2006
• Amendment 3 Crucial to Preserving Voters′ and Taxpayers′ Rights, October 20, 2006
• Victoria Vangalis-Zepp Joins Florida TaxWatch, September 29, 2006
• Palm Beach Government Taxing More Despite Record High Reserves Using Excess Reserve to Aviod a Tax Increase Recommended, July 13, 2006
• Prudential Financial - Davis Productivity Awards Honors 55 in Greater Miami Area, June 22, 2006
• Statement by Dominic M. Calabro, Florida TaxWatch President, on the Governor′s Executive Order 06-141 Creating the ″Property Tax Reform Committee″, June 22, 2006
• Prudential Financial - Davis Productivity Awards Honors 25 in West Palm Beach, June 21, 2006
• Prudential Financial - Davis Productivity Awards Honors 78 in Central Florida, June 19, 2006
• Prudential Financial - Davis Productivity Awards Honors 59 in Greater Tampa Bay Area, June 16 2006
• Closing Lake Belt Mining Poses Seriuos Threat to Florida's Economy Initial Price Impct Huge, June 13 2006
• Prudential Financial - Davis Productivity Awards Honors 42 in Gainesville, June 9 2006
• Prudential Financial - Davis Productivity Awards Honors 17 in Jacksonville, June 8 2006
• Statement from Dominic M. Calabro, President & CEO of Florida TaxWatch on Governor Bush′s Budget Vetoes, May 25 2006
• More Revenue Brings More Budget Turkeys But Not as Large a Flock as Feared Given Unprecedented Budget, May 24 2006
• Personal Income Outpacing Taxes in Florida Taxpayers′ Independence Coming Earlier in the Year, April 28 2006
• Statement by Dominic M. Calabro, Florida TaxWatch President, on the Latest Budget Surplus, April 12, 2006
• Community Colleges Key Player in Florida′s Workforce Needs, April 6, 2006
• Repealing Joint and Several Liability Will Likely Have Little Impact on Florida Taxpayers, March 20, 2006
• TaxWatch Urges End of ″by the Drink″ Tax Sixteen–Year Mistake Needs Correcting, March 20, 2006
• Florida Tourism Strong After Hurricanes and 9–11 Visitors Have a Growing Impact on Florida Jobs and Wages, March 20, 2006
• Accountabilty and Performance Measures in State Government Falling Short, March 16, 2006
• Floridians Tax Burden Growing, February 24, 2006
• Can Miami—Dade Schools Teach Florida a Lesson? District is Outperforming the State, February 16, 2006
• Statement From Dominic M. Calabro, President of Florida TaxWatch, Regarding HB 691, Creating a Sales Tax Holiday, January 11, 2006
• Statement by Dominic M. Calabro, Florida TaxWatch President, on the Auditor General's report on state/FEMA hurricane payments, January 27,2006
• Statement by Dominic M. Calabro, Florida TaxWatch President, on the Governor's Tax Relief Proposal, January 31, 2006
• Statement by Dominic M. Calabro, Florida TaxWatch President, on the Governor's Proposed Budget , February 1, 2006

• Termites in Florida′s Basement Have Good Intentions Gone Too Far in Immigration Policy, December 28, 2005
• How is Florida Doing? Citizens Commission Will Find Out, December 16, 2005
• Barney Barnett Honored by Governor and Cabinet in First Ever Surprise Ceremony, December 15, 2005
• How is Florida Doing? Citizens Commission Will Find Out, December 16, 2005
• Florida TaxWatch Joins The Grid on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2005
• ″FAIR″ Amendments are UN-FAIR Hidden Multi-Billion Dollar Tax Increase Will Hurt Florida Taxpayers, November 22, 2005
• Revenue Estimates Encouraging Caution Urged in State Government Spending, November 16, 2005
• Responsible Spending Urged at Florida TaxWatch Annual Meeting, November 11, 2005
• Property Tax "Windfalls" Really Just Tax Increases Statewide Tax Roll Grows to $1.25 Trillion, September 9, 2005
• Government Innovators Honored State Employees Recognized for Saving Money, June 1, 2005
• TaxWatch Statement on Governor's Budget Vetoes, May 26, 2005
• $250 Million Worth of "Turkeys" in State Budget, May 20, 2005
• Statement by TaxWatch on the State Budget, May 9, 2005
• Tax Freedom Delayed This Year Despite Tax Cuts, a Stronger Economy Means Increased Collections, April 26, 2005
• Class-Size Amendment and Growth Management could take State Debt Over the Cap, April 2005
• New Senior VP at Florida TaxWatch, April 8,2005
• Improvements Recommended for State Courts, March 2005.
• Texas Innovation Shows Promise in Florida Schools, March 2005.
• Repeal the Substitute Communications Tax March 7, 2005
• Florida TaxWatch's Comparative Evaluation of Project CHILD: Phase IV, March 2, 2005
• Link Between Spending and Student Achievement Elusive, February 16, 2005
• Statement by Dominic Calabro on the Proposed Sales Tax Exemption Ballot Initiatives, February 7, 2005
• TaxWatch hires Executive Director for Center for Educational Performance & Accountability, January 18, 2005
• TaxWatch hires Executive Director for Center for Competitive Florida, January 11, 2005

