TALLAHASSY, Fla. (WFLA) — The Hankies fell late Monday night, and the feud faded, and as such, Florida lawmakers closed the 2025 session on a long-term budget of $1151 billion.
But while the celebrations have taken the Florida State Capitol, not everyone is convinced that the state’s new spending plan is fully serving Floridians.
Florida’s Taxwatch, a nonpartisan watchdog group known as Florida’s taxpayer’s eyes and ears, has questioned billions with the local membership project that created the final budget.
“We are pleased to announce that Colonel Jeff Cotkhamp, executive vice president of Florida Taxwatch,” said:
This year’s budget includes over 1,600 local membership projects, totaling over $2 billion, according to the group.
“Many member projects are certainly valuable. They are highly valued by lawmakers and their communities, but they raise important questions. Should the state fund project be that scope is usually the responsibility of local government, not the statewide? We asked Kurt Wenner, senior vice president of research at Florida Taxwatch.
Despite concerns, the group praised several policy victories, including eliminating business rent taxes and permanent tax holidays.
Florida Taxwatch urges Gov. Ron DeSantis to take a tough look at some of these member projects and consider using the line item veto before signing the budget.
