Press Releases

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) announced the winners of the 2022 Florida TaxWatch Productivity Awards (TPA) program, which, for over three decades, has recognized and rewarded the hard work and dedication of state employees who have taken the initiative to improve services and increase efficiencies, while also serving as good stewards of their fellow Floridians’ hard-earned tax dollars. This year, after receiving hundreds of nominations, FTW will present approximately 148 awards to thousands of individual employees and large teams from 17 state agencies and four universities across Florida. In total, their efforts will save taxpayers over $818 million, contributing to an estimated $12 billion in total savings since the program was established.

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Verizon today announces a $250,000 donation to support small businesses affected by Hurricane Ian. Verizon is partnering with Collaboratory, a local non-profit community-problem solving organization in Southwest Florida, and Florida TaxWatch, a trusted non-profit organization that serves as the ‘eyes and ears’ of Florida taxpayers and promotes economic development across the state, to create $10,000 grants to provide small businesses in the hardest-hit areas of Florida with critical relief.

Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro, said, “Our thoughts are with the first responders, volunteers, elected officials, and Florida families whose lives will never be the same due to the impacts of Hurricane Ian. As our state continues its rescue and recovery efforts in the many weeks and months ahead, we must remember to also look toward tomorrow.

“This year, people all across the country encountered record high costs at the gas pump, but fortunately for Floridians, they will receive some much-needed relief throughout the month of October with the new Motor Fuel Tax Relief holiday. Florida TaxWatch thanks Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for implementing this reduction, which is made possible by the state’s unprecedented level of reserves, as these unallocated dollars will fund investments that are usually subsidized by the gas tax.”  Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The following statement is to be attributed to Dominic M. Calabro, President and CEO of Florida TaxWatch, in response to Governor DeSantis’ announcement of his Family-Focused Tax Relief proposal for the 2023 Legislative Session.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On Thurs., Sept. 22 at 11 a.m. (EST), Florida TaxWatch (FTW) will hold an in-person and virtual press conference announcing the winners of the 2022 Florida TaxWatch Productivity Award (TPA) program, which is co-sponsored by the state of Florida and the Florida Council of 100, and presented by Kyra Solutions, Inc. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody will also accept the TPA “Agency of the Year” award and offer remarks at the presentation.

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch released its review of the Broward County School District’s Safety, Music & Art, Athletics, Renovations and Technology (SMART) Program in its report Monitoring and Oversight of General Obligation Bonds to Improve Broward County Schools: SMART Program Quarterly Report Review for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2022.   

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch released its review of the Broward County School District’s Safety, Music & Art, Athletics, Renovations and Technology (SMART) Program in its report Monitoring and Oversight of General Obligation Bonds to Improve Broward County Schools: SMART Program Quarterly Report Review for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2022.   

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released the 2022 Florida TaxWatch Voter Guide to Florida’s Constitutional Amendments. In the guide, the taxpayer research institute and government watchdog provides an independent analysis and voting recommendation for the three proposed constitutional amendments that have been placed on the 2022 general election ballot by joint resolutions of the Florida Legislature. 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch released Building a Culture of Success: What Effective Principals Do – The 2022 Florida TaxWatch Principal Leadership Awards Roundtable Discussion Summary and Findings. The report provides a comprehensive summary of a May 2022 roundtable discussion with 10 distinguished principals who were recognized through the government watchdog’s 2021-22 Principal Leadership Awards, an annual program that identifies and rewards educational leaders who are creating meaningful change in their K-12 schools across the state. During the conversation, the principals offered their thoughts on the philosophies, strategies, and leadership required to bolster the achievement of at-risk students.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch released Building a Culture of Success: What Effective Principals Do – The 2022 Florida TaxWatch Principal Leadership Awards Roundtable Discussion Summary and Findings. The report provides a comprehensive summary of a May 2022 roundtable discussion with 10 distinguished principals who were recognized through the government watchdog’s 2021-22 Principal Leadership Awards, an annual program that identifies and rewards educational leaders who are creating meaningful change in their K-12 schools across the state. During the conversation, the principals offered their thoughts on the philosophies, strategies, and leadership required to bolster the achievement of at-risk students.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The statement below, to be attributed to Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro, pertains to the Tool Time sales tax holiday beginning Saturday, September 3 and ending Friday, September 9, 2022. To learn more and/or schedule an interview with President and CEO Calabro, please contact Aly Coleman at aly@on3pr.com or 850.391.5040.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released Florida Workforce Update, a commentary on the shifts in Florida’s workforce since the COVID-19 pandemic. It outlines the status of remote work, women in the labor force, and the “Great Resignation,” a term coined in May 2021 to describe unusually high quit rates, or the number of employees leaving a job by their own volition as a percentage of total employment. Quit rates typically have an inverse relationship with unemployment levels, as these employees are not leaving the workforce, but rather transitioning from one job to another, often a better job.

Tallahassee, Fla. – The following statement is to be attributed to Dominic M. Calabro, President, and CEO of Florida TaxWatch, in response to the findings from the General Revenue Estimating Conference (GREC) held yesterday, Tues., Aug. 16, 2022.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released Are Floridians Ready to Go Back to School? Not Without More Teachers… The report presents an analysis of Florida’s pervasive teacher shortage, outlining potential causes, from compensation to mental health, and the significant ramifications for schools and students. It also summarizes action taken at both the state and local level to combat this crisis and bolster the teacher workforce. 

The statement below, to be attributed to Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro, pertains to the Back-to-School sales tax holiday beginning Monday, July 25 and ending Sunday, August 7, 2022. To learn more and/or schedule an interview with President and CEO Calabro, please contact Aly Coleman at aly@on3pr.com or 850.391.5040. 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released Looking Back at Census 2020: What Florida’s Business and Community Leaders Need to Know. 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The statement below, to be attributed to Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro, pertains to the four sales tax holidays beginning Friday, July 1, 2022 – Freedom Week, Energy Star Appliances, Diapers and Baby Clothes, and Home Hardening. To learn more and/or schedule an interview with President and CEO Calabro, please contact Aly Coleman at aly@on3pr.com or 850.391.5040.