Florida TaxWatch
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 Florida TaxWatch headquarters (former St. James C.M.E. Church building) in Tallahassee | |
| Formation | 1979 |
|---|---|
| Type | Research institute |
| Headquarters | 106 N. Bronough St. |
| Location | |
President and CEO | Jeff Kottkamp |
| Website | floridataxwatch |
Florida TaxWatch is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute located in Tallahassee, Florida. Founded in 1979 as the Citizens Council for Budget Research, Florida TaxWatch conducts research aimed at improving government efficiency and accountability. Florida TaxWatch is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit educational and research organization.[1] Since January 2026, the organization has been led by President and CEO The Honorable Jeff Kottkamp, Florida’s 17th Lieutenant Governor.[2][3][4]
Florida TaxWatch operates two research institutes:
- The Census Institute – Focuses on the implications and importance of census data for policy-making and resource allocation in Florida.[5][6]
- The Institute of Quality Health and Aging – Dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Florida's aging population through research.[7]
Additionally, Florida TaxWatch oversees the Governor Bob and Mary Jane Martinez Citizenship Institute at Florida TaxWatch, an applied learning program distinct from its traditional research efforts. The program offers 3–4 days of intensive instruction from a diverse group of experts, including current or former agency heads, legislators, distinguished university professors, and other state and local officials. Among the prominent instructors is Florida’s 40th Governor, Bob Martinez. With a class size limited to 15–20 participants, the institute emphasizes practical government interaction and policy impact, differing from conventional leadership programs.[8]
History
[edit]In 1977, incoming Florida Senate President Phil Lewis approached Mark Hollis, then Vice President of Publix Super Markets, about the business community coming to the Florida Legislature to seek increases in consumer taxes rather than finding ways to hold the line on spending. Following this discussion, the two decided that a state government watchdog was needed.
An organizational meeting convened in Tampa two years later resulted in the formation of the Citizens Council for Budget Research, which five years later was renamed Florida TaxWatch. The founders were Winn-Dixie Chairman J.E. Davis, T. Wayne Davis, Publix Super Markets founder George Jenkins and President Mark Hollis, and Florida State Senator Phil Lewis and Florida State Senator Ken Plante.[9]
Florida TaxWatch is currently located in the former St. James Christian Methodist Episcopal church. Built in 1899, the church was constructed on land purchased by black members of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church and was, at one point, the oldest African-American church in Tallahassee.[10]
Publications
[edit]Florida TaxWatch produces a range of research reports and briefings that scrutinize economic and policy issues impacting Florida. The publications aim to foster transparency, accountability, and informed policy-making.
Events
[edit]Florida TaxWatch organizes a variety of annual events aimed at promoting efficiency and accountability in state government, as well as recognizing leadership and performance in education:
The Florida TaxWatch Government Productivity Awards, formerly known as the TaxWatch Productivity Awards/Prudential Productivity Awards. This event recognizes state agencies and workgroups that significantly increase productivity and improve accountability within state government.[11][12]
The Principal Leadership Awards, which honors outstanding Florida principals in high-risk K–12 public schools who have achieved significant learning gains for at-risk students.[13]
The Florida Policy Forum, an annual event providing an in-depth recap of the legislative session and updates on newly enacted laws and state policy; it now serves as the organization’s primary spring convening (replacing the former spring board meeting format).[14][15]
Annual board meetings, held in spring (the Florida Policy Forum) and fall (The Florida TaxWatch Annual Meeting), which support strategic planning and organizational governance.[15]
The State of the Taxpayer Dinner, an annual dinner event held at the beginning of the Florida Legislative Session to discuss fiscal conditions affecting Florida's taxpayers.[16]
Reception
[edit]Florida TaxWatch describes itself as an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute and government watchdog.[3] Other institutions have similarly described Florida TaxWatch as a nonprofit and nonpartisan watchdog organization.[17][18]
Notes
[edit]- ↑ "Florida TaxWatch - Ballotpedia". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
- ↑ "Florida TaxWatch > About > Leadership". Florida TaxWatch. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
- 1 2 "Florida TaxWatch > About > Staff". Florida TaxWatch. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
- ↑ "Florida TaxWatch to elect Jeff Kottkamp to follow longtime chief Dominic Calabro". Florida Politics. 2025-05-14. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
- ↑ "Florida TaxWatch > Programs > Census Institute". Florida TaxWatch. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
- ↑ "Florida TaxWatch reports Sunshine State could add 1 or 2 House seats under potential reapportionment". Florida Politics. 2025-09-04. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
- ↑ "Florida TaxWatch Analyzes Florida's Physician Shortage". Florida TaxWatch. 2024-01-11. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
- ↑ "Citizenship Institute". Florida TaxWatch. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
- ↑ "The Founding of Florida TaxWatch". www.floridataxwatch.org. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
- ↑ "Tallahassee Remembers Its Rich History During Black History Month Celebration : Visit Tallahassee". Archived from the original on 2016-03-14. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ↑ "Florida TaxWatch > Programs > Productivity Awards". Florida TaxWatch. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
- ↑ "Florida State University's Office of Institutional Research honored with 2025 TaxWatch Award for university training program". Florida State University News. 2025-10-01. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
- ↑ "Florida TaxWatch > Programs > Principal Leadership". Florida TaxWatch. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
- ↑ "Florida Policy Forum". Florida TaxWatch. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
- 1 2 "2026 Florida Policy Forum (agenda)". RegFox. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
- ↑ "State of the Taxpayer Dinner". Florida TaxWatch. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
- ↑ "FSU Institute Receives Florida TaxWatch Award". Florida State University. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
- ↑ "Report and Recommendations of the Florida TaxWatch Government Cost Savings Task Force". Harvard Kennedy School – Data-Smart City Solutions. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
