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Studio 67FAC News Clips – March 12, 2026
COUNTY
Florida Politics
Senate approves Michael Owen proposals to reshape Hillsborough Commission, Superintendent selection
If signed by the Governor, both local referendum proposals would go before Hillsborough voters in November 2026.
LEGISLATION
Click Orlando
These new Florida bills are now ready for Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The latest Legislative session is set to come to a close this week, though lawmakers have already filed hundreds of bills for consideration.
Miami Community News
Florida Legislature passes bill banning local government DEI initiatives
Florida lawmakers passed a bill banning local government DEI initiatives.
Florida Politics
Senate approves Bill Conerly proposal creating University Town Center Improvement District
Conerly has previously said the district creates a mechanism to coordinate drainage improvements across county lines without relying on taxpayer funds.
WCJB
Florida legislature on pace to pass fewest bills of DeSantis era
Budget deadlock, affordability agenda stall as session nears end
Florida Politics
Houses amends and passes data center regulation framework
But critics have raised concern both about slowing centers down and keeping any planning secret from the public.
Florida Politics
Legislature approves revisions to Live Local Act designed to grow affordable housing options
If Gov. DeSantis signs the measure, it will be the third time the original law has been updated since it was enacted 3 years ago.
FAC News Clips – March 9, 2026
COUNTY
Tallahassee Democrat
Leon County Commission to consider government consolidation issue
At their upcoming meeting on March 10, the Leon County Commission may lock in language for the 2026 ballot to create a non-binding straw poll to take the temperature of voters on the topic of government consolidation.
PROPERTY TAXES
Sun Sentinel
Looming tax reform has Fort Lauderdale prepping for fallout
Tax reform jitters are spreading through cities across the state as legislators move forward with a plan set in motion by Gov. Ron DeSantis to give homesteaded property owners a much-needed tax break.
Pensacola News Journal
Florida property tax cuts could cost Santa Rosa $33M for roads parks
Navarre area resident Mark Mioduszewski enjoys bringing his grandchildren to Navarre Park on Santa Rosa Sound where swings and a host of other amenities give them plenty to do and provides a safe place to play.
LEGISLATION
News 4 Jax
House, Senate still at odds over Florida’s budget with just days left in regular session
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – With a week left in the scheduled regular session, House and Senate leaders aren’t yet into formal budget negotiations.
Around Osceola
A proposal to boost affordable housing through garage apartments and other accessory dwellings on single family home lots passed the Florida Senate on Wednesday.
Florida Politics
Differences emerge between Senate, House on transportation package
Because the Senate amended the House bill, the measure must now return to the House before final approval.
Florida Politics
Legislature passes measure mandating online payments for local governments
Since the Senate accepted the House version of the measure, the bill now heads to the Governor’s Office for final approval.
FAC News Clips – March 6, 2026
COUNTY
The Chamber
Nassau County Named as FACT Member of the Year
The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has been named the 2025 Member County of the Year by the Florida Association of Counties Trust (FACT), a prestigious recognition highlighting the County’s commitment to excellence in risk management and public service.
Bradenton Herald
Leaders opt against local sales tax hike on 2026 Orange County ballot
Orange County has abandoned any effort to put a tax measure on the ballot this year.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Miami Herald
Miami House speaker should’ve stopped bill to weaken home rule
Unfortunately, we cannot count on the Miami-raised Florida House speaker — and most of our Republican legislative delegation — to stop bad legislation that attacks Miami-Dade’s autonomy to prevent urban sprawl from reaching into the Everglades.
Florida Politics
Senate temporarily postpones ‘Blue Ribbon projects’ bill, but it’s not dead yet
A House version is still alive and awaiting a floor vote.
LEGISLATION
The Invading Sea
Florida House votes to spike local government ‘net zero policies’ to reduce climate change
A bill that would prevent local governments in Florida from using net-zero policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions — the primary driver of climate change — passed Thursday in the Florida House.
Florida Politics
Ben Albritton’s priorities — rural spending and school voucher fixes — seem dead
But financing-related issues remain in play.
FAC News Clips – March 5, 2026
COUNTY
My News 13
Officials want regulations in place before data center
CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. – Citrus County commissioners are set to hear a proposal for a new AI data center.
St. Augustine Record
St. Johns County highlights its best at Florida Capitol
Local pride took center stage at the Florida Capitol during a day dedicated to showcasing St. Johns County.
PROPERTY TAXES
Action News Jax
New poll finds property tax elimination could be in trouble, earns support from Florida voters JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Most Floridians support eliminating property taxes on their homes as long as public safety and school funding are protected.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Local 10
A water park in your neighborhood? Tallahassee takes aim at Miami-Dade development rules
Also: Could county’s Urban Development Boundary be history?
