Bay Area Turkey List from Florida Tax Watch.

"Political might does not make right in a constitutional democratic republic," TaxWatch President Dominic Calabro said at a news conference, where he was accompanied by the group's traditional stuffed turkey.

Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, was not pleased to hear that TaxWatch had targeted his $7.5 million budget request to attract new companies and otherwise boost economic development in Pasco County.


The Legislature carved out $9.4-million for Pasco County that might as well come with dressing and gravy, according to Florida Tax Watch's list of unjustified budget "turkeys" released Tuesday.

Florida Tax Watch
# Hillsborough County: Easter Seals Multiple Disabilities Education (Tampa) - $150,000
# Florida Aquarium Summit on Math & Science - $200,000
# Florida Autism Education Center of Excellence - $700,000
# Leadership through Education - $10,000
# USF After School Project - $50,000
# 108 School and Instructional Enhancements Virtual Video Interview System - $125,000
# Community Mental Health Serv. Family Emergency Treatment Center (FETC) - $100,000
# Community Subs. Abuse Serv. DACCO Residential Beds - $50,000 Note: not recommending a veto, but a qualitative review by the governor
# Legislative Initiatives to Reduce/Prevent Juvenile Crime (+SPiN) Program - $400,000
# Legislative Initiatives to Reduce/Prevent Juvenile Crime Youth Enterprise Experience - $400,000
# Water Projects Plant City Trapnell/Mud Lake Road Looped Waterline Extension - $200,000
# Preliminary Engineering Consultants Interchange: Suncoast Parkway at Lutz Fern Road - $975,000
# Pedestrian Bridge-Bullard Parkway - $1 million
# Pedestrian Safety Improve/Streetscaping/Temple Terrace - $1,000,000
# Children's Heart Center at St Joseph's - $100,000
# Local Emergency Management Facilities: Brandon Community Advantage Center - $250,000
# Local Parks Urban Forest Park Phase I Development - $350,000
# Centro Astruriano Mutual Aid Society - $350,000
# Improvements and Renovations to State Courthouse Facilities - $1,000,000
# University of Tampa Forensic Science Program - $200,000

# Pasco County: Pasco County Economic Development - $7.5 million
# Pack Summer Camp - $50,000 Note: not recommending a veto, but a qualitative review by the governor
# Recreation Center Development, New Port Richey - $1 million
# Regional Hurricane Shelter/Clinic, New Port Richey - $750,000
# Connections Job Development Program - $100,000
# Multi-County Regional Workforce Boards Passport to Economic Progress - $2 million

- Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota
# Legislative Initiatives to Reduce/Prevent Juvenile Crime Smart Moves - $100,000
-Hillsborough, Pasco
# Legislative Initiatives to Reduce/Prevent Juvenile Crime Arts for All - $50,000 - Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas
# Community Treatment for Mentally Ill Ex-Offenders - $650,000 -

Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas
# The Salvation Army Children's Village - $50,000 -
Hillsborough, Pinellas Legislative Initiatives to Reduce/Prevent Juvenile Crime Entrepreneurial & Business Leadership Program - $300,000 -

Source: Florida Tax Watch