Innovative state workers are the unsung heroes of Florida | Opinion

Ask the average Floridian, “Who conducts the business of state government?” and they will likely respond by naming the governor, maybe a cabinet member, or perhaps even their state senator or representative.

Sure, the media cover these public figures every day, but the real answer is the thousands of government employees — many of whom have served the state for decades — working tirelessly every day on our behalf.

Typically, Floridians only hear about a government employee when something has gone awry at a state agency. This is unfortunate given that the vast majority are selfless individuals who often make personal sacrifices to better our state and the lives of its residents, including teachers, law-enforcement officers, firefighters and state park service employees, to name a few.

“State worker” may not be the most esteemed title to some, and tasks like distributing benefits, processing permits and rooting out cases of fraud are probably not considered glamorous. But without state workers, there is no Florida.

As a trusted government watchdog and the eyes and ears of Florida taxpayers for more than 40 years, Florida TaxWatch understands this better than most. That is why, for the past 34 years, we have recognized the most efficient state workers through the Florida TaxWatch Productivity Awards program, chaired by Florida’s lieutenant governor and co-sponsored by the state of Florida and the Florida Council of 100.

In keeping with the dedication of presenting sponsor Kyra Solutions, Inc. — as well as the late J.E. Davis and A.D. Davis, co-founders of Winn-Dixie Stores Inc., and a few of the great minds that founded Florida TaxWatch — Productivity Award winners must embody innovation and be stewards of their fellow Floridians’ hard-earned tax dollars. While state workers and private citizens can submit nominations, the most important criteria is that those nominated demonstrate their ability to serve as role models, or inspiration, for their peers.

Billions in savings

In fact, Florida TaxWatch Productivity Award winners are encouraged to work with other state agencies to implement their cost-savings ideas. Since 1989, thousands of individuals, partnerships, teams and work units have produced nearly $11 billion worth of savings and streamlined processes as a direct result of winners’ achievements and their replication across government.

In some cases, winners are literally saving lives. Dan Smith and Hossam Abdel, winners in 2020 from South Florida, proposed a way to detect and communicate Wrong Way Driving (WWD) incidents with first responders. Capitalizing on existing detection devices located along the District Four Freeway System, they expanded the functionality of the already existing Motor Vehicle Data System to provide a WWD detection software system along the mainline, which provides notification to transportation management center operators and designated groups, assisting in the prevention of possible crashes. Their solution has not only saved countless lives, but it also saved the Department of Transportation $4.2 million.

Florida TaxWatch is grateful for the collective efforts of the scores of Productivity Award winners that have brought about real, lasting change over the years. In the coming weeks, we will proudly bestow an additional 160 awards on individual state workers and teams — many from the Miami area — rewarding them for their dedication to their jobs, colleagues and the success of the Sunshine State.

Too often, state workers go unnoticed. But without them, critical functions of government would certainly fail, and we would all pay the price. Be it through the Florida TaxWatch Productivity Awards or a simple “Thank you,” we need to make an effort to let them know they are seen and, most important, they are valued.

Dominic M. Calabro has led Florida TaxWatch’s research team, the “eyes and ears” of taxpayers, as president and CEO for nearly all of the organization’s 40+-year existence.

This story was originally published September 7, 2022 at 2:49 PM.