https://blog.thomas-bray.com/tags/florida/Recent content in Florida on Rabid CuriosityHugoen-usThomas BrayTue, 17 Mar 2026 11:30:00 -0500https://blog.thomas-bray.com/posts/public-finance-florida/Tue, 17 Mar 2026 11:30:00 -0500https://blog.thomas-bray.com/posts/public-finance-florida/<h2 id="floridas-growth-funded-model">Florida&rsquo;s Growth-Funded Model</h2> <p>Florida has no personal income tax and sustains itself on a combination of sales taxes, property taxes, documentary stamp taxes on real estate transactions, and the economic windfall of being one of the country&rsquo;s premier destinations for both tourism and retiree migration. The model has worked during periods of growth, and it has created fiscal vulnerabilities that become visible when growth slows.</p> <h2 id="revenue-structure">Revenue Structure</h2> <p><strong>Sales tax</strong> is the primary state revenue source at 6%, with a broad base that includes many services. Florida&rsquo;s sales tax revenues are strongly correlated with tourism and consumer spending, making them sensitive to national economic conditions and travel patterns.</p>