Florida Taxwatch is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer

research institute A research institute, research centre, research center or research organization, is an establishment founded for doing research. Research institutes may specialize in basic research or may be oriented to applied research. Although the term often i ...

located in

Tallahassee, Florida Tallahassee ( ) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat and only incorporated municipality in Leon County, Florida, Leon County. Tallahassee became the capital of Florida, then the Florida Territory, in 1824. In ...

. Founded in 1979 as the Citizens Council for Budget Research, Florida TaxWatch conducts research that aims to improve government efficiency and accountability. Florida TaxWatch is a

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tax-exempt Tax exemption is the reduction or removal of a liability to make a compulsory payment that would otherwise be imposed by a ruling power upon persons, property, income, or transactions. Tax-exempt status may provide complete relief from taxes, redu ...

non-profit A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

educational and research organization. Since 1982, the organization has been led by President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro. Florida TaxWatch has six Centers of Excellence, each with their own legislative and policy priorities. The six Centers include the Center for Health and Aging, the Center for Educational Performance and Accountability, the Center for Government Efficiency, the Center for Florida Citizenship, the Center for Smart Justice, and the Center for Competitive Florida. The group is best known for its annual ''Budget Turkey'' report.

History

In 1977, incoming Florida Senate President Phil Lewis approached Mark Hollis, then Vice President of Publix Super Markets, about the business community coming to the Florida Legislature to seek increases in consumer taxes rather than finding ways to hold the line on spending. Following this discussion, the two decided that a state government watchdog was needed. An organizational meeting convened in Tampa two years later resulted in the formation of the Citizens Council for Budget Research, which five years later was renamed Florida TaxWatch. The founders were Winn-Dixie Chairman J.E. Davis, T. Wayne Davis, Publix Super Markets founder George Jenkins and President Mark Hollis, and Florida State Senator Phil Lewis and Florida State Senator Ken Plante. Florida TaxWatch is currently located in the former St. James Christian Methodist Episcopal church. Built in 1899, the church was constructed on land purchased by black members of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church and was, at one point, the oldest African-American church in Tallahassee.

Activities

Publications

Florida TaxWatch publishes various research reports, briefings, and periodicals. Notable publications include its annual ''Budget Turkey'' report, a monthly ''Economic Commentary'', and a monthly ''Budget Watch''.

Events

Florida TaxWatch holds various events throughout the year including: * The Prudential Productivity Awards, which celebrates innovative state employees who increase productivity and accountability within state government agencies. * The Principal Leadership Awards, which honors Florida principals at at-risk schools that have made significant learning gains. * Annual Board Meetings in Spring and Fall * The State of the Taxpayer Dinner, which is an annual dinner event at the beginning of the Florida Legislative Session. * Telehealth Cornerstone Conference, which seeks to educate business and community leaders about the advantages of expanding telehealth in the state of Florida.

Officers of the Florida TaxWatch Board of Trustees

As of December 2016: * David Mann, Chairman of Florida TaxWatch, CEO - North Florida,

SunTrust Banks SunTrust Banks, Inc. was an American bank holding company with SunTrust Bank as its largest subsidiary and assets of US$199 billion as of March 31, 2018. The bank's most direct corporate parent was established in 1891 in Atlanta, where it was h ...

* Dominic M. Calabro, President and CEO of Florida TaxWatch * Senator Pat Neal, Chairman-Elect of Florida TaxWatch, former Florida State Senator, CEO, Neal Communities * Senator

George LeMieux George Stephen LeMieux ( ; born May 21, 1969) is an American former politician who was a United States Senator from Florida from 2009 to 2011. He is chairman of the Florida-based law firm of Gunster Yoakley & Stewart and was chief of staff to Go ...

, Treasurer of Florida TaxWatch, former

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

Senator, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Shareholder, Gunster Law Firm * Piyush Patel, Secretary of Florida TaxWatch, Founder and CEO of Kyra Solutions, Inc. * Michelle A. Robinson, Immediate Past Chairman of Florida TaxWatch, President - Southeast Region,

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Controversies

Despite claims of non-partisanship, Florida TaxWatch policy positions have been described in the media as consistent with conservative fiscal policy. As a business-backed policy group, some of the watchdog groups' proposals have generated controversy, including selling advertisements on state government-owned road signs, eliminating the traditional pension plan and deferred retirement options for public employees, and increasing requirements for state-backed scholarship programs to reduce eligibility.

Notes

External links

* {{Official website Organizations based in Tallahassee, Florida