| Florida TaxWatch | |
| Formation: | 1979 |
| Type: | Research Institute |
| Headquarters: | 106 N. Bronough St. |
| Location: | Tallahassee, Florida |
| Leader Title: | President and CEO |
| Leader Name: | Dominic M. Calabro |
Florida Taxwatch is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute located in Tallahassee, Florida. 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 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit educational and research organization.[1] Since 1982, the organization has been led by President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro.[2]
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.[3]
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.[4]
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.[5]
Florida TaxWatch publishes various research reports, briefings, and periodicals.[6] Notable publications include its annual Budget Turkey report, a monthly Economic Commentary, and a monthly Budget Watch.
Florida TaxWatch holds various events throughout the year including:
As of December 2016:[2]
Despite claims of non-partisanship, Florida TaxWatch policy positions have been described in the media as consistent with conservative fiscal policy.[11] [12] 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.[13]