Statement from Dominic M. Calabro, President and CEO of Florida TaxWatch, the independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit public policy research institute and government watchdog.
“It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to a great Floridian, an esteemed Florida TaxWatch Founder, Chairman (1980-1982) and the first President of Florida TaxWatch, Senator Ken Plante. Kenny was a true statesman, dedicated to the people of Florida and committed to representing all who called the state home, from the largest businesses to the smallest families. It was these principals that guided his career as a respected lawmaker, a trusted advisor and a lifelong leader.
“In 1979, Senator Ken Plante and then-Senate President Phil Lewis approached the founders of successful Florida businesses, Publix and Winn-Dixie, to create a nonpartisan watchdog group to oversee state spending. Their goal was to establish an independent organization to identify opportunities to work with government to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of spending and services.
“More than 35 years later, Senator Plante’s legacy lives on through the nonpartisan research from Florida TaxWatch. TaxWatch continues Senator Plante’s vision to dutifully examine state programs to make efficiency and cost saving recommendations in the best interest of Florida taxpayers.
“On behalf of the Officers, Board, Membership and Staff of Florida TaxWatch, join us in expressing our deepest sympathies to Ken’s love of his life and wife, Santy Plante, and the entire family of Senator Ken Plante (1939-2015), a Florida TaxWatch Founder and great statesman.”