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Studio 67FAC News Clips – January 20, 2026
COUNTY
WOKV
Clay County commissioners consider placing pay increase on ballot
CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — After nearly two decades of stagnant pay, Clay County commissioners may soon see their salaries on the ballot.
News 4 Jax
Nassau County responds after Florida AG says county can’t justify big impact fee rate hike
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said the area’s recent population growth doesn’t qualify as “extraordinary circumstances” needed to exceed state limits
PROPERTY TAXES
The Apopka Voice
Florida property tax relief has support, but no consensus
Property tax relief took another step forward as Florida lawmakers returned to the state Capitol to decide how to whittle down a lengthy list of proposals for voters to consider later this year.
News 4 Jax
Where do Jacksonville city councilmembers stand on property tax elimination proposals?
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Property tax elimination proposals have become one of the most closely watched debates of the 2026 legislative session, as lawmakers advance several constitutional amendment measures that could dramatically reshape how homeowners are taxed — and how cities fund essential services.
LEGISLATION
Bradenton Journal
Florida’s 2026 session sees ‘bumper crop’ of open government bills, but will they close more doors?
Open government advocates worried by attempts to reduce transparency.
WTXL
Property tax reform ‘doable,’ but rural Florida must be protected: Albritton
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — As Florida lawmakers gavel in the 2026 legislative session, Senate President Ben Albritton says he’s entering the year optimistic.
FAC News Clips – January 16, 2026
COUNTY
Citizen Portal AI
The Jackson County Board of County Commissioners voted Jan. 15 to adopt Ordinance No. 2026, which defines designated public forums, limited access forums and nonpublic areas in county‑owned or controlled facilities and establishes enforcement and trespass warning authority.
News 4 Jax
The Attorney General’s analysis found that Nassau County’s 17% population increase over five years — approximately 3.4% annually — aligns with Florida’s broader growth patterns
PROPERTY TAXES
Bradenton Times
Proposal to gradually end property taxes advances in House committee
A proposed constitutional amendment to go before the voters that would gradually increase the homestead exemption for non-school-related property taxes by $100,000 each year for 10 years advanced in a House committee Thursday.
Naples Daily News
What Florida’s property tax cuts mean for SW FL
Florida lawmakers returned to Tallahassee Tuesday, Jan. 13, as Southwest Florida cities warn that state-driven changes to property taxes could upend their operating budgets and force cuts to public services.
WPTV
Eliminating property taxes? Why officials told WPTV they have ‘concerns’
Debate pits local government’s need for revenue against taxpayer frustration
LEGISLATION
WGCU
Florida’s 2026 session sees ‘bumper crop’ of open government bills, but will they close more doors?
This year there are roughly 40 proposals before the Florida Legislature seeking to create exemptions to public records.
The Invading Sea
In hurricane-prone Florida, legislators reconsider new growth and development law
After three hurricanes battered Florida in 2024, state lawmakers approved legislation that supporters said would help communities recover. But the measure has had the much more far-reaching consequence of blocking local sustainability and resilience efforts.
WFSU
Florida Senate quickly passes rural renaissance package
Senate President Ben Albriton’s rural renaissance package passed his chamber unanimously Wednesday for the second year in a row.
FAC News Clips – January 14, 2026
COUNTY
Your Observer
Manatee County explores idea of adopting a charter
New Commission Chair Tal Siddique says a charter can give residents more control of their county
WCTV
Taylor County to receive nearly $36 million for infrastructure improvements
TAYLOR COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) – Taylor County is set to receive nearly $36 million in awards to help improve infrastructure throughout the community, according to Governor Ron DeSantis.
352 Today
Alachua County Launches New Mobile App for Residents
Alachua County news and services are now at residents’ fingertips via a brand-new phone app.
Bradenton Times
Florida’s Home Rule in 2026
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
‘Blue Ribbon Projects’ bill incentivizing conservation lands clears first committee
While some concerns remain, even detractors were hopeful the committee process would yield progress.
Florida Politics
‘This will ensure that regardless if a storm hits, communities within areas of critical state concern will be able to move forward with comprehensive planning decisions.’
Florida Politics
The amendment was a compromise among key shareholders, the bill sponsor said.
Osceola News-Gazette
Tallahassee lawmakers start new ‘journey’
Republican legislative leaders opened the 2026 legislative session Tuesday citing a need to make life more affordable for Floridians.
The Capitolist
Florida data centers would be curbed under legislative bill
Data centers that use massive amounts of electricity and water to power artificial intelligence, streaming and other computer usage are the target of a bill in the Florida Legislature that aims to rein in the larger facilities.
PROPERTY TAXES
Destin Log
DeSantis calls again for slashing property taxes in State of the State speech
Is Florida about to slash property taxes? What would that mean?
