added Franklin ties
←Older revision
Revision as of 12:44, 4 April 2013
Line 1:
Line 1:
−
{{#badges:AEX}}
+
{{#badges:AEX
|SPN
}}
The '''Foundation for Government Accountability''' (FGA) is a state-level conservative policy think tank based in Naples, Florida. It is run by former Maine legislator [[Tarren Bragdon]] and is affiliated with the [[State Policy Network]]. The FGA develops and promotes free market public policies that, according to the FGA website, “achieve limited, constitutional government and a robust economy that will be an engine for job creation across [Florida].” The FGA “believes personal liberty and private enterprise are key to our economic future.” Bragdon launched the website FloridaOpenGov.org as part of the Foundation for Government Accountability.
The '''Foundation for Government Accountability''' (FGA) is a state-level conservative policy think tank based in Naples, Florida. It is run by former Maine legislator [[Tarren Bragdon]] and is affiliated with the [[State Policy Network]]. The FGA develops and promotes free market public policies that, according to the FGA website, “achieve limited, constitutional government and a robust economy that will be an engine for job creation across [Florida].” The FGA “believes personal liberty and private enterprise are key to our economic future.” Bragdon launched the website FloridaOpenGov.org as part of the Foundation for Government Accountability.
==Funding==
==Funding==
−
The FGA is a 501
c3
tax-exempt organization and does not disclose the source of its funding. Bragdon has previously said that ”initial donors who were interested in having [him] here” in Florida were responsible for his move to the state.
Ashley Lopez, [http://washingtonindependent.com/116963/right-wing-think-tank-leaks-salaries-of-florida-public-employees-via-new-website Right-Wing Think Tank leaks salaries of public employees via new website], [http://www.washingtonindependent.com Washington Independent], January 9, 2012
+
The FGA is a 501
(c)(3)
tax-exempt organization and does not disclose the source of its funding. Bragdon has previously said that ”initial donors who were interested in having [him] here” in Florida were responsible for his move to the state.
Ashley Lopez, [http://washingtonindependent.com/116963/right-wing-think-tank-leaks-salaries-of-florida-public-employees-via-new-website Right-Wing Think Tank leaks salaries of public employees via new website], [http://www.washingtonindependent.com Washington Independent], January 9, 2012
+
+
===Ties to the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity===
+
{{Template:Franklin Ties}}
==Florida Welfare Drug Testing Controversy==
==Florida Welfare Drug Testing Controversy==
−
A study funded and written by the organization contributed to Florida Governor [[Rick Scott]]'s defense of his controversial welfare drug-testing law, requiring benefit recipients to take a drug test as a qualification for benefits. The law came under fire from the ACLU and other groups, and a Bush-appointed federal judge threw out the Foundation's study as evidence, claiming it was "not competent expert opinion" and that "even a cursory review of certain assumptions in the pamphlet undermines its conclusions."
Ashley Lopez [http://floridaindependent.com/55136/tarren-bragdon-foundation-for-government-accountability New ‘free market’ think tank sets its sights on 2012 legislative session] Florida Independent, November 2 2011.
+
A study funded and written by the organization contributed to Florida Governor [[Rick Scott]]'s defense of his controversial welfare drug-testing law, requiring benefit recipients to take a drug test as a qualification for benefits. The law came under fire from the ACLU and other groups, and a Bush-appointed federal judge threw out the Foundation's study as evidence, claiming it was "not competent expert opinion" and that "even a cursory review of certain assumptions in the pamphlet undermines its conclusions."
Ashley Lopez
,
[http://floridaindependent.com/55136/tarren-bragdon-foundation-for-government-accountability New ‘free market’ think tank sets its sights on 2012 legislative session] Florida Independent, November 2 2011.
