Research

Every year, Florida TaxWatch produces numerous independent, objective and sound public policy research publications in a variety of formats--in-depth Research Reports, concise Briefings and updates, budget-related Budget Watch, Special Reports, Economic Commentaries on Florida′s economy, and our public forum/opinion opportunity, Ideas in Action--all designed to keep Florida TaxWatch members informed.

What's Hot In Research

• Enhancing Efficiencies in the City of Jacksonville, August 2008
• Mid-Year Economic Update for the Florida Economy, July 2008
• Uncertainty Makes Amendment 5 a Bad Bet for Florida The ″tax swap″ will likely be a tax increase, July 2008
• Improving Transparency and Accountability in Escambia County Government, June 2008
• Notable Practices of Florida Counties, Cities, and Schools, June 2008
• The 2008 Florida TaxWatch Turkey Watch Report, May 2008
• Budget Turkeys Spreadsheet Sorted by Number, May 2008
• Budget Turkeys Spreadsheet Sorted by County, May 2008
• Business Taxation in Florida: Still a Threat to Florida's Competitiveness, May 2008
• Economic Challenges Facing Florida′s Economy and the Benefits of Economic Stimulus, April 2008
• Florida Taxpayer Independence Day 2008, April 2008
• Transportation Infrastructure Investment Will Stimulate Florida's Sluggish Economy and Increase Productivity, April 2008
• The Florida Boys & Girls Clubs: A Comparative Analysis of Student Performance, April 2008
• Searching for a Bottom, April 2008
• Clarifying the Constitutional Role of the Clerk of the Circuit Court As County Auditor Will Help Improve Local Government Accountability for Florida Taxpayers, April 2008
• The 2009 Budget Crunch: Making Good Decisions in Bad Financial Times, April 2008
• Charging Indigent Floridians Civil Court Filing Fees Raises Questions of Cost Efficiency and Equal Access to the Florida Court System, March 2008
• Analysis of the Constitutional Property Tax Proposals of the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, March 2008
• Florida's Labor Market Flexibility: A Good Sign in Difficult Times, February 2008
• The Governor's Budget Recommendations for FY 2008-09 Proposal Uses $1.1 Billion in Trust Fund Transfers to Balance the $70 Billion Budget, January 2008
• Complete and Accurate Costing of Residential and Detention Juvenile Justice Programs Is Needed to Properly Evaluate State- and Privately Operated Facilities, January 2008
• Fiscal Stimulus: A Recession Antidote?, January 2008
• Amendment 1 on Property Taxes is Not True Reform and is Likely to Do More Harm than Good, January 2008

For your convenience, the latest in research at Florida TaxWatch is made available to you in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. Please follow the link if you need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader free of charge.

2007 Research

• The 2008 Florida Economic Outlook, December 2007
• 2007 Annual Report, November 2007
• A Free Cuba and the Florida Economy, November 2007
• Taxation and Budget Reform Commission Unanimously Votes to Fully Participate in the Streamlined Sales Tax Project , November 2007
• Final Report: A Comprehensive Assessment of Florida Virtual School, November 2007
• Metropolitan GDP : A New Measure of Local Economic Activity, October 2007
• Building Citizens: A Simple Test Could Promote Knowledge and Service, October 2007
• Florida TaxWatch Guiding Principles and Specific Recommendations for Property Tax Reform, October 2007
• New Legislative Property Tax Proposal Is a Step Backward From the Last One, October 2007
• Florida Government Has Unprecedented Opportunities to Increase Accountability and Achieve Cost Savings, September 2007
• Florida TaxWatch Suggestions For Improved Government Performance, September 2007
• Productivity Improvements Can Help Florida′s Local Governments Save Millions and Minimize Cuts in Services, September 2007
• Global Financial Fragility and the Florida Economy, September 2007
• Review of Approval Processes in Hillsborough County for Construction Projects Affecting Wetlands, August 2007
• Special District Budget or Sneaky Budget – Which Do You Want?, August 2007
• Ensuring that Retirement Plan Fees for Florida’s Government Employees are Appropriate, Accountable and Competitive, August 2007
• Mid-Year Update on the Florida Economy, July 2007
• Property Tax Reform: Beware of Unintended Consequences, July 2007
• On Indian Casino Compacts, July 2007
• Florida′s Tipping Point: Balancing Physical & Economic Security Post 9-11, June 2007
• 2007 Prudential Financial - Davis Productivity Awards Magazine, June 2007
• 2007 Prudential Financial - Davis Productivity Adaptables Magazine, June 2007
• The Florida TaxWatch 2007/2008 Budget Turkeys Report, May 2007
• Budget Turkeys Spreadsheet Sorted by Number, May 2007
• Budget Turkeys Spreadsheet Sorted by County, May 2007
• Business Taxation in Florida: A Growing Threat to Our Competitiveness, May 2007
• Model Predicts Florida Economy Will Gain By Property Tax Cut Without Changing Sales Tax, May 2007
• Florida Taxpayer Independence Day 2007! Floridians′ Income Should Keep Pace With Taxes, April 2007
• Legislature Should Provide a Meaningful Reduction in the State Communications Services Tax, April 2007
• Mixed Benefits from Proposed Property Tax/Sales Tax Swap, April 2007
• How Can Florida Meet the Demand for Highly Qualified Pre-Kindergarten Teachers?, April 2007
• Florida Must Become a Full Member of the Streamlined Sales Tax Project, April 2007
• Economic Commentary, North and South, March 2007
• Accountable & Cost-Effective Procurement Is Critical To Successfully Outsourcing Public Services, March 2007
• The Property Tax Crisis: Legislature Should Focus on Providing Immediate Relief to All Taxpayers, March 2007
• Process to Amend Local Government Charters Should Be Amended to Ensure Accountability, Integrity, and Transparency, March 2007
• Proposed Title Insurance Premium Taxation Legislation Would Address Inequity of Taxing Insurers on Premiums They Don′t Receive, March 2007
• Evaluating Proviso in the State Budget Is the Florida Legislature Complying with the Constitution?, March 2007
• Florida Needs a Better Method to Estimate Tourism′s Economic Impact, March 2007
• Major Tax Issues Facing Florida′s Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, February 2007
• Budget Watch: Governor Crist′s Proposed State Budget for FY 2007-08, February 2007
• Economic Commentary, The Florida Economy in 2007, January 2007
• Who′s Watching Florida′s Special Districts?, January 2007

Reports posted online are free of charge. We've made the past several years' research available electronically for your convenience.  A fee of $5 each for copies of most reports (for postage and handling) is requested for archived reports (click link below). Please send a check for $5 per report made payable to Florida TaxWatch to P.O. Box 10209, Tallahassee, FL 32302. Please specify which reports you wish to receive. Some reports may no longer be available and your fee will be refunded in those cases. Please allow 2 to 4 weeks for delivery. Thank you.