Florida Politics
House passes Live Local Act update further preempting localities on development, zoning
Advocates say state action is needed to overcome NIMBY resistance, Critics say Tallahassee is undermining home rule.
FEDERAL
Florida Politics
‘We have to lead in AI, and you can’t do that if you can’t build.’
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
DEI on chopping block (again): State lawmakers look to ban local diversity programs
‘When the government starts legislating art, it ceases to be art and becomes decoration.’
WFSU
Florida lawmakers are far apart on the budget as the session dwindles
House Speaker Daniel Perez says it’s “looking tough” for Florida lawmakers to complete a budget by the end of next week, the scheduled end of the legislative session.
Panama City News Herald
Drive to hasten Florida public records releases hits wall
Legislation to speed up responses to public records requests got unanimous OK from House, but likely will die in Senate, sponsor says
Florida Politics
House passes Fiona McFarland’s sweeping transportation package
Despite the wide scope of the legislation, much of the debate focused on a provision allowing wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
FAC News Clips, March 4, 2026
COUNTY
Observer
Flagler County pushes to support last remaining bill that would help with beach renourishment
One of the bills in the Florida legislature designed to aid in beach management has died, leaving Flagler County with one last hope for help with its county program.
My Panhandle
Governor Ron DeSantis awards $13 million across panhandle, set to create hundreds of jobs
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – A few of Northwest Florida’s economic engines just got a major boost.
Tampa Bay Times
Should Hillsborough redistrict and add commissioners?
A bill approved by the state House earlier this month proposes a move to nine single-member seats. If approved by the Senate, the final decision would fall to voters.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Miami Herald
Republicans split on Florida development and Everglades
Disagreement over how to develop a Florida still booming with newcomers is dividing Republicans in Tallahassee and in Miami-Dade, where lawmakers are at odds over proposals that could lead to development in protected areas.
Miami Herald
Keep the Urban Development Boundary to protect Florida
Today, House Bill 399 and Senate Bill 208 are circulating in Tallahassee, advocating for the elimination of the Urban Development Boundary (UDB).
Florida Phoenix
‘Blue Ribbon’ development bill narrowly survives Senate committee vote
‘You want a nuclear power plant or wastewater treatment plant in a conservation area? This bill would allow that.’
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Politics
Latest UNF poll shows initiative to eliminate property taxes failing at ballot box
While 76% of Republicans support the change, Democrats and independents are less keen on the idea.
FEDERAL
Bradenton Herald
What to watch from Trump’s national AI standard
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s executive order on artificial intelligence promised a proposal to Congress for a national artificial intelligence law, one meant to unify U.S. policy and address industry fears that conflicting state laws could slow AI growth.
LEGISLATION
WCJB
Senate Bill 290 now heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis. If signed, it would take effect July 1
FAC News Clips – March 3, 2026
COUNTY
WFTV
Orange County Government Delays Sales Tax Vote to 2028 Amid Affordability Concerns
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County commissioners voted Monday to table discussions regarding a local sales tax increase until 2028.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Orlando Sentinel
Brodeur supports plan that could gut rural boundaries
TALLAHASSEE — Powerful Central Florida state Senator Jason Brodeur is backing a measure that critics say would undermine Seminole County’s rural boundary, undercut local government control and put taxpayers on the hook for compensating landowners whose efforts to build in the protected area are turned down.
TC Palm
Florida Blue Ribbon Projects bill allows large developments
Once the Florida Department of Commerce approves a “Blue Ribbon Project,” local governments have few choices.
PROPERTY TAXES
Tampa Bay Times
Will Florida Supreme Court review lawmakers’ property tax proposal? Only if someone sues
PolitiFact | A legislatively passed ballot measure generally goes straight to voters without the court’s review.
LEGISLATION
Click Orlando
Here’s everything you should know about Florida’s massive tax proposal
If approved, HB 7031 takes effect on July 1
Florida Bar
Senate panel backs revised plan to address $75 million clerk funding gap
A Senate panel on Monday approved a revised proposal for addressing what the court clerks say is a $75 million shortfall in their operating budgets statewide.
WTXL
‘We’ve really lost the plot’: Florida session could drag into overtime again
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida lawmakers are running out of time, and signs are mounting they could once again blow past their 60-day deadline as budget negotiations lag and major priorities stall.
Florida Politics
Senate panel primes third Live Local Act update for full floor vote
Florida could further limit local zoning powers to accelerate construction of workforce housing developments statewide.