==The Three Main Goals of the FGA==
==The Three Main Goals of the FGA==
Line 19:
Line 22:
In January 2012 FGA Chief Executive Officer, [[Tarren Bragdon]], created and launched the website FloridaOpenGov.org. The website is an online database of the salaries of Florida’s public employees and is almost a replica of a project by Bragdon at his last place of employment, the [[Maine Heritage Policy Center]].
Ashley Lopez, [http://washingtonindependent.com/116963/right-wing-think-tank-leaks-salaries-of-florida-public-employees-via-new-website Right-Wing Think Tank leaks salaries of public employees via new website], [http://www.washingtonindependent.com Washington Independent], January 9, 2012
In January 2012 FGA Chief Executive Officer, [[Tarren Bragdon]], created and launched the website FloridaOpenGov.org. The website is an online database of the salaries of Florida’s public employees and is almost a replica of a project by Bragdon at his last place of employment, the [[Maine Heritage Policy Center]].
Ashley Lopez, [http://washingtonindependent.com/116963/right-wing-think-tank-leaks-salaries-of-florida-public-employees-via-new-website Right-Wing Think Tank leaks salaries of public employees via new website], [http://www.washingtonindependent.com Washington Independent], January 9, 2012
−
The website is a compilation of “about 35 million public records detailing nearly $1.4 trillion in spending and payroll by state, county, municipality and school.”
CHRIS CINQUEMANI
, [http://www.floridafga.org/2012/01/release-nearly-1-4-trillion-in-government-spending-data-now-just-a-few-clicks-away/ Release: Nearly $1.4 Trillion in Government Spending Data Now Just a Few Clicks Away], [http://www.floridaga.org Foundation for Government Accountability], January 9, 2012
+
The website is a compilation of “about 35 million public records detailing nearly $1.4 trillion in spending and payroll by state, county, municipality and school.”
Chris Cinquemani
, [http://www.floridafga.org/2012/01/release-nearly-1-4-trillion-in-government-spending-data-now-just-a-few-clicks-away/ Release: Nearly $1.4 Trillion in Government Spending Data Now Just a Few Clicks Away], [http://www.floridaga.org Foundation for Government Accountability], January 9, 2012
−
According to an FGA Press Release
CHRIS CINQUEMANI
, [http://www.floridafga.org/2012/01/release-nearly-1-4-trillion-in-government-spending-data-now-just-a-few-clicks-away/ Release: Nearly $1.4 Trillion in Government Spending Data Now Just a Few Clicks Away], [http://www.floridaga.org Foundation for Government Accountability], January 9, 2012
, Data will include:
+
According to an FGA Press Release
Chris Cinquemani
, [http://www.floridafga.org/2012/01/release-nearly-1-4-trillion-in-government-spending-data-now-just-a-few-clicks-away/ Release: Nearly $1.4 Trillion in Government Spending Data Now Just a Few Clicks Away], [http://www.floridaga.org Foundation for Government Accountability], January 9, 2012
, Data will include:
*County government payroll (FY 1997-2011)
*County government payroll (FY 1997-2011)
*Local K-12 public education payroll (FY 1997-2011)
*Local K-12 public education payroll (FY 1997-2011)
Line 29:
Line 32:
==Ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council==
==Ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council==
−
The FGA has close ties to the [[American Legislative Exchange Council]] (ALEC), especially through the ALEC [[Health and Human Services Task Force]]. In 2011, CEO [[Tarren Bragdon]] presented to the task force at ALEC’s 2011 States and Nation Policy Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona.
[http://www.floridafga.org/2011/12/release-think-tank-featured-at-alec-health-and-human-services-task-force/ "Release: Think Tank Featured at ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force"], organizational website, accessed December 2012
Bragdon touted the state’s controversial Medicaid reform plans and Florida’s welfare drug testing law during the event.
