2017 Economic Preview
ResearchAs we close the door on a strong 2016 for Florida’s economy, it is time to look at what could lie ahead for the state in 2017.
Ideas in Action – Aligning Actions with Goals
Guest Columns, ResearchLeading a corrections department and prisons is challenging. A successful leader mustwork with government entities, employees, unions, and their accompanying agendas, all while simultaneously dealing with individuals that our society cannot tolerate. An effective corrections leader must balance what is good for inmates and staff with what is good for our shared society.
Budget Watch – Revenue Estimates Increased Slightly, Shortfall Looms
Budget & Appropriations, Research, Taxpayer GuideLawmakers received a small measure of positive fiscal news from state economists this week. The General Revenue (GR) Estimating Conference met on December 12, 2016 and increased its revenue forecast by $119.3 million in the current year (FY2016-17) and by $22.6 million for the next budget year (FY2017-18).
Q1 2017 Broward Schools SMART Program Report Review
Broward Schools Bond Oversight (SMART Program), Local Government, ResearchPresented to the Bond Oversight Committee on November 14, 2016, this report examines the SMART program quarterly report for Q1 of FY2017.
Budget Watch – The Zika Virus Will Place Additional Strain on the Next State Budget
Budget & Appropriations, Energy & Environment, Research, TourismIn addition to the serious public health risk for Floridians, the Zika virus is also creating risk for the already tight state budget outlook for next year.
Bees, Please Don’t Buzz Off
Economic Development, ResearchHoney bees enable the production of more than 90 commercially grown crops here in the United States. Around the world, more than one-third of food production relies on pollination, which is important to understand because, over the past 60 years, the number of honey bee colonies in the United States has decreased steadily.
Ideas in Action – Strategic Planning for State Agencies
Guest Columns, ResearchEvery year, Florida public agencies are required to develop so-called strategic plans. But instead of being strategic and linking to adding measurable value to Floridians, these efforts shift to the planning of tactics and assume that existing agency goals are useful or even correct. And each year we are often disappointed with what our agencies deliver to our citizens. This disappointment comes from agencies not asking and answering the right questions.
2016 Voter Guide – November Edition
Research, Taxpayer Guide, Voter GuidesThis edition of the 2016 Voter Guide details the four amendments on the November 8 ballot. We have provided a notes sheet on page 30 of this Guide, where you can jot down anything you want to remember about the amendments, and take it with you to the polls.
Budget Watch – Projected Shortfall Requires Action
Budget & Appropriations, Cost Savings, Research, Taxpayer GuideThe 2017 Legislature will be facing a very tight budget year. After a string of three straight years with projected budget surpluses ranging from $336 million to $846 million, it is now estimated that during the next legislative session there will be just enough money to fund a continuation budget for FY2017-18. What’s more, significant budget shortfalls loom in subsequent years.
Florida is Still a Donor State
Budget & Appropriations, Local Government, ResearchOver the years, Florida TaxWatch has produced several reports examining how Florida fares, relative to other states, in receiving grants and aid from the federal government. Consistent with our past research, this new analysis shows Florida continues to receive far less than its fair share of federal grant dollars.
Discretion on the Bench
Corrections/Judicial, Cost Savings, ResearchThis report recommends the implementation of a “Judicial Safety Valve” that would give judges the discretion to deviate from mandatory minimums for low-level offenders, but maintain the rights of victims, offenders, their attorneys, and the state to have input on sentencing decisions at sentencing hearings.
Analysis of Pending CDMP Application by International Atlantic, LLC
Economic Development, ResearchFlorida TaxWatch has studied the applications submitted to the County by International Atlantic, LLC, and this report details the findings of that review.
Pay for Performance Contracting
Economic Development, ResearchState contracts typically referred to as either performance-based contracting or pay for performance (PFP) are specially formulated so that contracted entities are paid for the outcomes or results of their work, and not just the services that are provided.
Q4 2016 Broward Schools SMART Program Report Review
Broward Schools Bond Oversight (SMART Program), Local Government, ResearchPresented to the Bond Oversight Committee on August 29, 2016, this report examines the SMART program quarterly report for Q4.
Juvenile Pre-Arrest Diversion
Corrections/Judicial, ResearchThis briefing explores Juvenile Pre-Arrest Diversion programs, which re-route certain juvenile offenders in ways that hold them accountable while sparing them from an arrest record and lessening the burden on taxpayers.
Budget Watch – Budget Outlook for FY2017-18 Getting Tighter
Budget & Appropriations, ResearchJust as they did at their last conference in January, Florida’s revenue estimators reduced the state’s General Revenue (GR) projections. The GR Estimating Conference met on August 15, 2016 and reduced expected collections by $131.9 million in the current year (FY2016-17) and by $131.1 million for the next budget year (FY2017-18).
2016 Voter Guide – August
Research, Taxpayer Guide, Voter GuidesOn August 30 and November 8, 2016, Floridians will vote on a total of five proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution. This Florida TaxWatch Voter Guide is designed to provide voters with information about each of the amendments to help them cast well-informed votes.
2016 How Florida Counties Compare
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.
Budget Watch – Growing Federal Debt Puts the Nation at Risk
Budget & Appropriations, Research, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideIn dollars, America’s debt is forecast to reach an astonishing $87.9 trillion in 30 years. This is more than $200,000 for each of the 400 million men, women, and children expected to live in the United States in 2046. This Budget Watch looks at the long-term implications of such a debt.
Florida’s 2016 Mid-Year Job Growth
Economic Development, Research, Taxpayer GuideThis Economic Commentary looks at Florida’s mid-year job growth figures, showing that the state has added approximately 244,500 non-farm jobs over the past year.
