Each year, the state budget is scrutinized by watchdog groups for items they call "turkeys," and the 2014-2015 spending plan Governor Rick Scott signed into law Monday is no exception. The group Florida Tax Watch defines turkeys as "legislative projects placed in the budget without proper opportunity for public review and debate."
The new $77 billion budget is the largest in state history. It includes nearly $19 billion for public schools, $18 million for the beleaguered Department of Children and Families, and $3 billion for the state’s “rainy day” emergency fund.
Florida Tax Watch says the new spending plan also includes $120 million in turkeys. But are turkeys always bad for the budget? Economic analyst Hank Fishkind says no…even though at first glance they may appear to be.