The taxpayer watchdog group Florida TaxWatch found 450 budget projects totaling $854.6 million they deem to be “turkeys” — a 43% increase over last year when the group found $598.7 million in turkeys.
Florida TaxWatch’s 2024 Budget Turkey Watch Report scrutinizes the Florida FY2024-25 budget, identifying appropriations that bypass established legislative procedures. Known as Budget Turkeys, these appropriations often serve limited areas, are not core state functions, or circumvent competitive bidding and oversight.
Key Highlights:
Budget Turkeys: The FY2024-25 budget includes 450 Budget Turkeys, totaling $854.6 million.
Additional Scrutiny: Projects totaling $912.2 million, while not qualifying as Budget Turkeys, warrant close examination by the Governor.
Proliferation of Member Projects: For the third consecutive year, the budget contains over 1600 local member projects, amounting to approximately $2.8 billion. This surge in member projects highlights the need for a more thorough review and fair selection process.
Recommendations:
Reform and Limit Member Projects: To promote a transparent and accountable budgeting process, it is essential to establish a competitive review and selection system for local projects.
Adhere to Established Processes: The Legislature should follow its own rules and procedures, ensuring that every appropriation receives proper deliberation and public scrutiny.
Escambia Turkeys:
WSRE Antenna Removal in Escambia County $250,000
Historic Pensacola 2 grants $250,000 each
Pensacola Cultural Center $470,000
Florida Dept. of Health Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Clinic $470,000
Transitional Homeless Family Housing $3.6 million
Fresh Start Village Phase 2 $660,000
Santa Rosa Turkeys:
Santa Rosa County East River Preserve Nature Trail $500,000
South Santa Rosa Soccer Complex two $1 million items
Santa Rosa County – Intersection Improvements $500,000
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The Florida Chamber gave our legislative delegation A’s – Sen. Doug Broxson, Rep. Alex Andrade, Rep. Joel Rudman and Rep. Michelle Salzman voted 100% in favor of the Chamber’s initiatives.
The Florida Chamber informed lawmakers which issues it would be paying attention to ahead of the 2024 Legislative Session in its annual “Where We Stand” and “Florida Business Agenda” publications, which were delivered to lawmakers before any tracked votes were taken. See report card.
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