A Closer Look At The Deferred Retirement Option Program
Research, RetirementDear Fellow Taxpayer Many of Florida’s longest-serving public employees take part in a program that lets them formally retire “on paper” while continuing to work […]
Hospice and Palliative Care
Budget & Appropriations, Cost Savings, Economic Development, Health Care, Research, Retirement, Workforce DevelopmentFlorida’s aging population is driving sustained demand for cost-effective, patient-centered care across the continuum. Palliative care—non-curative, interdisciplinary support for patients with serious but often nonterminal conditions—improves quality of life and can lower overall costs when introduced early in the disease course. Hospice provides end-of-life care once a clinician certifies a terminal prognosis; in Florida, hospice providers operate under a Certificate of Need (CON) program that authorizes new entrants only when unmet need is demonstrated through twice-yearly batching cycles.
2024 Florida Legislative Session Wrap-Up
Budget & Appropriations, Corrections/Judicial, Economic Development, Education, Energy & Environment, Health Care, Research, Retirement, Taxpayer Guide, Tourism, TransportationThe 2024 Florida Legislative Session Wrap-Up offers a concise yet thorough review of the session’s key outcomes. With a $117.5 billion budget, over $1 billion in tax relief, and nearly $10 billion in reserves, the Legislature addressed crucial issues in healthcare, education, insurance, and the environment. The report provides an insightful overview of the bills and budget items that passed, as well as notable legislation that failed to advance, making it an essential resource for understanding the current state of Florida policy and its implications for residents and taxpayers.
2022 Florida Legislative Session Wrap-Up
Budget & Appropriations, Corrections/Judicial, Economic Development, Education, Energy & Environment, Health Care, Research, Retirement, Taxpayer Guide, Tourism, TransportationThe 2022 legislative session is over, even if it ran a little long. Florida TaxWatch and the state’s taxpayers had a number of successes. Many bills and budget issues supported by our research and recommendations passed. Our research and input that raised concerns with legislation, helped to improve them or fail passage, including changes to the tax audit system and a very costly approach to improving data privacy
A Rising Tide Sinks All Homes – The Effects of Climate Change on Florida’s Economy
Economic Development, Education, Energy & Environment, Health Care, Hurricanes, Insurance, Research, Retirement, Taxes, Tourism, TransportationWith more than 8,400 miles of coastline and a flat, low-lying coastal topography, Florida is especially vulnerable to the effects of sea level rise. Tens of thousands of Florida homes and businesses are at increased risk from sea level rise. Much of Florida’s critical infrastructure is at low elevations, designed and built with little consideration of future sea level rise. The physical effect of changing climate translates into real economic impacts.
Palliative Care in Florida: Challenges and Options for Florida’s Future
Health Care, Research, RetirementThis report, part of a series of TaxWatch research reports on long-term care, focuses on the benefits of palliative care and opportunities to increase use of these services in Florida. From our research, it is clear that community-based palliative care warrants special attention as a distinct and promising healthcare service.
Budget Watch – 2016-17 Legislative Budget Requests
Budget & Appropriations, Corrections/Judicial, Education, Energy & Environment, Health Care, Research, Retirement, TransportationFlorida’s state government agencies have requested $77.835 billion in funding from the Legislature for FY2016-17, which is $1.2 billion (1.6 percent) more than these agencies are expected to spend in the current year. The total request is made up of $29.481 billion in general revenue (GR) and $48.354 billion in trust funds. The GR request is an increase of $854.5 million (3.0 percent). The latest revenue estimates forecast $31.653 billion in GR will be available for FY2016-17 meaning that the agency requests would leave GR reserves of $2 billion.
Budget Watch – House and Senate Proposed Budgets
Budget & Appropriations, Corrections/Judicial, Education, Energy & Environment, Health Care, Local Government, Research, Retirement, Taxpayer GuideA more than $4 billion dollar difference between the House and Senate budget proposals is detailed in this annual analysis of the initial budgets, which shows that the largest point of contention between the chambers is in funding the health and human services portion of the budget.
Annual Government Efficiency Recommendations – 2015
Budget & Appropriations, Cost Savings, Local Government, Research, Retirement, Taxes, Taxpayer GuideThe Center for Government Efficiency defines government efficiency as the intersection of cost avoidance, targeted investments and effective governance, three characteristics that define the recommendations
Budget Watch – Governor’s Proposed Budget – FY2014-15
Budget & Appropriations, Corrections/Judicial, Cost Savings, Economic Development, Education, Energy & Environment, Health Care, Insurance, Local Government, Research, Retirement, Taxes, TransportationHighlights from Governor Rick Scott’s proposed budget plan for FY 2014-15 are featured in this Budget Watch Report. The $74.20 billion spending plan is slightly
Modern Management & Sensible Savings
Budget & Appropriations, Corrections/Judicial, Cost Savings, Economic Development, Energy & Environment, Insurance, Local Government, Research, Retirement, Taxes, TransportationThis Report, from the TaxWatch Center for Government Efficiency, highlights more than $1 billion in savings for Florida taxpayers, without reducing state-provided services. The six
Modernizing the FRS: Switching to a Defined Contribution Plan
Budget & Appropriations, Research, Retirement, TaxesDue primarily to its substantial and unpredictable long-term costs, the Florida TaxWatch Government Cost Saving Task Force has made recommendations to reform the current Florida
Land Use Planning by Referendum: The Economic Consequences of Amendment 4
Research, RetirementJobs and tax revenues would be affected by the passage of amendment 4. Numerous other unintended consequences are analyzed in this report.
Establishing a Retirement Visa Would Help Revive Florida’s Vital Real Estate Industry
Research, Retirement“Given the slumping real estate market, this special report proposes the creation of a retirement visa, which would allow foreign retirees to spend their later
Ensuring that Retirement Plan Fees for Florida’s Government Employees are Appropriate- Accountable and Competitive
Research, RetirementThis Florida TaxWatch publication, Ensuring that Retirement Plan Fees for Florida’s Government Employees are Appropriate- Accountable and Competitive, is available for download via the document
Using Multiple Bundled Providers Adds Competition and Needed Choice to Florida’s New Optional Retirement Program
Research, RetirementThis Florida TaxWatch publication, Using Multiple Bundled Providers Adds Competition and Needed Choice to Florida’s New Optional Retirement Program, is available for download via the
Florida’s New Retirement Program Should Offer More- Not Fewer- Informed Choices for Employees
Research, RetirementThis Florida TaxWatch publication, Florida’s New Retirement Program Should Offer More- Not Fewer- Informed Choices for Employees, is available for download via the document link
Five Wishes America Program Evaluation
Archive/Pre-2000, Health Care, Research, RetirementThis Florida TaxWatch publication, Five Wishes America Program Evaluation, is available for download via the document link attached to this post.
Optional Retirement Plan is Essential First Step
Archive/Pre-2000, Research, RetirementThis Florida TaxWatch publication, Optional Retirement Plan is Essential First Step, is available for download via the document link attached to this post.
Retirement Provision for Elected Officials Should be Reformed
Archive/Pre-2000, Research, RetirementThis Florida TaxWatch publication, Retirement Provision for Elected Officials Should be Reformed, is available for download via the document link attached to this post.
