Florida TaxWatch

09/28/2026

As Florida prepares for the pivotal 2026 elections, Florida TaxWatch invites you to join policymakers, business leaders, and nationally recognized voices at the Fiscal Accountability Leadership Summit, taking place October 21–23 at the Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale.

This year's program features an exceptional lineup of speakers, including Governor Jeb Bush, Senator Rick Scott, Eric Metaxas, Eric Silagy, Jenn Pellegrino, Dr. Karen Cyphers, Dr. Susan MacManus, and Ryan Maness, with discussions focused on economic growth, public policy, accountability, and Florida's continued success.

This is one meeting you won’t want to miss. Register now, spots are filling fast: https://floridataxwatch.org/events/fiscal-accountability-leadership-summit/

09/24/2026

Florida has more residential swimming pools than any other state, about one for every 14 residents, and the pool industry pumps an estimated $12.2 billion into Florida's economy each year. But pools mixed with electricity and water create shock hazards. Our newest report, "Equipotential Bonding for Pool Safety," breaks down the safety systems that protect swimmers, comparing a costly bonding grid to a wire method that could save homeowners hundreds of dollars. Read the full report here: https://floridataxwatch.org/equipotential-bonding-for-pool-safety/

09/24/2026

Florida TaxWatch has released its newest Voter Guide, "The Florida Taxpayer’s Guide for the 2026 Constitutional Amendments". On November 3, 2026, Floridians will vote on three proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution. Each needs 60 percent approval to pass. This Voter Guide gives Florida voters what they need to cast an informed vote. To read more visit: https://floridataxwatch.org/the-florida-taxpayers-guide-for-the-2026-constitutional-amendments/

All three of the proposed constitutional amendments were put on the ballot by the Florida legislature:

Proposed Amendment 1 would increase the maximum balance in the state's Budget Stabilization Fund (BSF) from ten percent of the previous year's general revenue (GR) collections to 25 percent (To Read More On This Amendment View Our Voter Guide).

Proposed Amendment 2 would exempt tangible personal property (machinery, equipment, tools, computers, etc.) that is used in agricultural production or agritourism from property taxes (To Read More On This Amendment View Our Voter Guide).

Proposed Amendment 3 would increase the homestead exemption on non-school property taxes from $51,411 to $150,000 in 2027, and $250,000 in 2028, and then increase the exemption annually by inflation (To Read More On This Amendment View Our Voter Guide).

For each amendment, the Voter Guide breaks down what it actually changes, the case for and against it, its cost to taxpayers, and our recommendations, so you can vote with confidence on November 3. Visit https://floridataxwatch.org/the-florida-taxpayers-guide-for-the-2026-constitutional-amendments/ for more information.

09/21/2026

Book your room before September 28 to lock in our discounted group rate! Join Florida's 43rd Governor Jeb Bush as Florida prepares for the pivotal 2026 election in November. Florida TaxWatch invites you to join policymakers, business leaders, and nationally recognized voices at the Fiscal Accountability Leadership Summit, taking place October 21–23 at the Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale.

Registration is filling quickly. Secure your spot and your room today at https://floridataxwatch.org/events/fiscal-accountability-leadership-summit/

09/11/2026

Twenty-five years ago today, our nation experienced one of the darkest days in American history. For those of us that lived through it—-it was a deeply emotional day. On September 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 innocent people lost their lives in attacks on U.S. soil that forever changed our nation.

We remember the victims, honor their families, and recognized the extraordinary courage of the first responders, firefighters, law enforcement officers, military personnel, medical professionals, and citizens who demonstrated inspiring bravery and selflessness that day. What came out of this tragedy was an incredible spirit of national unity, and the resolve to not only hold those responsible accountable—-but to make sure something like this never happened again.

Twenty-five years later, the lessons of 9/11 remain with us. We are reminded of the strength that comes from standing together, serving others, and preserving the principles that unite us as Americans.

Today, we pause to remember those we lost and to express our gratitude to those who responded with courage and compassion.

At Florida TaxWatch...We remember. We honor. We will never forget. May God Continue to bless America.

09/08/2026

Last week, the Government Productivity Awards presented by Kyra Solutions was held at the Florida Historic Capital Museum in Tallahassee Florida, recognizing and awarding 10 state employees whose work has improved state services and save money for Florida taxpayers and businesses.

To Learn More About This Year's Winners, Visit: https://floridataxwatch.org/programs/government-productivity-awards/

View the photos from The Government Productivity Award Ceremony here: https://floridataxwatch.org/about-florida-taxwatch/photos/

Recognizing, Rewarding, Replicating. The Government Productivity Awards are made possible through the generosity of Kyra Solutions, Inc., as Presenting Sponsor, and the vision of the late J.E. Davis and A.D. Davis, co-founders of Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. and co-founders of Florida TaxWatch. Since 1989...

09/03/2026

Eric Silagy, Vice Chairman of Related Ross and former Chairman, President, & CEO of Florida Power & Light, will join the Florida TaxWatch Fiscal Accountability Leadership Summit as a featured speaker.

Silagy brings two decades of experience directing large-scale infrastructure investment and economic development in Florida. At the Summit, he'll speak to the state's economic trajectory, growth opportunities, and the leadership needed to sustain long-term prosperity.

Register today to save your seat >> https://floridataxwatch.org/events/fiscal-accountability-leadership-summit/

08/31/2026

With affordability continuing to be one of the biggest challenges facing Florida families and businesses, Senator Rick Scott will be leading a conversation focused on a simple question: How do we make the American Dream affordable again?

He joins an outstanding group of confirmed speakers, including Governor Jeb Bush, Eric Metaxas, Jenn Pellegrino, Dr. Susan MacManus, Dr. Karen Cyphers, and Ryan Maness, with additional speakers and program announcements to come.

Register before prices increase September 1st: https://floridataxwatch.org/events/fiscal-accountability-leadership-summit/

08/27/2026

A new federal tax credit is about to reshape school choice in Florida, it's called The Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC). Starting in 2027, individuals can claim a dollar-for-dollar credit of up to $1,700 for donating to approved scholarship organizations, which then fund K-12 scholarships for eligible students. Florida is one of 31 states that have already opted in.

This builds on a state that's already a national leader, with nearly 1.4 million students, more than half of all taxpayer-funded students, using some form of school choice. And it comes without pulling a dollar from public school budgets.

Read our full breakdown of how the Education Freedom Tax Credit works, who qualifies, and what it means for Florida families and schools.

Read Full Report: https://floridataxwatch.org/new-federal-scholarship-tax-credit-program-expands-educational-choice-options/

08/21/2026

Amendment 3 is on every Florida ballot this November, and we built a free resource to help voters understand it.

The Property Tax Resource Center (PropertyTaxFL.org) brings together a one-page guide, a searchable county-by-county database, a FAQ sheet, and much more. We made it all free, and hope it serves as a valuable resource for voters to get nonpartisan information from a trusted resource on what Amendment 3 is, how it works, and how it may affect you and your local community.

Have a specific question? Text TAXWATCH to 850.952.8955 and our research team will get you an answer directly.

Explore the research: FloridaTaxWatch.org.
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