2018 Legislative Wrap Up
Budget & Appropriations, Budget Turkeys, Cost Savings, E-Fairness, Local Government, Research, Taxpayer GuideFind out all about what happened this Session with the TaxWatch Legislative Wrap Up.
Comparing the 2018 House and Senate Tax Packages
Budget & Appropriations, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideThe House unveiled its 2018 tax cut package (HB 7087) almost a month ago, while the Senate’s did not appear until week 8 of the session when it was amended onto SB 620 in the Appropriations Committee. The bills have a lot of similarities, but there are big differences that will have to be negotiated before a final tax cut package is approved.
Increasing the Independence and Effectiveness of the Florida Taxpayers’ Rights Advocate
Budget & Appropriations, Research, TaxesThe 2018 Legislature has an opportunity to strengthen and increase the independence of an important taxpayer safeguard—the Florida Taxpayers’ Rights Advocate. Senate Bill 826 and House Bill 1345 would make the needed changes to the law.
Budget Watch – More Revenue for the Next Budget
Budget & Appropriations, Budget Turkeys, Cost Savings, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideAs the Florida Legislature prepares to go into conference budget negotiations to finalize the FY2018-19 budget, state estimators gave lawmakers a bit of good news. Florida’s General Revenue (GR) Estimating Conference met on February 9 and forecast that the state would collect an additional $461.8 million in FY2017-18 and FY2018-19.
2018 How Florida Counties Compare
Budget & Appropriations, Local Government, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideThis publication compares the revenue and expenditure profiles of Florida’s 67 counties to give taxpayers an overview of how their local government stacks up with the rest of the state. The report presents the most recently available data regarding: property taxes, other taxes and fees, county and municipal revenues, county and municipal expenditures, and other related measures.
Budget Watch – Proposed Budgets Close in Amount, but Big Differences Remain
Budget & Appropriations, ResearchThe budget’s bottom lines are relatively close, with the Senate’s $87.3 billion plan coming in at only $100 million more than the House. While the totals are similar, some big differences exist, particularly in education and environmental funding.
Budget Watch – Governor’s FY2018-19 Recommended Budget
Budget & Appropriations, Research, Taxpayer GuideGovernor Rick Scott recently released his eighth and final budget recommendation. This report details the proposal by budget area.
Requiring a Supermajority to Raise Taxes or Fees Can Protect Taxpayers
Budget & Appropriations, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer Guide, Voter GuidesHaving led in the enactment of Florida’s current consitutional state revenue limitation, Florida TaxWatch has been recommending a simpler and higher standard to pass tax increases since 1995.
Budget Watch – Budget Surplus Threatened by Irma Impacts
Budget & Appropriations, Cost Savings, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideThe new Outlook forecasts that after funding a continuation budget, there will be $52.0 million in General Revenue (GR) left over, until the financial impacts of Hurricane Irma are considered.
Budget Watch – More GR Available for Next Budget Thanks to Seminole Gaming Settlement
Budget & Appropriations, ResearchEstimating Conference says that revenue from the gaming agreement that was reached in July between the state and the Seminole Tribe will more than offset a projected revenue loss for the state.
2017-18 Taxpayers Budget Pocket Guide
Budget & Appropriations, Local Government, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideFlorida TaxWatch is pleased to present taxpayers with a guide to the FY2017-18 state budget, which went into effect July 1, 2017. After deducting the Governor’s vetoes, the net result is FY2017-18 appropriations totaling $85.158 billion, a $2.9 billion (3.5%) increase over FY2016-17.
Budget Watch – FY2017-18 GAA Only Tells Part of Florida’s Budget Story
Budget & Appropriations, Cost Savings, Local Government, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideThe 2017 Florida Legislature passed a $82.418 billion General Appropriations Act (GAA), already the largest in the state’s history. But this is not all the money appropriated this year.
2017 Session Wrap-Up
Budget & Appropriations, Budget Turkeys, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideThe 2017 Legislature passed only 249 bills, the second lowest number in at least the last 15 years. This wrap-up details the issues TaxWatch followed this year.
2017 Final Tax Package Analysis
Budget & Appropriations, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideThis Session Spotlight is a look at the provisions in HB 7109, comparing the Senate amendment to the original House bill, and an examination of other bills and proposed constitutional amend- ments dealing with property taxes that have passed or are expected to pass and that could also reduce the taxes Floridians pay.
Budget Watch – Proposed Budgets for FY2017-18 Far Apart
Budget & Appropriations, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideAs we enter the penultimate week of the 2017 Legislative Session, the next state budget is still very much up in the air. The House and Senate spending plans are effectively $4 billion apart.
The Outlook for Tax Relief from the 2017 Legislature
Budget & Appropriations, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideThis report is a look at the provisions in HB 7109, along with the Senate bills that contain one of these provisions and that have cleared at least one committee. Following this analysis is an examination of several bills and proposed constitutional amendments dealing with property taxes that could also impact the taxes Floridians pay.
Budget Watch – Final GR Estimates Set Stage for Tough Budget
Budget & Appropriations, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideThe General Revenue (GR) Estimating Conference met recently to determine how much money will be available to the 2017 Legislature for the new state budget.
The Show May Not Go On: An analysis of the cost of severe cuts to Florida’s tourism marketing
Budget & Appropriations, Economic Development, Research, Taxpayer Guide, TourismFlorida tourism is an absolutely critical industry to the state, employing millions of people and contributing millions of dollars to state coffers. Despite its importance to the Sunshine State, tourism is in the crosshairs of the Florida House, a costly decision according to this report.
Finding the True Cost of Public Education
Budget & Appropriations, Education, Local Government, Research, Taxpayer GuidePer-student spending is an easy-to-use measure by which taxpayers can evaluate public school spending and efficiency. This report finds a more accurate number for taxpayers to use.
Budget Watch – Analyzing the Governor’s FY2018 Budget Recommendations
Budget & Appropriations, Budget Turkeys, Research, TaxesGovernor Rick Scott recently released his $83.474 billion proposed budget, which will be considered by the Legislature as it crafts the state’s new spending plan.
