Florida TaxWatch launched its Center for Florida Citizenship at an event at the Old Capitol in Tallahassee on Wednesday.
The new organization will educate Floridians on their state government and encourage them to become active in state affairs.
"To hold government accountable, citizens must be directly involved in its processes," said Dominic Calabro, the president and CEO of Florida TaxWatch on Wednesday. "The Center for Florida Citizenship will give Floridians the tools they need to understand government and take necessary steps to effect change."
The new center will be chaired by former Gov. Bob Martinez who stressed the important mission of Florida TaxWatchs new effort.
"As former Florida governor, I value the important role of citizens in government," Martinez said on Wednesday. "The Center for Florida Citizenship will foster citizens' engagement efforts, and will make them more effective at advocating for their needs, while protecting the integrity of government."
Former state Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Mike Sole, currently the vice president of government affairs for Florida Power & Light, is co-chairing the center with Martinez.
"The Center for Florida Citizenship will enable hard-working Floridians to take back their critical role in government, by providing oversight, input, and interest back in the political and policy development processes," said Sole on Wednesday.
There are several other familiar names serving on the centers board, including former Florida Attorney General Bob Butterworth, current Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner and retiring state Rep. Joe Gibbons, D-Pembroke Park. Other members of the board include Leon County Elections Supervisor Ion Sancho, noted pundit Susan MacManus from the University of South Florida and Jeff Johnson from the AARP.
The center unveiled its website featuring information on how state government works, taxes and the political process. Florida TaxWatch also released its 2014 voter guide on Wednesday which focuses on the three proposed state constitutional amendments that Floridians will vote on in November.
Florida's elections laws can create confusion for Floridians when they go to vote on proposed constitutional amendments, since amendments placed on the ballot by citizens' initiative are limited to a 75-word description," said Calabro. "The 2014 Florida TaxWatch Voter Guide seeks to help voters understand what they are voting for or against. The guide gives an opportunity for voters to get all of the necessary information without political influence so they can make an informed decision that aligns with their individual values."
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
