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. Since January 2026, the organization has been led by President and CEO The Honorable Jeff Kottkamp, FloridaâÂÂs 17th Lieutenant Governor.
Florida TaxWatch operates two research institutes:
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 3âÂÂ4 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 FloridaâÂÂs 40th Governor, Bob Martinez. With a class size limited to 15âÂÂ20 participants, the institute emphasizes practical government interaction and policy impact, differing from conventional leadership programs.
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.
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.
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. Some recent examples as of 2026 include:
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.
The Principal Leadership Awards, which honors outstanding Florida principals in high-risk KâÂÂ12 public schools who have achieved significant learning gains for at-risk students.
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 organizationâÂÂs primary spring convening (replacing the former spring board meeting format).
Annual board meetings, held in spring (the Florida Policy Forum) and fall (The Florida TaxWatch Annual Meeting), which support strategic planning and organizational governance.
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.
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Florida TaxWatch describes itself as an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute and government watchdog. Other institutions have similarly described Florida TaxWatch as a nonprofit and nonpartisan watchdog organization.