Introduction Many in the Florida Legislature have been rightly criticizing local governments for rapidly increasing property taxes and budgets. The property tax debate and the […]
Introduction According to Newton’s first law of motion, an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an outside force. Florida’s manufacturing sector
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, May 7, 2026 CONTACT: Christina Johnson Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released its report, Florida Manufacturing: A Highly Productive and Integral Economic Driver,
Friday, April 17 is Florida Taxpayer Independence Day 2026 — the symbolic date when the average Florida household has earned enough to satisfy all federal, state, and local tax obligations for the year.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, April 14, 2026 CONTACT: Christina Johnson Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida TaxWatch announced today that Friday, April 17 is Florida Taxpayer Independence Day (TID) 2026. This
Each year, more than one hundred million visitors come to Florida to enjoy its beaches, warm temperatures, and its numerous parks, thrills, and attractions. Latest FloridaCommerce data confirm that Florida set a new all-time annual record in calendar year 2024 with 143 million visitors an increase of 1.7 percent over the previous record set in 2023. Out-of-state visitors to Florida spent $134.9 billion in calendar year 2024. For every $1 spent by a visitor, 99 cents stayed in Florida’s economy, with 59 cents supporting worker salaries. Tourism supported 1.8 million jobs in 2024 and generated $79.9 billion in wages, including $44 billion in direct wages. Tourism-related activity produced $33.6 billion in federal, state, and local taxes. Tourism accounted for 7.8 percent of Florida’s Nominal Gross State Product (GSP), contributing $133.6 billion to the state’s economy in 2024. Without tourism, Florida households would pay $1,730 more annually in state and local taxes alone to sustain current levels of revenue.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, April 9, 2026 CONTACT: Christina Johnson Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida TaxWatch (FTW) President and CEO Jeff Kottkamp today presented a report, Tourism In Central Florida:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, April 2, 2026 CONTACT: Christina Johnson Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch released its report, Cost of Living in Florida: A Mid-Decade Check-In. These metrics clearly
For millions of Floridians, the defining economic question of the mid-2020s isn’t about growth or GDP — it’s about whether they can still afford to stay.
For the second year in a row, the Florida Legislature ended its 60-day session without completing its only constitutionally required task — passing a state budget.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, March 20, 2026 CONTACT: Christina Johnson Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch released its report, Florida Economic Forecast: 2025 – 2035 / Q4 2025.The data
Florida’s economy reached $1.85 trillion in Q3 2025, ranking first among all 50 states and the District of Columbia in economic growth. This fourth installment of Florida TaxWatch’s quarterly economic forecast series — produced in partnership with the Regional Economic Consulting Group — examines whether that momentum is sustainable through 2035.
Florida’s Law Enforcement Apprenticeship Program (LEAP) is helping address persistent officer shortages, particularly in rural and fiscally constrained communities where recruiting and retaining qualified personnel remains a challenge. Traditional pathways into law enforcement often require candidates to pay for training upfront while forgoing income, creating barriers that limit access to the profession.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, March 5, 2026 CONTACT: Christina Johnson Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Thursday, March 5, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) will proudly announce that Dr. Carter G. Woodson
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 CONTACT: Christina Johnson Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released its report, Conservation Easements: In Perpetuity Until They’re Not, and undertakes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 CONTACT: Christina Johnson Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Wednesday, March 4, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) will proudly announce that Coquina Elementary School former
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 CONTACT: Christina Johnson Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Tuesday, March 3, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) will proudly announce Spring Creek Charter School Principal
Manufacturing is one of Florida’s leading industries and a key driver of job growth and economic strength, contributing more than $80 billion to Florida’s annual GDP.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, February 20, 2026 CONTACT: Christina Johnson Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released its 2025 MakeMore Manufacturing Summit: Summary Report and was honored to participate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, February 12, 2026 CONTACT: Christina Johnson Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Thursday, February 12, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) will proudly announce that Irving & Beatrice Peskoe K-8 Center
For over 45 years, donor support has made Florida TaxWatch the state’s leading independent voice for taxpayer accountability. There are many ways to support our mission.
