Highlights from Governor Rick Scott’s proposed budget plan for FY 2014-15 are featured in the latest Budget Watch Report from Florida TaxWatch. The $74.20 billion spending plan is slightly lower than current year spending, even as lawmakers are expected to have their first budget surplus in many years.
“I commend Governor Scott for including many cost-savings recommendations from Florida TaxWatch,” said Dominic M. Calabro, President and CEO of Florida TaxWatch, the independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit public policy research institute and government watchdog. “By increasing efficiency in state government and offering significant tax cuts, this budget shows his commitment to Florida taxpayers.”
Among incorporated recommendations from this year’s cost-savings report, Modern Management & Sensible Savings, is the creation of the Agency for State Technology with the resources and authority to consolidate IT governance throughout state government. In addition to inclusion in the Governor’s budget, the agency is supported by the Florida Senate and House of Representatives 2014 Work Plan. TaxWatch estimates Florida taxpayers could save up to $20 million with only a one percent efficiency improvement under a new agency.
Other Florida TaxWatch cost savings recommendations in the proposed budget include modifications to State Employee Health Insurance, expansion of electronic monitoring for nonviolent prison inmates, and using data analytics to reduce Medicaid fraud.
Since 2009, similar cost-saving recommendations from TaxWatch have saved Florida taxpayers more than $4.2 billion in efficiency improvements at the state level.
Budget items supported by Florida TaxWatch research include increased investment in Florida tourism and transportation, performance-based funding for higher education and additional funding for principal training.
“Florida TaxWatch commends Governor Scott for recommending to hold the line on total state spending, returning money to Florida taxpayers, and maintaining healthy state reserves while still proposing increased spending for important state priorities such as education,” said Florida TaxWatch Chairman John B. Zumwalt, III. “This budget is a good starting point for our state Legislature to create a spending plan that benefits all Florida taxpayers.”
In addition to the TaxWatch recommendations, the Budget Watch report outlines the proposed $574 million tax cut for Floridians, including a reduction in the sales tax on commercial leases, reduced corporate filing fees, an increased corporate income tax exemption, and a $401 million reduction in motor vehicle fees, expected to save each Florida driver $25.