Florida TaxWatch Finds $1 Billion in Savings for Taxpayers

Florida TaxWatch released its annual cost-savings and efficiency recommendations for Florida in "Modern Management & Sensible Savings" Wednesday, highlightingmore than $1 billion in savings for Florida taxpayers without reducing state-provided services.

"The TaxWatch recommendations are designed to identify opportunities to improve efficiency and accountability while saving taxpayer dollars," said Dominic M. Calabro, president and CEO of Florida TaxWatch, the independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute and government watchdog. "Each recommendation contains a solution that our state's elected leaders can act upon to help the Sunshine State better serve its customers, who are ultimately Florida taxpayers."

Six comprehensive recommendations included in the reportaddress replacement of the state's accounting system; information technology governance, procurement and state asset management; pension reform; criminal justice reform; state health insurance reforms; and revenue maximization.

"This report presents ideas that have been fully vetted by business leaders, public servants with knowledge of government operations, and TaxWatch research staff," said John R. Alexander, chairman of the TaxWatch Center for Government Efficiency. "These recommendations are responsible, proactive, and the right solutions for all Floridians. I am confident in my hope that Florida's elected leaders take these recommendations into consideration as they determine how to allocate taxpayer dollars in the coming Session and beyond."

One key recommendation of this year's reportis to replace the state's antiquated accounting system, which is more than 30 years old. Replacing the Florida Accounting Information Resource (FLAIR) will, according to a press release from Florida TaxWatch, increase efficiency and transparency in Florida's $74 billion budget. Thecost-savings recommendations included in the reportmay help offset the cost of a $500 million tax cut proposed by Florida lawmakers this year.

"Florida lawmakers have done an incredible job incorporating cost-saving measures in the budget during the last several years, but TaxWatch continues to recommend a few key improvements that will have a significant impact on Florida and its taxpayers," added Calabro.

TaxWatch has been publishing its annual cost-savings reports through the Florida TaxWatch Government Cost Savings Task Force since 2009. Since then, the Florida Legislature has incorporated many of TaxWatch's recommendations, resulting in more than $4.2 billion in savings for Florida taxpayers.

"Even as our policymakers and elected officials enter the fiscal year with a budget surplus, it is crucial that reforms are made to increase efficiency and reduce spending to ensure that Florida faces an economically stable future," said John B. Zumwalt III, Florida TaxWatch chairman. "It is our hope that the Legislature considers these recommendations while they determine how to spend Floridians' hard-earned dollars in 2014."