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State lawmakers applaud Florida TaxWatch during annual State of Taxpayer dinner

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State lawmakers applauded Florida TaxWatch this week, hailing the organization for its role in the legislative process. “The folks that formed Florida TaxWatch had a good focus in mind,” said Sen. Jack Latvala. “And as a result of Florida TaxWatch’s efforts, we’ve turned things around.” The taxpayer advocacy group hosted its State of the Taxpayer dinner Wednesday. The annual event is meant to highlight issues affecting the average taxpayer, and features speeches from Latvala, Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, Attorney General…

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Economic development incentives drive jobs to Florida, boost state economy

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

Shaping up to be one of the biggest battles in the Legislature in many years, the fight on economic development incentives and tourism funding has been swirling throughout the halls of the Capitol the last few weeks. On one side are those who believe that taxpayer dollars should not be used to entice businesses and tourists to Florida; the other side sees these programs as crucial for creating jobs and boosting our economy. Having watched and safeguarded taxpayer dollars being…

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TaxWatch Christmas gift: 15 ways to save Florida taxpayers money

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Florida TaxWatch chief Dominic Calabro conceded Thursday that legislators might balk at spending money next year to improve government efficiency, but pointed to 15 innovations that wouldn’t cost taxpayers a dime. They include prison reforms and requiring the governor and Legislature to pass specific legislation every year directing agency chiefs to find ways to operate more efficiently. “Revenue projections going into the 2017 legislative session suggest there will be just enough money to fund a continuation budget. A lot of it…

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The Shame of Florida: Options on the felon vote

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

(Part two of two) In the first part of this article, I focused on the origins of the felon vote in Florida and the consequences it creates for both those convicted of a felony and on the Florida taxpayers. This part will focus on the various options concerning the felon vote. We know that over a quarter of all voters who have lost the franchise due to a felony conviction reside in Florida. We know that over 10 percent of…

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The Shame of Florida: How Florida’s felon vote is ruining lives and costing taxpayers

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

(First of two parts) Over a half-century ago, CBS News and journalist Edward R. Murrow aired a documentary about Florida’s migrant farmworkers called “Harvest of Shame.” Murrow documented the long hours and low wages of the migrant farmers, along with the poor health care, housing and education for the migrant families. A similar documentary could be done today focusing on the shame of Florida’s criminal justice policies that makes many crimes felonies that other states consider misdemeanors. As a result…

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Personnel note: SunTrust’s David Mann is Florida TaxWatch’s new chairman

in Statewide by

David Mann, an executive with SunTrust Bank, has assumed the chairmanship of FloridaTaxwatch, the government watchdog organization. The transition came during TaxWatch’s board meeting on Nov. 17 and was announced Wednesday. Former state Sen. Pat Neal of Neal Communities, a homebuilding company, became chairman-elect. Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, chairman of Gunster, is treasurer, and Piyush Patel, of Kyra Solutions Inc., an information technology company, is secretary. Mann succeeds Michelle Robinson, vice president for government affairs for Verizon. “I’m honored…

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Joe Henderson: New House rules put lobbyists in their place and increases transparency

in Statewide by

Mike Fasano, the Pasco County Tax Collector and former state legislator, lives near incoming Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran. They are friends and they speak frequently with each other. Sometimes they agree on policies, sometimes they don’t. But they are in total accord about the dramatic changes regarding lobbyists and other measures Corcoran has planned for the upcoming year in the Legislature. “During my 20 years in the Legislature, I saw firsthand how much lobbyists were in control of the…

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