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Florida TaxWatch Report
Lawmakers to tackle more than healthcare during special session
Lawmakers return to Tallahassee next week to finish budget negotiations, but the state's government watchdog group, Florida TaxWatch, says the Legislature will have to resolve more than differences in healthcare spending. The latest Budget Watch from the nonpartisan, nonprofit research institute Florida TaxWatch outlines the scope of the Special Session, noting that lawmakers will also consider conforming bills ranging from transportation networks to child welfare agencies.
"Healthcare expansion is certainly the biggest obstacle delaying a state budget, but lawmakers also have to iron out many other differences in the multi-billion dollar House and Senate budget proposals," said Kurt Wenner, Vice President of Research for Florida TaxWatch. "Compromises will be made and the final resolution for goals including per-student funding, tax relief and health care spending is still uncertain."
The Budget Watch analyzes the different bills to be deliberated during the Special Session, including the appropriations, implementing and conforming bills. Several unrelated healthcare bills, including a proposal to authorize prescription powers to Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs), will also be considered during the Special Session. Florida TaxWatch research has shown significant taxpayer savings can be achieved by enabling ARNPs and PAs to practice to the fullest extent of their professional training, including by prescribing medications.
"While many good public policy initiatives did not cross the finish line during the Legislative Session, lawmakers have a chance to create a responsible, transparent budget that meets the need of Floridians, and makes smart investments in the future of our state," said Dominic M. Calabro, President and CEO of Florida TaxWatch. "As lawmakers carefully determine how to best spend Florida taxpayers' hard-earned money, we hope that they will uphold their commitment to sufficiently review and deliberate all appropriations."
Find out what you need to know for the 2015 Special Session with Florida TaxWatch's Budget Watch for May 2015.
Florida TaxWatch is a statewide, non-profit, non-partisan research institute that over its 33-year history has become widely recognized as the watchdog of citizens' hard-earned tax dollars. Its mission is to provide the citizens of Florida and public officials with high quality, independent research and education on government revenues, expenditures, taxation, public policies and programs and to increase the productivity and accountability of Florida state and local government. Its support comes from homeowners and retirees, small and large businesses, philanthropic foundations, and professional associations. On the web at www.FloridaTaxWatch.org.