With the state facing at least a $3 billion shortfall, Gov. Charlie Crist and state lawmakers must get serious about generating more revenue. Yes, more budget cuts are inevitable, but Florida already spends less per person than any state in the South. The surest way to doom the state's economic prospects is to neglect its education system, infrastructure, resource protection and the social safety net that helps those in need regain self-sufficiency. ...more

March 25, 2009

Tampa's firefighters will receive a 2.5 percent cost-of-living raise this year as well as an additional 3.5 percent step plan increase for those who qualify. ...more

March 6, 2009

Back in the 1990s, former Gov. Lawton Chiles compared Florida to an 18-wheeler running on a Model T engine. He was referring to the state's antiquated tax system developed before World War II when the state was the least-populated in the South. ...more

July 27, 2008

An open-ended proposal to cut property taxes and raise other revenue had both supporters and detractors struggling this week to predict how the measure would affect the Floridians who vote on it in November. ...more

July 24, 2008

TALLAHASSEE An open-ended proposal to cut property taxes and raise other revenues had both supporters and detractors struggling this week to predict how the measure would affect the Floridians who vote on it in November. ...more

July 23, 2008

The Tampa Bay area's transportation authority appeared Friday on Florida TaxWatch's list of "budget turkeys," raising the specter of a possible funding veto for a second straight year. ...more

May 31, 2008

In a sluggish economy, Gov. Charlie Crist is offering a budget that taps deeply into reserves to build what he calls a "bridge to the future." By gambling that an economic rebound is coming soon, Crist avoids making the tough choices circumstances require. ...more

February 12, 2008

Bracing for more weakening of Florida's economy, Gov. Charlie Crist proposed a $70 billion state budget Thursday that would encourage businesses but spend gambling money and reserves to get by. ...more

February 1, 2008

Hillsborough County has invited Florida TaxWatch to audit the county's finances, despite concerns the group promises more savings than can actually be delivered. ...more

January 4, 2008