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Florida TaxWatch - page 5

Capitol Reax: Medical marijuana, abortion restrictions, IT security, criminal justice

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Gov. Rick Scott signed a raft of bills into law on Friday, including ones to expand medical marijuana to more patients in need. The bill extends the Right to Try Act to include medical marijuana and also gives assurances to dispensing organizations that have already received a license from the department of state. Susan Driscoll, president of Surterra Therapeutics and managing director of Alpha Foliage, said in a statement: “Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature have helped a lot of…

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Florida TaxWatch: 2016-17 budget includes $104.9 million in turkeys

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Money for aviation and manufacturing programs at Brevard County public schools. Cash for Hillsborough County Fair and the Hardee County Cattlemen’s Arena. They might be worthy projects, but they are also just a few of 143 projects on Florida TaxWatch’s annual turkey list. The 2016 list was released Friday, just one day after Gov. Rick Scott signed the state’s $82 billion spending plan. “Florida TaxWatch commends the Legislature for drafting a balanced budget that meets the needs of many of…

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Today on Context Florida: Teacher bonuses, Irish Troubles, TaxWatch recommendations and Kick Butts Day

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Today on Context Florida: In Florida, 68,000 teachers carry an evaluation that rates them as “highly effective.” They’re the best of the best. Yet Joanne McCall says only a small percentage of these top teachers qualified for bonuses this year under Florida’s Best and Brightest bonus scheme. But 820 first-year teachers – on the job for only a few months without ever receiving a performance evaluation — each received nearly $8,500 in bonuses. McCall is calling on Gov. Rick Scott to…

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Florida TaxWatch names Robert Cruz new chief economist

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Nonpartisan government watchdog Florida TaxWatch has named Robert Cruz as its new chief economist, the group announced Tuesday. Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic Calabro said the hire “will further Florida TaxWatch’s status as the premier government watchdog in the Sunshine State.” “We are excited to welcome Dr. Cruz to our team,” Calabro said. “He brings a breadth of experience to our organization with a professional career spanning 33 years as a university professor, academic researcher and economics consultant to private sector firms and public sector…

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Florida TaxWatch backs Enterprise Florida fund, economic incentives

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Florida TaxWatch trumpeted the release of a new report Thursday morning, in which the conservative watchdog group endorsed plans to keep tax dollars flowing to economic incentives along the lines of those favored by Gov. Rick Scott, including $250 million Scott has requested for a dedicated fund for Enterprise Florida business recruitment efforts. The report, entitled “A Catalyst for Growth: An Analysis of Florida’s Economic Development Incentive Programs,” said incentives are bringing results in the form of job growth and better economic…

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Capitol Reax: Telehealth, Dozier School for Boys, dental plans, economic incentives

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Efforts to expand telehealth options in Florida are moving through the state Legislature, and the state Senate on Tuesday approved a measure (SB 1686) aimed at improving access. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Aaron Bean, defines telehealth, creates a telehealth task force, and authorizes healthcare practitioners in Florida to participate in telehealth. The measure passed the Senate health policy committee 9-0. Dominic Calabro, president and CEO of Florida TaxWatch, said in a statement: “We are extremely pleased that the Legislature…

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Dimmed budget outlook has TaxWatch urging efficiency

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Government spending watchdog Florida TaxWatch says the recommendations from the Florida Government Efficiency Taskforce are even more important in light of reduced revenue estimates over the next few fiscal years. State economists recently predicted Florida will have $31.257 billion in general revenue funds for the 2016-17 budget year, $395 million less than their October estimate. The estimating conference also lowered estimates for budget years running through 2020-21 by an average of $279 million each year. “The General Revenue Estimating Conference…

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