Florida Taxwatch Honors Miami-Area State Employees at 28th Annual Prudential Productivity Awards

MIAMI, Fla. – Florida state employees received well-deserved and rarely given recognition at a luncheon honoring winners of Florida TaxWatch’s 2016 Prudential Productivity Awards in Miami on Wednesday. The 28th Annual awards ceremony highlights state employees who innovatively reduce costs and improve services for Florida taxpayers. The Prudential Productivity Awards is the only program where the state’s private businesses recognize and reward public employees for making state government run more efficiently.

One hundred and forty one Miami-area state employees were honored during the luncheon ceremony, sponsored by Prudential, Florida Lottery, AvMed, Capital Health Plan and Florida Power & Light, Ernst and Young among others. Sixteen individual and team award winners took home the highest honors at the ceremony, including cash awards.

“Growing up in Miami, I was able to see efforts of state employees as the city continued to grow. Thanks to the hard-work of Miami’s award-winning state employees, taxpayers are able to benefit from improved government services and cost savings,” said Dominic M. Calabro, President and CEO of Florida TaxWatch.

The program also strives to encourage state agencies to work together to replicate the savings throughout the Sunshine State. After employees receive their award, they are encouraged to work with other state agencies to implement their cost savings ideas across state government. Since 1989, thousands of individuals, teams, and partnerships have produced more than $9.2 billion worth of added value as a direct result of award winners’ achievements and the replication of those achievements.

“The commitment of these incredible public servants to work together to build a better Florida means that state government can direct taxpayers’ hard-earned money to the vital services that make the Sunshine State a great place to live and raise a family,” said Prudential Vice President of Government Affairs and TaxWatch Executive Committee Member Mike Jennings.

The program received nominations from every corner of the state with 605 total individuals and teams being honored with a 2016 Prudential Productivity Award for their achievements. Since 1988, more than 16,000 nominations have been received.

“The Florida Lottery thanks each of the award winners for their commitment to reducing costs for Florida’s hard-working taxpayers while dramatically improving the services that each Floridian depends on,” said Florida Lottery Secretary Tom Delacenserie.

“As Chairman of the judging panel, I have personally reviewed the efforts of more than 605 individuals and teams of state employees to improve the services that Floridians depend on and I commend each of the 2016 award winners for their exceptional achievement,” said Prudential Productivity Awards Judges Panel Chairman and North Highland Vice President Barbara Ray.

The program is a major government improvement initiative chaired by Florida’s Lieutenant Governor and co-sponsored by Florida TaxWatch, The Florida Council of 100, and the state of Florida. In addition to Prudential’s generous support as the title sponsor, numerous corporate, individual and philanthropic contributors supplement the awards program. Without their tremendous support, this program would not be possible.

For more on the Prudential Productivity Awards and a full list of winners, click here.

About Florida TaxWatch

As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute & government watchdog for more than one third of a century, Florida TaxWatch works to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government. Its research recommends productivity enhancements and explains the statewide impact of fiscal and economic policies and practices on citizens and businesses.

Florida TaxWatch is supported by voluntary, tax-deductible donations and private grants, and does not accept government funding. Donations provide a solid, lasting foundation that has enabled Florida TaxWatch to bring about a more effective, responsive government that is more accountable to, and productive for, the citizens it serves since 1979. For more information, please visit http://www.floridataxwatch.org.

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]