• Link between Spending and Student Achievement Elusive, February 18, 2005
• Florida Can Provide Qualified Teachers For Universal Pre-Kindergarten, December 10, 2004
• Length Of Day & Teacher Pupil Ratio Key To Quality Universal Pre-K, December 2, 2004
• Universal Pre-K Do It Right Or Pay More Later, November 23, 2004
• Florida′s Government Watchdog Reaches Quarter Century Mark Florida TaxWatch Has Been the Eyes and Ears of Taxpayers, November 16 2004
• Link to Governor and Cabinet Resolution Presented November 23, 2004 in Honor of 25th Anniversary of Florida TaxWatch, November 23 2004
• Link to 2004 Annual Report Which Includes a Brief History, November 16 2004
• Link to Timeline of Key Results, November 16 2004
• High Speed Rail Should Not Be In the Constitution: Repealing the High Speed Rail Requirement Will Ensure the Project Will Be Built Only If and When It Makes Sense, October 22, 2004
• A State Minimum Wage Is Misguided: Indexing to Inflation Makes a Bad Idea Worse, October 21, 2004
• Florida Taxpayers Get a Needed Break! Deducting State Sales Taxes on Federal Returns is a Return to Fairness, October 12, 2004
• Hurricane Victims Deserve Tax Relief, September 10, 2004
• How Florida Compares, July 30, 2004
• State Cost Savers Honored: State Employees Recognized for Saving Money, June 8, 2004
• Budget Flocked With More Than $200 Million in "Turkeys": Majority of Gobblers Added in the Last Hours' Conference Committee, May 26, 2004
• Closing the Student Achievement Gap: Substantial Gaps Exist Among Counties and Among Ethnic Groups, May 17, 2004
• TaxWatch Launches Major Education Study Emphasis on De-Bunking Myths about Student Achievement, May 17, 2004
• Florida Nursing Homes Seriously Underfunded, April 12, 2004
• TaxWatch Recommends Higher Level of State Courts Funding, February 25, 2004
• Tell All Guide Reveals Secrets On Saving Money In Florida's Government: "Best Practices" Could Save $305 million, January 16, 2004

• A Minority of Registered Voters is Approving a Majority of Florida's Constitutional Amendments, December 8, 2003
• Florida TaxWatch Announces New Officers, December 5, 2003
• Florida Tax Amnesty Brings in $160 Million So Far, November 25, 2003
• HUD Secretary Mel Martinez to Headline TaxWatch Annual Meeting, November 17, 2003
• Proposed Tax Reform Amendment Threatens Taxpayers, August 8, 2003
• Lawmakers Give Up Turkey in 2003-2004, June 10, 2003
• Credit Union Tax Exemptions Add Up To $102.2 Million, April 2003
• Students Can Learn in Larger Classes if Structured and Staffed Differently, April 2003
• Cost Savings Task Force Gives Budget Guidance, March 2003

• Call For Fair and Deliberative Tax Overhaul Debate, November 2002
• Removal of Amendment 5 from the November Ballot, September 2002
• Defeat of Amendment 5 Clears Path For Real Reform, September 2002
• Amendment 5 a "Dangerous Idea", September 2002
• A Bountiful Turkey Harvest, June 2002
• Tax Reform Battle Goes to the Courts, May 2002
• TaxWatch Seeks to Block Proposed Amendment, May 2002
• "Creative Budgeting" Abounds. May 2002
• Taxpayer Independence Day Arrives Early, May 2002
• Tax Relief Benefits Outweigh Costs, April 2002
• Examining The Impact Of 9/11, March 2002
• TaxWatch Reports: How Florida Compares, February 2002

• A Record Flock of Turkeys This Year, June 2001
• Estate Tax Changes Strike Blow to Florida Budget, May 2001
• Accelerated Estate Tax Changes Pose Threat, May 2001
• Taxing Days of 2001 at an End, May 2001
• TaxWatch Studies Retirement Options, April 2001
• Dueling for Dollars, March 2001
• "Revenue Neutral," Just an Illusion?, February 2001
• TaxWatch To Take On Tax Reform Debate, February 2001
• TaxWatch To Put Budget To The Test, January 2001

• Taxwatch Recommends New Year's Resolutions Guidelines To Cut The Fat, Not The Muscle, December 2000
• Awards Program Answers Govenor's Challenge With $270 Million In Savings, March 2000

• A Christmas Present Of Over $270 Million In Savings, December 1999
• State Budget Sets Records, April 1999