The watchdog group Florida TaxWatch believes the state could trim up to $1 billion in spending by modernizing its accounting system, improving its information technology processes and taking other steps to ease the cost of government on taxpayers.
In a report released Wednesday, the group outlined six areas where the state could save money: by replacing its 30-year-old accounting system; upgrading its IT capabilities and other management processes (such as procurement); overhauling the pension system; reforming the criminal justice system; revising health insurance for state employees; and increasing efficiency in tax collections.
“This report presents ideas that have been fully vetted by business leaders, public servants with knowledge of government operations, and TaxWatch research staff,” John R. Alexander, chairman of the TaxWatch Center for Government Efficiency, said in a news release accompanying the report.
“These recommendations are responsible, proactive, and the right solutions for all Floridians. I am confident in my hope that Florida’s elected leaders take these recommendations into consideration as they determine how to allocate taxpayer dollars in the coming session and beyond.”
TaxWatch has been issuing the annual report since 2009. In prior years, suggested changes adopted by the Florida Legislature have saved taxpayers about $4.2 billion, according to the release.
“The TaxWatch recommendations are designed to identify opportunities to improve efficiency and accountability while saving taxpayer dollars,” TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro said in the release.
“Each recommendation contains a solution that our state’s elected leaders can act upon to help the Sunshine State better serve its customers, who are ultimately Florida taxpayers.”
While Florida’s economy has improved since the first report, the importance of cutting state spending where necessary hasn’t changed, TaxWatch Chairman John B. Zumwalt III said in the release.
“Even as our policymakers and elected officials enter the fiscal year with a budget surplus, it is crucial that reforms are made to increase efficiency and reduce spending to ensure that Florida faces an economically stable future,” Zumwalt said.
“It is our hope that the Legislature considers these recommendations while they determine how to spend Floridians’ hard-earned dollars in 2014.”
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
- Kamala Harris: ‘Listen, women are getting pregnant every day in America, and this is a real issue’ - July 25, 2022
- How a small border town is dealing with huge consequences of Biden’s border policies - June 25, 2022
- Biden admin expands ‘critical habitats’ for endangered species to include lands they no longer live in - June 25, 2022
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
BPR INSIDER COMMENTS
Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!
