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Studio 67FAC News Clips – May 29, 2026
COUNTY
WTXL
Historic harms amendment clears Citizen Charter Review Committee
DOWNTOWN TALLAHASSEE, FL — A proposed charter amendment that would require Leon County to examine the impact of past public policy on geographical areas cleared the Citizens Charter Review Committee on Thursday after more than two hours of debate.
WPBF
Okeechobee County looks to get the word out on text-to-911 service for emergencies
OKEECHOBEE, Fla. —
Okeechobee County has announced the launch of a text-to-911 service as part of its E-911 system, offering a vital alternative for emergencies when making a phone call is not possible or safe.
WPTV
Martin County dispatch center gets $2M upgrade for faster response
Facility features cutting-edge equipment designed to help the county’s six to eight dispatchers per shift manage Martin County’s growing emergency call volume more efficiently
Florida Politics
‘Elected officials still have the right to decide if school zone speed enforcement technology should be implemented in their communities.’
PROPERTY TAXES
Tallahassee Democrat
Tallahassee leaders weigh in on DeSantis property tax plan
Gov. Ron DeSantis presented the first look at his plans to cut Florida’s property taxes May 27, and local leaders in Tallahassee and Leon County are already trying to wrap their heads around what this might mean for the governments and citizens they serve.
Highlands News-Sun
DeSantis unveils property tax cut plan
TALLAHASSEE — Many Florida homeowners would see their property tax bills eliminated or severely cut under a plan released Wednesday by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
First Coast News
Gov. DeSantis’ property tax plan raises concerns over funding for local services
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a special legislative session on property tax relief.
Florida Phoenix
Teachers union on property tax plan: ‘The stakes for public education are enormous’
Florida’s largest statewide teacher union says schools would be at risk under Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposal to significantly increase the homestead property tax exemption.
Tampa Bay Times
DeSantis wants to spend $5.5 million promoting Florida property tax amendment
The governor’s plan says the required mailers aren’t advocating for the amendment’s passage.
Miami Herald
DeSantis property tax proposal raises too many questions
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been talking about cutting property taxes for over a year.
DATA CENTERS
Sarasota Magazine
Developers Push Massive Data Center Complex in DeSoto County Amid Backlash
Florida-based DCIP Group has already secured rezoning approval for an initial 34-acre site at a decommissioned power plant near Arcadia, but company executives say the project could eventually expand to roughly 1,300 acres.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
WFLA
Acting FEMA chief Bob Fenton on incoming hurricane season: ‘We are playing catch-up’
TAMPA, Fla. (The Hill) — Bob Fenton, the acting FEMA administrator, is reassuring the public that the agency is prepared for hurricane season, even as the Trump administration pushes for states to take a more active role in recovery.
LEGISLATION
News 4 Jax
Florida lawmakers ready to vote Friday on $114.5B budget after special session to get it done
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida lawmakers could vote just before noon Friday on an approximately $114.5 billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1.
Orlando Sentinel
Florida legislature expected to approve budget Friday
TALLAHASSEE — With the Legislature set to vote Friday on a $114.5 billion spending plan that includes nearly 2,000 member projects, Gov. Ron DeSantis is preparing to use his line-item veto.
Florida Politics
Florida Clerks of Courts relieved by measure allowing them to retain more funding
The legislation allows Clerks of Courts to keep more funding from fines and fees.
FAC News Clips – May 28, 2026
COUNTY
TC Palm
Florida island home to celebrities could be severed by erosion
A wealthy, narrow island home to Tiger Woods, Venus Williams and other celebrities is at increasing risk of flooding and coastal erosion.
WTXL
Leon County School Board approves property tax hike to fund school programs
The board voted 4-1 to place a 1-mill property tax referendum on the November 2026 ballot to fund teacher pay, school safety, arts, and athletics.
Alachua Chronicle
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – At the May 26 meeting, Alachua County Commissioners selected artwork for the County’s Fire Headquarters and Emergency Operations Center, heard an update on regulations for data centers, and deferred a decision on Westside Christian School’s request for water and sewer services.
Tampa Bay Times
St. Petersburg would lose $75M with hiked homestead property tax break
State lawmakers would still need to approve Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plan before voters weigh in on the issue on November ballots.
Tampa Bay Times
Dunedin eyes fire fee as Tallahassee targets property taxes
The special assessment could replace as much as $9 million in property tax revenue that the city stands to lose.
PROPERTY TAXES
The Destin Log
Florida leaders react to Gov. DeSantis on property tax cut
The governor has called the tax-cutting idea the ‘Big Kahuna.’
CPA
‘A Plan to Have a Plan.’ Key Details Still Undefined in DeSantis’ Tax-Cut Pitch
After more than a year of publicly hyping the idea of major property tax relief, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday finally unveiled what he called a plan to deliver it. What he did not unveil was an actual proposal.
WLRN
DeSantis calls for special legislative session on property taxes to begin Monday
Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled a plan Wednesday in Tampa to gradually eliminate most property taxes.
Islander News
How DeSantis’ tax cut could affect schools and public safety
Critics and local government say the governor’s proposed homestead tax changes could strain funding for education, healthcare and other core services
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Tampa Bay Times
What is a ‘super El Niño’? And what does it mean for hurricanes in Florida?
Experts are debating whether a supercharged El Niño will emerge this summer. Here’s what they know so far.
FAC News Clips – May 27, 2026
COUNTY
WCTV
FEMA approves nearly $1 million to reimburse Leon County for Hurricane Helene cleanup
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Leon County is being reimbursed nearly $1 million that was spent after Hurricane Helene.
