Florida taxpayers could see more than a billion dollars in savings if state leaders act on six recommendations made by a government watchdog group.
A report from Florida TaxWatch recommends changes in state worker pensions that would make benefits more like those in the private sector. The change includes getting state workers to contribute more of their own money to their retirement. It also says the state should start collecting sales tax from online purchases.
But TaxWatch's John Alexander says the most urgent change may be replacing the state’s antiquated accounting system.“It’s 30 years old, has a language – an IT language - that no one knows anymore", Alexander explained. "And we’re being faced with state employees who’ve worked in it all their lives – for 30 years – and they’re about to retire.”
Another key recommendation would put most nonviolent offenders into diversion programs instead of prison. Lawmakers could act on the recommendations during the annual legislative session next spring.