Ashley Lopez, [http://floridaindependent.com/59533/tarren-bragdon-foundation-for-government-accountability-alec "New right-wing think tank touts
Medicade
reform and welfare drug testing at ALEC event"], [http://www.floridaindependent.com Florida Independent], January 6, 2012
+
The FGA has close ties to the [[American Legislative Exchange Council]] (ALEC), especially through the ALEC [[Health and Human Services Task Force]]. In 2011, CEO [[Tarren Bragdon]] presented to the task force at ALEC’s 2011 States and Nation Policy Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona.
[http://www.floridafga.org/2011/12/release-think-tank-featured-at-alec-health-and-human-services-task-force/ "Release: Think Tank Featured at ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force"], organizational website, accessed December 2012
Bragdon touted the state’s controversial Medicaid reform plans and Florida’s welfare drug testing law during the event.
Ashley Lopez, [http://floridaindependent.com/59533/tarren-bragdon-foundation-for-government-accountability-alec "New right-wing think tank touts
Medicaid
reform and welfare drug testing at ALEC event"], [http://www.floridaindependent.com Florida Independent], January 6, 2012
The former director of ALEC [[Health and Human Services Task Force]], [[Christie Herrera]], is FGA's vice president of policy.
Foundation for Government Accountability, [http://www.floridafga.org/staff/ "Staff"], organizational website, accessed December 2012
.
The former director of ALEC [[Health and Human Services Task Force]], [[Christie Herrera]], is FGA's vice president of policy.
Foundation for Government Accountability, [http://www.floridafga.org/staff/ "Staff"], organizational website, accessed December 2012
.
The Foundation for Government Accountability has also become involved in the [[Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force]]. At the 2012 States and Nation Policy Summit, FGA staff member, Joyce Errecart, presented "Tangible Personal Property Business Taxes."
American Legislative Exchange Council, Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force, meeting agenda and materials, November 29, 2012, on file with CMD
The Foundation for Government Accountability has also become involved in the [[Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force]]. At the 2012 States and Nation Policy Summit, FGA staff member, Joyce Errecart, presented "Tangible Personal Property Business Taxes."
American Legislative Exchange Council, Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force, meeting agenda and materials, November 29, 2012, on file with CMD
+
+
Please see [[SPN Ties to ALEC]] for more.
{{about_ALEC}}
{{about_ALEC}}
Line 50:
Line 55:
===State Policy Network===
===State Policy Network===
−
The Foundation is also registered with the [[State Policy Network]], a group of right-wing think tanks across the country. Mother Jones writes of the State Policy Network: "Its mission is simple: to back a constellation of state-level think tanks loosely modeled after Heritage that promote free-market principles and rail against unions, regulation, and tax increases. By blasting out policy recommendations and shaping lawmakers’ positions through briefings and private meetings, these think tanks cultivate cozy relationships with GOP politicians. And there’s a long tradition of revolving door relationships between SPN staffers and state governments. While they bill themselves as independent think tanks, SPN’s members frequently gather to swap ideas."
+
The Foundation is also registered with the [[State Policy Network]], a group of right-wing think tanks across the country.
''
Mother Jones
''
writes of the State Policy Network: "Its mission is simple: to back a constellation of state-level think tanks loosely modeled after Heritage that promote free-market principles and rail against unions, regulation, and tax increases. By blasting out policy recommendations and shaping lawmakers’ positions through briefings and private meetings, these think tanks cultivate cozy relationships with GOP politicians. And there’s a long tradition of revolving door relationships between SPN staffers and state governments. While they bill themselves as independent think tanks, SPN’s members frequently gather to swap ideas."
==Staff==
==Staff==
Line 70:
Line 75:
FAX: 239.217.4397
FAX: 239.217.4397
E-MAIL: info@floridafga.org
E-MAIL: info@floridafga.org
+
+
==Articles and Resources==
+
+
===Related SourceWatch Articles===
+
+
{{Template:SPN SW}}
+
+
===Related PRWatch Articles===
+
+
{{Template:SPN PRW}}
+
+
===External Resources===
+
+
{{Template: SPN Ex}}
==References==
==References==
[[Category:Think tanks]]
[[Category:Think tanks]]