A new economic research report prepared by The Washington Economics Group, Inc. (WEG), a boutique consulting firm led by nationally recognized business economist Dr. J. Antonio Villamil, commissioned by the Alliance for Safety and Justice, a national criminal justice reform organization that works with crime survivors, estimates that the passing of Amendment 4 would result in important positive economic benefits to Florida taxpayers from two sources: reduced court and prison costs through a decline in the recidivism and increased earning power through improved employment opportunities. According to WEG estimates, if Florida Approves Amendment 4, the State will see the following economic impacts:
- $365 million in total economic impact each year
- $223 million less in annual prison court costs
- $143 million in additional annual income for felons eligible to have rights restored
- 3,800 more jobs developed, from Knowledge-Based Services jobs to Manufacturing industries
- $234 million in additional GDP
- $50 million in additional federal, state and local tax revenue
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