Florida TaxWatch's Pocket Budget Guide Now Available

Tallahassee-based research group and government watchdog Florida TaxWatch has produced The Florida TaxWatch Taxpayer's Pocket Guide to Florida's FY2014-15 State Budget -- help to quickly get spending highlights in each budget area. It also provides a look back at Florida's fiscal growth.

"Reading Florida's more than 400-page budget can be daunting, but the Florida TaxWatch budget pocket guide provides Florida taxpayers with an easy-to-understand explanation of what their hard-earned money is paying for," said Dominic M. Calabro, president and CEO of the independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit group.

According to a statement from Florida TaxWatch, the budget guide breaks down state spending by budget area and funding source. It also includes historical information about state reserves, Medicaid and the transportation work program. Florida Education Finance Program funding information is also featured, with information on the source of revenue as well as a historical review of per-student funding allocations, TaxWatch says.

"The state budget provides historic levels of funding for children, families, and K-12 education, which helps to invest in Florida's future growth," added Calabro. "Overall, Florida taxpayers should be pleased with the investments our state will be making in the new year."

"Florida's fiscal discipline in passing a balanced budget is on display today," said Florida TaxWatch Chairman John B. Zumwalt III. "The governor's and Legislature's commitment to maintaining Florida's fiscal strength has helped Florida pay down its debt and increase its bond rating, making Florida a great place to live, work, and build a business, while the federal government's financial health has steadily deteriorated."

"During the 2014 legislative session, the Florida Senate worked with our colleagues in the Florida House and Gov. Scott to craft a common-sense state budget that invested in the needs of our state while also providing meaningful tax relief for hard-working Florida families," said Senate Majority Leader Lizbeth Benacquisto. "We set aside $3 billion in reserves, invested unprecedented funding in education and allocated funding to improve our child welfare system."

Taxpayers can request a copy of the budget pocket guide at http://www.floridataxwatch.org/research/budgetguide1415.