WQCS
St. Lucie County to change its economic incentives encouraging development
- LUCIE COUNTY — St. Lucie County officials have approved sweeping updates to the county’s economic incentive programsin an effort tostandardize how businesses are rewarded for building and expanding in the area.
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Today
Florida ending property taxes won’t really save us money | Opinion
We are in a season of giving, but one trendy giveaway idea has actually been making the political rounds for months.
DATA CENTERS
My Panhandle
Jackson County BOCC place moratorium on discussion for AI Data Center
JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. – Hundreds gathered outside and inside the Jackson County Commission board room to have their voices heard on an item that wasn’t even listed on the agenda.
Florida Politics
Citrus County places temporary halt on data centers
‘We’re trying to get the guardrails in place.’
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Florida Politics
Local leaders encourage Floridians to begin making preparations ahead of start to hurricane season
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) – With the official start of hurricane season just days away, officials across Florida are advising residents to make sure they’re prepared.
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
Budget conference: Lawmakers want to spend millions on affordable housing
The Legislature wants to fully fund the state’s affordable housing trust funds.
Tampa Bay Times
Florida’s delayed $115 billion budget puts money toward AI, AIDS drugs
TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s legislative leaders, after weeks of negotiations and delays, are ready to give Gov. Ron DeSantis his final budget.
FAC News Clips – May 19, 2026
COUNTY
Fox 35
Helmets, speed limits, fines: New e-bike, e-scooter rules being considered by Orange County
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County leaders are considering requiring helmets, setting speed limits, and/or fines to help enforce e-bike and e-scooter safety among kids and teens.
PROPERTY TAXES
USA Today
Why Florida’s property tax plans could upend local governments
These are trying times for municipal governments in Florida.
Flagler Live
DeSantis Renews Push For Florida Property Tax Cuts
Still without a public proposal to offer, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday doubled down on his year-long call to slash Florida’s property taxes.
FAC News Clips – May 18, 2026
COUNTY
News-Press
Collier County landfill expansion approved
While there isn’t a need to expand Collier County’s landfill yet, the county is planning for it.
News 4 Jax
Ironman Jacksonville hit its stride with athletes, but locals say the city wasn’t race-ready
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Ironman Triathlon wrapped up a busy weekend in Jacksonville, drawing nearly 2,000 athletes from around the world.
Bradenton Herald
Orlando teen’s death underscores concerns about e-bikes, e-scooters
The death of a 13-year-old Lake Nona boy, fatally injured on Mother’s Day while riding an electric scooter to buy flowers for his mom, has cast a pall over the Orange County commission’s scheduled discussion Tuesday about regulating so-called micro-mobility devices.
The Apopka Voice
Orange County recognized nationally for environmental health and extreme heat resilience efforts
Orange County was honored in the Extreme Heat category for its targeted, data-driven efforts to protect residents and strengthen long-term environmental resilience.
ENVIRONMENT
WFSU
Florida municipalities are spearheading shoreline resiliency
Florida has the longest coastline in the contiguous United States with about 8,500 miles of tidal shoreline.
PROPERTY TAXES
BWHL
Property taxes already low in Escambia, Santa Rosa amid Florida debate
Despite all of the noise in the Florida Legislature over the possibility of Florida cutting or even eliminating property taxes, state homeowners are actually better off than much of the United States. And in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, it’s even better.
Florida Politics
Rick Scott throws salt on Ron DeSantis’ property tax repeal pitch
‘How are you going to fund education and transportation, the environment, things like that?’
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
Good news.
FAC News Clips – May 15, 2026
COUNTY
105.9
Citrus County Considers Pause On AI Data Center Projects
Citrus County, FL – Citrus County leaders are considering a temporary halt on new artificial intelligence data center applications as residents continue raising concerns about the potential environmental and infrastructure impact of large scale developments proposed in the area.
Tallahassee Democrat
Leon County sends ‘historic harms’ back to charter review
The Leon County Commission is sending its “historic harms” charter amendment back to the citizens charter review committee so it can create a new version to comply with state and federal laws.
Town-Crier
County Commissioners Hit The Brakes On School Zone Speed Camera Plan
The Palm Beach County Commission is hitting the brakes on installing traffic cameras in unincorporated school zone areas, but they are not ruling them out entirely.
WGCU
About half of Florida is considered rural.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Orlando Sentinel
The hurricane cone will look a little different this season
Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center, revealed the center’s new cone of uncertainty this week at the Governor’s Hurricane Conference in West Palm Beach, as well as an experimental cone that will be more definitive about storm tracks.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Route-Fifty
‘No time to waste’ in prepping governments for AI cyber threats, top Dem lawmaker says
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called on the Department of Homeland Security to work closer with states and localities, and bemoaned the end of federal funding to an information-sharing center.
PROPERTY TAXES
Raiders Wire
Florida property tax rates: Where does Florida rank in the U.S.?
According to Rocket Mortgage, Florida ranked 28th in 2025 in the amount of property tax burden with an effective rate of 0.79 percent.
LEGISLATION
WGCU
House and Senate budget talks remain unsettled on Everglades, citrus
TALLAHASSEE — House and Senate budget negotiators managing environmental and agricultural issues approached the special session’s first deadline with funding gaps still outstanding in areas involving citrus research, land preservation and Everglades restoration.
Miami Herald
DeSantis and Perez feud intensifies during budget talks
Gov. Ron DeSantis has grown frustrated at pieces of his agenda being thwarted by the GOP-led House, and lashed out at Speaker Daniel Perez on Thursday.
Florida Politics
Budget conference: Senate gives up on most of Ben Albritton’s Rural Renaissance proposals
Ben Albritton has been pushing for the state to invest more in Florida’s rural areas. It’s been a tough fight with the House.