Trump’s Budget: A Wish List for the Wealthy, A Nightmare for Florida

by Danielle Thomas, Northwest Florida Central Labor CouncilJune 5, 2017June 5, 2017

The White House official 2018 budget titled, “A New Foundation for American Greatness” reads more like a new plan to kill the American dream for working families. It includes some of the steepest budget cuts the country has ever seen. The victims of these cuts? Florida's poor, the environment, and our children.

AFL-CIO Calls Members to Action

by Josh Leclair, Volusia-Flagler AFL-CIOJanuary 13, 2017February 7, 2017

On a national conference call with Regional, State and Local union leaders and activists, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka laid out the AFL-CIO’s plan of defense against the coming attacks lead by Trump and his toxic cabinet picks.

Business • Taxes and Economy

Income Increase In Census Report Is A Boon For Small Business

by Stephen Rouzer, Main Street AllianceSeptember 15, 2016September 22, 2016

Small businesses have already begun to feel the impact on their bottom line as incomes surged to near pre-recession levels. The boost in household income is one factor in recently reported increases in consumer spending, particularly in the retail and food service sectors.

Elections • Taxes and Economy

Yes on Amendment 4

by Susan Glickman, Florida Director of Southern Alliance for Clean EnergyAugust 1, 2016August 2, 2016

A YES vote on Amendment 4 lowers solar energy costs by lowering taxes on solar installations.

Legislative • Taxes and Economy

Recurring Tax Cuts Will Reduce Investments for Years to Come

by Alan Stonecipher, Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic PolicyFebruary 18, 2016February 24, 2016

... the decisions made about tax cuts in this legislative session will impact the amount available for appropriations to meet state needs not only this year, but also future years.

Health Care • Legislative • Taxes and Economy

Paid For, Never Redeemed

by Greg Mellowe, Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic PolicyFebruary 3, 2016February 16, 2016

State Savings in Florida’s Medicaid Program Due to Floridians’ Lagging Incomes Are More Than Sufficient to Fund the Extension of Coverage to 800,000 Uninsured, Low-Income Adults.

Legislative • Taxes and Economy

Scott Budget: Tax Cuts Consume Growth Dollars, Leaving Little for Investments in State Services

by Alan Stonecipher, Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic PolicyJanuary 29, 2016February 3, 2016

Governor Rick Scott's budget proposal for the 2016-17 fiscal year is notable for one stark fact: It proposes spending more than twice as much money from general revenue growth on tax cuts than on increasing funding for vital state services.

Legislative • Taxes and Economy

Threadbare Mental Health System Exemplifies the Case Against Tax Cuts

by Greg Mellowe, Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic PolicyJanuary 20, 2016January 21, 2016

Even the relatively few who are eligible to receive services  ultimately fall into the numerous gaps in Florida’s publicly funded mental health system.

Legislative • Taxes and Economy • Templin's Take

The Great Surplus Myth – Redux

by Dr. Rich TemplinJanuary 11, 2016January 21, 2016

So how much is the surplus? $635 million? $1.3 billion? In reality…THERE IS NO SURPLUS!

Labor • Taxes and Economy

Unions: Reversing the Dyson Effect

by David R. Seamans, Vice President - AFSCME Local 1279October 8, 2015October 22, 2015

All of Florida benefits when families have the opportunity to move-up the economic ladder and attain the American Dream. That economic ladder is only as strong or as weak as the collective bargaining foundation it is built on.