RLCer John Hallman, a political consultant who has directed the RLCFL's Tallahassee trek for the last several years, is wearing a new hat as president of the Florida Taxpayers Union, the new state affiliate of the National Taxpayers Union.

"The purpose of the FTU is to give Florida taxpayers an effective and organized voice in Tallahassee by educating taxpayers, the media and elected officials on the merits of lower taxes, limited government and more consumer choices," Hallman said. "The FTU will provide our members with expert policy analysis and effective grassroots lobbying tools."

In some ways, the new organization is simply a continuation of John's career as a free market activist, but the new group not only better focuses that activism but adds to his experience the substantial resources of the highly respected NTU behind him. Hallman expects the FTU to be a important tool for groups like the RLC to maneuver in Tallahassee.

The website -- which also doubles as a Florida policy blog -- is up at www.floridataxpayersunion.org and RLCers are encouraged to bookmark the page and also join the FTU. Just like the RLC, membership numbers count when we are lobbying in Tallahassee. Many, or even most, politicians care more about votes than ideas, so when presenting ideas ideological groups have to be backed up by numbers.

But Florida already has the James Madison Institute and Florida TaxWatch, so why do we need another state policy group?

"FTU fills a niche that these organizations do not," Hallman said. "The tax status of these organizations do not permit them to enter the rough and tumble of politics, but are required to stand aloof and not take stands on bills in front of the legislature. We are under no such limitations."

"Our aim is to take the work of JMI and TaxWatch as well as our own, and translate them into effective political action."