Staff Reports
A recent report by a Florida watchdog group has brought to light some significant issues with the state's budget process. On Wednesday, Florida TaxWatch released its 2024 Budget Turkey Watch Report, scrutinizing the budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Jeff Kottkamp, former lieutenant governor and now executive vice president of Florida TaxWatch, stressed the report's role in ensuring state lawmakers are held accountable. He underscored the importance of transparency and rigorous debate in the budgeting process, insisting that every project should be thoroughly examined.
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(The Center Square) — A Florida nonprofit organization released a report on Wednesday identifying individual budget appropriations that did not undergo thorough scrutiny by lawmakers. Florida TaxWatch released its 2024 Budget Turkeyhttps://t.co/ZjJszGH5pQ
— Conservative News Daily (@ConservNewsDly) May 16, 2024
The report highlighted 450 budget turkeys, totaling $854.6 million, alongside an additional $912.2 million in projects needing closer examination by Governor Ron DeSantis. These projects, not labeled as budget turkeys, signal broader issues with budget appropriations. Additionally, the report pointed out a worrying rise in local member projects, with over 1,600 projects amounting to $2.8 billion. This marks the third year in a row with a surge in member projects.
During a news conference, Kurt Wenner, senior vice president of research at Florida TaxWatch, addressed the state's considerable budget surpluses, attributed to record-setting revenue growth. Wenner acknowledged the state's significant investments in vital areas like infrastructure, the environment, and healthcare, as well as efforts to cut taxes, reduce debt, and maintain reserves.
However, Wenner voiced concern about the increasing number of budget turkeys and local member projects, particularly those deemed more of a luxury than a necessity. He questioned the state's justification for funding these projects. Florida TaxWatch recommended that if the Legislature persists in funding such projects, it should implement stricter review processes within the legal framework.
