Although the Flat Tax and the FAIRtax share some important similarities they also have many important differences. They are both flat rate taxes that are neutral with respect to savings and investments. However, the flat tax retains the invasive income tax administration apparatus (known as the IRS ) and can easily revert to a graduated, convoluted mess as it has many times in the past. Few people truly understand the flat tax. It’s authors will tell you it is a consumption tax that uses the income tax system for implementation.

Any politician that claims the flat tax will eliminate the IRS is not telling the truth. Only a government bureaucrat could come up with the idea of a consumption tax being regulated by the IRS when you can simply have a retail sales tax (the FAIRtax) that reduces the bureaucracy by 90% or more. In addition, a large part of the tax burden of the flat tax (the business tax) remains hidden in the price of goods and services. The FAIRtax eliminates that hidden cost. Individuals would still need to file income tax returns under the flat tax and, while the form may be simplified, it still requires burdensome record keeping. Under the FAIRtax, individuals never file a tax return. When you pay at the cash register, your tax obligation is over. Under the flat tax, the payroll taxes, which are the most regressive of taxes on the working family, would be retained. Continue reading →

Dear Friends,

As we prepare for the next legislative session, allow us to take the time to remind you to stay prepared during hurricane season. Stretching from June 1^st to November 30^th, we still have three long months until we’re in the clear. During last session, the Florida Legislature passed two separate two-week Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holidays to help Florida citizens prepare for the coming stormy weather. The first sales tax holiday was between May 27^th and June 9^th. Don’t worry, if you forgot to take advantage of the first Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday, there is another one from August 26^th to September 8^th. Hurricane season is well underway but there’s still time to stock up on all the supplies you’ll need! Continue reading →

~ Scholarships provide high-quality options for thousands of Florida students ~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that nearly 430,000 applications have been received from students for a scholarship under the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship and the Family Empowerment Scholarship. Out of the historic number of applications, over 407,000 students have already been awarded a scholarship with more applications moving through the approval process. This year, Governor DeSantis signed House Bill 1 which expanded school choice for Florida students and families, allowing more families to choose the educational setting that best fits their child’s needs. Today’s participation numbers represent a monumental increase over last year’s enrollment of nearly 250,000 students in the scholarship programs.

“With our historic move to universal school choice, families in record numbers are choosing the best educational options for their children,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I am proud of the work we have done so far, but we’re far from done—we will continue to empower parents and expand opportunities so that our students receive the best possible education.” Continue reading →

This week, we issued a Consumer Alert warning Floridians who wish to give funds to those affected by the Maui wildfires of the potential for charity scams. The devastation caused by this disaster in Hawaii is heartbreaking—claiming more than 100 deaths and burning thousands of acres across the island of Maui. The residents in the affected areas have endured tragic losses and many Floridians may wish to donate to aid organizations.

However, scammers may try to exploit the tragedy to take advantage of generous donors.

Anyone wishing to donate to victims of the wildfires, or charities providing aid, should be on guard against scammers looking to exploit the disaster for personal gain.

Tips to avoid charity scams in the wake of a disaster include: Continue reading →

Costa Rica went its own way: without an army, but with investments in education and health, a sustainable economy and an open society, Costa Rica became a model state in Latin America.

Costa Rica is one of the most prosperous, peaceful and sustainable countries in Latin America. Although the Central American country is located in one of the most insecure and unstable regions of the world, the small country has managed to protect its peace and democracy. At the same time, the Ticos (the common name for people from Costa Rica) have made it prosperous. The country has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. All this despite the fact that before independence, Costa Rica was one of the most insignificant and underdeveloped parts of the Spanish colonial empire.

But how did the small Central American country manage to develop so much? And what can other countries learn from Costa Rica? Here are three of the most important points.

Schoolbooks instead of Firearms

Costa Rica won its independence without violence in 1821. However, the country was not spared conflicts thereafter. Repeated wars and civil wars broke out. For example, the American William Walker tried to conquer all of Central America and establish a slave state there under the influence of the USA. Under the leadership of Costa Rica, however, the states of Central America were able to defeat William Walker. Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced results from the successful first year of strike force efforts to interdict human smuggling and trafficking and the seizure of illegal weapons and illicit narcotics transported through the state. Over the last year, strike force interdiction efforts have resulted in thousands of felony charges, more than 40 human smuggling charges, over 150 drug charges and the seizure of $2.7 million worth of illicit drugs.

“The Biden administration is asleep at the wheel, and Florida will not sit idly by while drugs continue to pour across the open southern border and into our communities,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “The overwhelming success of our interdiction strike force serves as a blueprint for states across the nation to uphold the rule of law and protect their communities from the Biden Border Crisis.” Continue reading →

2023 season now totals 87 days, the longest combined season since the state assumed management of Gulf red snapper

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced Florida is extending the already record 2023 recreational Gulf red snapper season by 17 days, adding every Friday through Sunday in September, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving Day to the previously announced season. The 2023 season now totals 87 days, the longest combined season since the state assumed management of red snapper.

Those fishing from private recreational vessels in state and federal waters in the Gulf, and charter vessels without a federal reef fish permit that are limited to fishing in state waters, will be able to participate in the 2023 Gulf red snapper season. Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced $6.9 million in awards through the Florida Disaster Fund to support continued Hurricane Ian recovery efforts in Southwest Florida. These funds have been awarded to support efforts on the ground and ensure that the impacted communities have ample resources to support the long-term recovery efforts. With today’s awards, the Florida Disaster Fund has awarded all $63.2 million in committed and received funds raised to help Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian.

“When Hurricane Ian struck Florida, the First Lady and I made a promise that we would be with the people of Florida every step of the way,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Just under a year after the storm, I am happy to be awarding these funds to continue helping Southwest Florida in the recovery process. The Florida Disaster Fund has helped to cut through red tape and get money quickly into the hands of those who need it most. We’ve worked hard to raise more money than ever before and to disburse those funds faster than with any other storm.” Continue reading →

GAINESVILLE, FL — Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL-03) and Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06) announced the introduction of a bipartisan bill to support aquaculture and seafood industries. The Supporting Equity for Aquaculture and Seafood (SEAS) Act reforms federal agricultural policy to ensure these industries receive equal treatment within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The bill requires the USDA Secretary to give the same consideration to aquaculture producers as animal agriculture producers and ensure adequate and fair funding levels are made available to aquaculture producers through grants under USDA programs. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-At Large) are original co-sponsors of the bill. Continue reading →