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Studio 67FAC News Clips – March 26, 2026
COUNTY
Levy Citizen
Levy County honors employees for years of service
BRONSON — The Levy County Board of County Commissioners recognized employees for milestone years of service during its March 17, 2026, meeting.
WFSU
Local elected leaders urge state agencies to help solve a water pollution problem
Leaders from the city and county have sent a joint letter to two state agencies, urging action after scientists found so called forever chemicals in several private wells South of Tallahassee.
St. Pete Catalyst
County approves tourism arts program with revised funding structure
Pinellas County Commission approved a $500,000 funding agreement for a Creative Tourism Arts Program, with an amendment to the initial proposal that centers on how the funding will be dispersed.
St. John Citizen
St. Johns County Commissioners agreed Tuesday to send a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis urging him to veto a state bill that would limit local say over development decisions.
PROPERTY TAXES
WBPF
From property taxes to Cuba, Gov. Ron DeSantis answers questions during visit to local university
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke at Palm Beach Atlantic University Wednesday evening, addressing topics such as affordability, property taxes, Cuba, and political challenges facing Republicans.
Florida Politics
The proposal still isn’t ‘ripe’ yet, and he’s still floating new trial balloons.
HOUSING
Citrus County Chronicle
State changes to Live Local Act could limit Citrus County control
I wanted to share a major development out of Tallahassee that hasn’t fully hit the radar yet but has real implications for Citrus County and similar markets.
LEGISLATION
Florida Today
(HEADLINE CORRECTION FROM YESTERDAY’S CLIPS)
New law: Local governments CANT ban gas-powered leaf blowers
Annoyed yet by all those loud, noxious gas-powered leaf blowers revving up to clear the dead-leaf fallout from February’s cold snap?
WMNF
Florida Bills Raise Questions on Environment and Local Control
Recent Florida legislation is igniting statewide debate on the future of the environment, local government control, and the voices of ordinary Floridians.
FAC News Clips – March 25, 2026
COUNTY
Citrus County Chronicle
Citrus weighing options for land conservation
At a recent Citrus County Commission meeting, three options were discussed for preserving and enhancing our quality of life through our public lands.
WFLA
Hernando Commission considers ban on no-cash businesses
HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Hernando County Commissioners discussed an ordinance Tuesday that would require businesses that don’t accept cash payments to start taking cash.
Wear TV
Okaloosa County votes to ban red light and speed cameras on county roads
OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — Okaloosa County commissioners passed a resolution, banning any red light or speed detection cameras from being installed on county roads.
DOGE
WFLA
CFO claims Citrus County overtaxed residents by $39 million
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Over the past year, the state’s Chief Financial Officer, Blaise Ingoglia, has been actively auditing local government spending, shining a spotlight on cities and counties for what he says is “overtaxing” Floridians.
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Politics
Byron Donalds says if Ron DeSantis can’t get property taxes repealed, he’ll finish the job
‘If they’re not able to get anything done, we’re going to pick the ball up Day 1 as Governor.’
Tampa Bay Times
Florida real estate listings shouldn’t mislead about property taxes
A local property appraiser explains why and what’s being done about it.
Florida Politics
Gov. DeSantis trying to figure out ‘timing’ of property tax phaseout
How soon can it take effect? It’s an open question even for the man who wants to make it happen.
LEGISLATION
WTSP
Expansion of the Live Local Act could open more land for affordable housing
Religious or school properties may qualify for development under certain conditions.
Naples Daily News
With clock ticking, Florida lawmakers face budget deadline
To borrow from an old song, Florida’s legislative leadership is dancing in the dark, unseen by the public as they negotiate differences in a proposed state budget for 2026-27.
Jax Today
St. Johns County wants governor to veto development bill
St. Johns County Commissioners will send a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis asking that he veto a bill commissioners say will tie their hands on some development decisions.
Florida Today
New law: Local governments can ban gas-powered leaf blowers
Annoyed yet by all those loud, noxious gas-powered leaf blowers revving up to clear the dead-leaf fallout from February’s cold snap?
FAC News Clips – March 19, 2026
COUNTY
The Apopka Voice
Orange County Program helps residents protect springs and save on septic repairs
The initiative offers up to $10,000 to replace aging systems and reduce nitrogen pollution in Wekiwa and Rock Springs
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Insurance Journal
Florida Lawmakers Vote to Drop Building Permits on Projects of $7,500 or Less
Legislation that would have waived building permits for jobs valued at up to $7,500 failed to pass the Florida House this year, but the key clause found its way into another bill that is now awaiting the governor’s signature.
Florida Politics
Gov. Ron DeSantis receives sweeping land-use bill curbing local control
Proponents of the measure say easing zoning could boost housing supply, while critics warn it sidelines residents and weakens planning protections.
LEGISLATION
Political Cortadito
Miami-Dade commissioners vote to urge Ron DeSantis to veto anti-DEI bill
Miami-Dade County commissioners did something Tuesday that felt equal parts principled stand and political performance art: they formally urged Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto Senate Bill 1134
Orlando Sentinel
Commentary: Left undone in Tallahassee, but it’s no big deal
Step by step, session by session, Florida looks as if it’s inching toward a full-time Legislature.
