Florida TaxWatch Commends Senators Gaetz, Negron for Budget Process Changes
Florida TaxWatch Commends Senators Gaetz, Negron for Budget Process Changes
TALLAHASSEE- Appropriations Chair Joe Negron announced today an “Intensive Budget Review Process” that Senate budget writers will be undertaking this Session. The new process is meant to provide more analysis of money the state is currently spending (and is typically assumed to carry over into the next budget), and a focus on local member projects that have been funded with recurring revenue in the base budget, rather than focusing specifically on new initiatives. For years, Florida TaxWatch has highlighted the problem of local projects finding their way into the base budget and their lack of review.
“Florida TaxWatch commends Senate President Don Gaetz and Appropriations Chair Joe Negron for proposing this ambitious and very valuable review process,” said Dominic M. Calabro, President and CEO of Florida TaxWatch. “A well-executed review such as this can greatly improve the safeguarding of taxpayer dollars.”
As part of the new process, Chairman Negron has asked each of his subcommittee chairs to give a thorough review of their areas’ base budgets, with an eye towards ensuring that limited resources are being spent in ways that maximize return to the taxpayers. State agencies will also be asked to provide performance evaluations to the Legislature for local projects. Additionally, working with CFO Jeff Atwater, the Senate will be examining big-ticket contracts and ways to make the current contracting process more efficient and accountable.
CONTACT: Chris Barry, Communications Coordinator, cbarry@floridataxwatch.org 850.222.5052
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