Action News Jax
Tensions between Florida Governor and House Speaker on full display as 2026 Session gets underway
Tensions between the Governor and House Speaker were on full display as Governor Ron DeSantis laid out his vision for the 2026 legislative session, his last before leaving office.
FEDERAL
Inside Towers
Pushback From Cities and Counties on FCC’s Wireless Deployment Streamlining Efforts
UPDATE Opponents to the FCC’s proposal to streamline wireless infrastructure deployment say resistance from cities and counties is growing.
FAC News Clips – January 13, 2026
COUNTY
Central Florida Public
Brevard residents say renewing sales tax would help Indian River Lagoon
More than 70 people came to a workshop in Palm Bay Monday night to discuss the Save Our Indian River Lagoon, or SOIRL, program, which has for 10 years been funded by a half-cent sales tax in Brevard County.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Orlando Sentinel
Editorial: DeSantis proposes smart boundaries on runaway AI
By confronting the dangers of artificial intelligence and the risks of data centers, Gov. Ron DeSantis rightly puts Floridians first, and as the legislative session begins, the Florida Legislature must do the same.
PROPERTY TAXES
Gulf Shore Business
Proposed bills may shake up Florida’s property tax landscape
While on a day trip to Sebring Regional Airport in December, Gov. Ron DeSantis told an audience of local elected officials that home and land owners are seeing tax bills that exceed the worth of their homes.
The Capitolist
Florida property taxes top agenda of 2026 legislative session
Property taxes, insurance reform, housing affordability and education funding are on Florida lawmakers’ agenda as the 2026 legislative session begins Tuesday.
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
The amendment was a compromise among key shareholders, the bill sponsor said.
Orlando Weekly
Top Florida bills to keep an eye on in 2026
From further eroding abortion rights to making it harder to access the state’s meager unemployment benefits, Florida lawmakers have filed a number of bills they hope to turn into law this year.
Florida Politics
The biggest asks focus on storm resilience and growth, road construction, dredging projects, sewer and wastewater upgrades, and emergency response.
The Bradenton Times
What does Ron DeSantis hope to achieve in his final legislative session?
After seven productive years in office, Ron DeSantis will give his final “State of the State” address as Florida governor Tuesday morning at the Florida Capitol.
Click Orlando
Here are all the amendments Florida lawmakers want in 2026
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The next Legislative session in Florida kicks off on Tuesday, and lawmakers are already clamoring to file bills for consideration.
Florida Politics
And will Session end on time?
Florida Politics
Ben Albritton readies Senate for taxes, insurance, more
‘I’m going to work to encourage the Senators, I’m going to work to encourage Floridians. I’m going to have a positive message.’
FAC News Clips – January 12, 2026
TECHNOLOGY
WLRN
Outrage builds in Palm Beach County. What’s the impact of AI centers?
The conversation surrounding AI data centers has reached a fever pitch in Florida.
PROPERTY TAXES
WFSU
Gov. DeSantis is floating a spring special session for property tax
State leaders want to reduce property taxes, and soon, but the decision is ultimately up to Florida voters.
LEGISLATION
WFSU
Florida’s Senate president on redistricting, finding a ‘magical spot’ for property tax reform
Florida’s 2026 legislative session kicks off Tuesday — with property tax reform and redistricting being top issues to look out for.
Florida Politics
Nick DiCeglie, Danny Alvarez file bill to require unified 911 call centers in every Florida county
Alvarez said Florida’s current system is fragmented and inefficient, arguing that consolidation can reduce costs and improve response times.
FAC News Clips – January 8, 2026
COUNTY
Levy Citizen
The Levy County Board of County Commissioners convened Tuesday, January 6, 2026, for its first meeting of the new year, an agenda that was short on paper but long in discussion.
Florida Politics
Gov. DeSantis awards $168M to rural communities for infrastructure improvements
The state grants will help areas hit hard by last year’s hurricanes.
HOUSING
TC Palm
HUD affordable housing policy may leave families homeless, in shelters
Homeless shelters and affordable housing programs like Section 8 are already under strain.
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Politics
Governor teases Special Session to abolish homestead property tax
Besides being the right thing to do, DeSantis thinks a single ballot item will ‘juice’ turnout for Republicans in November.
LEGISLATION
Ocala News
New legislation introduced in the Florida Senate and House of Representatives could finally set a concrete timeline for the restoration of the Ocklawaha River, while offering Marion County significant influence over the process and a dedicated economic development program.
My News 13
Lawmakers may spend more time in Tallahassee this year
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida’s regular legislative session begins next week and runs through March, but lawmakers may be spending much more time in Tallahassee this year.
Florida Politics
Nick DiCeglie bills would address growth, hurricane reconstruction and public safety pressures
The bills reflect a growing focus in the Legislature on how laws function in practice, particularly during emergencies.