Florida Politics
Harvest time: Governor receives Florida Farm Bill
The sweeping legislation represents priorities of Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.
WPTV
Not dead yet: AI protections bill may return as lawmakers eye special sessions
Future of Florida’s AI ‘Bill of Rights’ hinges on whether state leaders decide to bring it back—and whether opposition in the House softens enough to let it pass
FAC News Clips – March 18, 2026
COUNTY
Wink News
Flood-prone South Lee County to get $1.3M canal upgrade for relief
LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — Lee County commissioners approved $1.3 million to replace an aging weir near Page Field, a step toward ending chronic flooding near the Ten Mile Canal.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Florida Politics
Miami Beach to weigh lawsuit against state over pre-emption bill curbing local land-use authority
The legislation is part of a broader effort by state leaders to curb what they see as overly restrictive local zoning policies.
WFLA
Hurricane ‘fix-it’ bill fails to pass despite bipartisan backing
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Lawmakers ended session just days ago, and one of the most anticipated bills never made it across the finish line, despite bipartisan support.
LEGISLATION
Florida Bar
Several court-related bills pass as session ends without budget deal
Many court-related bills made it to the finish line — a few didn’t — before a stalemate forced the Legislature last week to adjourn another 60-day regular session without reaching a budget agreement.
The Answer Tampa
Financial transparency increasing for local governments
(The Center Square) – Florida taxpayers will have increased access to see how local governments are spending their money under a bill passed by the Legislature during the regular session’s final week.
FAC News Clips – March 17, 2026
STATE
Tallahassee Reports
FEMA Lifts Environmental Hold on $608M Grant for ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ ‘Deportation Depot’
Florida is finally eligible for a $608 million federal grant to help pay for the state’s migrant lockups after the Trump administration lifted an environmental funding hold that had stalled the dollars for months.
PARTNERS
Business Wire
First-of-its-Kind Collaboration Will Use Comcast’s Nationwide, Highly Distributed Network to Test Real-Time Edge AI Applications Running Milliseconds from Customers
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Seeking Rent
The Florida Legislature made a mess. The Florida House refused to clean it up.
On the very first day of this year’s legislative session — just a few hours after lawmakers had gaveled open and the governor had delivered his annual State of the State address — the Florida Senate went to work trying to clean up a statewide mess.
Insurance Journal
Florida Brownfield Development Bill Raising Concerns About Coverage, Litigation
Amid the last-minute scramble to move legislation before the non-budgetary session was set to end last week, Florida lawmakers quietly approved a bill that could open up more contaminated “brownfield” areas in south Florida to housing development.
Florida Politics
Lawmakers, advocates battle in late showdown over Orange and Seminole rural boundaries
A fight over rural boundaries in Central Florida led to an 11th-hour amendment and a tense exchange on the Senate floor.
LEGISLATION
WPTV
Property tax reform stalls in Tallahassee, but fight isn’t over
Debate has revealed sharp differences within the Republican supermajority that controls state government
Tallahassee Reports
Here’s What Happened To Ten Key 2026 Session Issues
Florida lawmakers put forward just under 2,000 bills and resolutions as they entered the 2026 legislative session.
Florida Politics
Blaise Ingoglia praises lawmakers for approving bills he backed to control local spending
‘I have made it my mission to provide real transparency into local governments’ spending.’
FAC News Clips – March 13, 2026
COUNTY
Citrus County Chronicle
Board pushes for workforce housing clarity
After a lengthy discussion about workforce housing, Citrus County commissioners this week reached a consensus to study the issue further and return at a future meeting with a clearer approach — including possible ways to hold developers accountable for providing it.
My News 13
FEMA awards Osceola County $13 million to prepare for storms
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Osceola County has received $13 million in Federal Emergency Management Administration grants to improve drainage and multiple intersections to help reduce the amount of damage during hurricanes and other tropical storms, U.S. Rep Darren Soto (D-District 9) and District 2 County Commissioner Viviana Janer announced Thursday.
PROPERTY TAXES
Click Orlando
Is Florida’s property tax cut proposal dead? Here’s what to know
Florida Legislative session adjourns on Friday, March 13
Miami Herald
How does Miami-Dade County spend your property taxes?
If Florida voters approve big cuts in property taxes, that would mean a sharp drop in revenue that Miami-Dade counts on to fund public safety, transportation and the county hospital system.
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
Legislature settles on increase to sovereign immunity caps
The House concurred with Senate desires to boost limits to $350K per individual and $500K per incident.
Click Orlando
Florida legislature ends session without budget; special session looms
$1.4 billion gap remains between House and Senate budget proposals
TC Palm
Florida bill allows Blue Ribbon developers to avoid local land-use rules
Once the Florida Department of Commerce approves a “Blue Ribbon Project,” local governments have little say in the development.
Citrus County Chronicle
Ban on local government ‘net-zero’ policies clears Legislature on final vote
The Florida Senate has voted final approval of an amended tax bill (HB 1217) to ban local governments in Florida from using net-zero policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions — the primary driver of climate change.
Florida Politics
House undoes Senate changes to Live Local Act update, sends amended bill back across rotunda
Lawmakers have amended the Live Local Act twice since its 2023 passage as they continue refining Florida’s flagship affordable housing policy.