State lawmakers will be facing a budget surplus when they return to Tallahassee in the New Year, but a new Florida TaxWatch report could help the surplus climb even higher. The annual recommendations from the independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit public policy research group, Florida TaxWatch, would provide billions of dollars in savings if implemented by the 2015 Legislature.

The latest report includes longstanding Florida TaxWatch recommendations that have been implemented by past Legislatures, and which require additional support and oversight, and new policies that will add value to Florida taxpayers' investment in state government.

"This year, the 2015 Government Efficiency Recommendations report proposes new and innovative ways for the state to save taxpayer dollars and improve efficiency in service delivery," said John R. Alexander, Chairman of the TaxWatch Center for Government Efficiency Advisory Board. "It is crucial for Florida lawmakers to continue to implement previous recommendations that are still relevant but not yet complete, while also adopting new recommendations to improve taxpayer value."

The Center defines government efficiency as the intersection of cost avoidance, targeted investments and effective governance, three characteristics that define the recommendations included in this year's report, which could save Florida taxpayers billions of dollars.

"For 35 years, Florida TaxWatch has identified cost savings opportunities for the policymakers and taxpayers of Florida," said Robert Weissert, Chief Research Officer for Florida TaxWatch. "The TaxWatch Center for Government Efficiency is a unique opportunity to bring together the brightest minds with both government experience and private sector leadership to produce cost savings recommendations and increase quality of life for Florida taxpayers."

State pension reform, facility management, revenue maximization, procurement, justice reform, fraud reduction and tax compliance are all policy areas reflected in the recommendations.

» Read the recommendations here.

» See statement from Chairman John Alexander here.

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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.