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Studio 67FAC News Clips – February 11, 2026
COUNTY
Bradenton Times
Orange County to set deadline to increase reimbursement for housing ICE detainees
Orange County leaders signaled Tuesday they’ll take a more aggressive posture in their demand to be reimbursed in full for housing ICE detainees in their jail.
Alachua Chronicle
Alachua County Fire Rescue earns national accreditation
ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – Alachua County Fire Rescue (ACFR) is proud to announce it has been awarded national accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS), recognizing the department’s commitment to excellence in emergency medical services, patient care, and operational performance.
Bradenton Times
Local governments provide proof that polarization is not inevitable
(ROCHESTER, NY) When it comes to national politics, Americans are fiercely divided across a range of issues, including gun control , election security and vaccines . It’s not new for Republicans and Democrats to be at odds over issues, but things have reached a point where even the idea of compromising appears to be anathema , making it more difficult to solve thorny problems.
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Politics
Paul Renner prods Legislature on property tax relief
The Palm Coast Republican wants his former colleagues to take action.
News Break
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – At the February 10 Alachua County Commission meeting, County staff responded to a recent Florida DOGE report that highlighted Alachua County budget increases, and Commissioners expressed the hope that initiatives to limit property taxes on homesteaded properties would fail.
Florida Politics
Jolien Caraballo: For fast-growing cities, property tax changes will impact quality of life
‘If we want quality of life in Florida to remain a success story, we must ensure that revenue discussions are grounded in the realities local governments face every day.’
Wink News
How property tax cuts could impact road funding | Lee County
LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. (WINK) — A massive pothole on Beth Avenue North and 70th Street West is hard to miss — and even harder to drive over.
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
We have liftoff: First House panel OKs measure calling for tax breaks to aerospace companies
‘We need to move forward in a way that keeps up with the industry and we need to be aggressive.’
Florida Politics
House Committee supports bill to make Florida public records more accessible
‘Public records, they’re literally property of the public. So we should make sure that they’re accessible to the public.’
Florida Politics
Michael Owen proposal creating south Hillsborough stewardship district advancing to House floor
While the district would be created upon the bill taking effect, its authority to levy ad valorem taxes would require voter approval.
Florida Politics
Senate bill on local government budget transparency moves through Committee
Some lawmakers warned the stronger oversight rules would hurt small cities and rural counties.
FAC News Clips – February 10, 2026
COUNTY
Click Orlando
Orange County made nearly $400M in tourist taxes in 2025. Here’s what the money is used for and why
By law, tourist development taxes have to be used for tourism-related projects
Daily Commercial
Lake County leaders seek millions in Tallahassee for infrastructure
Lake County leaders have traveled to Tallahassee to advocate for funding and support for major community projects and improvements.
WMNF
Pinellas leaders celebrate completion of $126 million beach nourishment project
Pinellas County has completed its nearly $126 million beach nourishment project, restoring beaches after erosion from an active 2024 hurricane storm season.
Levy Citizen
Levy County advances major oyster restoration project through RESTORE Act
The Levy County Board of County Commissioners has approved an updated State Expenditure Plan under the RESTORE Act Spill Impact Component, clearing the way for a major new investment in oyster reef restoration and working waterfront recovery along Levy County’s Gulf Coast.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE & DATA CENTERS
Fox 13
Florida AI legislation update: House feud threatens DeSantis’ AI guardrails and data center limits
TALLAHASSEE – Florida’s 2026 legislative session is seeing a significant divide between the House and Senate over the regulation of artificial intelligence.
CL Tampa
Why Florida is hiding its data center boom
Hoping to position Florida as the next big destination for large and hyperscale data centers that power artificial intelligence, state lawmakers are weighing how much corporate secrecy is enough but not too much and how to manage the centers’ intensive demands for energy and water where they operate.
PROPERTY TAXES
Sun-Sentinel
What we miss when we talk about property taxes | Opinion
When we talk about property taxes, the conversation often starts and ends with the number at the bottom of the bill.
Click Orlando
‘Worst states:’ DeSantis weighs in on latest Florida tax ranking
Index looks at tax competition between different states
Miami Herald
How Florida property tax cuts could hollow out Miami-Dade cities
When Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and others talk about eliminating property taxes, their pitch seems straight-forward: We’ll fix Florida’s affordability crisis and cities and counties will be forced to live within their means.
DOGE
Florida Politics
CFO pushes for government transparency — except in his own Office
It took Florida Politics more than 5 months and required a lawyer’s letter for the CFO to release 20 pages of public records.
LEGISLATION
My News 13
Senate passes bill on renting ‘affordable dwelling units’
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — A pending bill in the Florida legislature may provide more affordable housing options for both homeowners and renters across the state if it is signed into law.
AROUND THE COUNT(R)Y
Merced Sun-Star
California seniors could choose to opt out of property tax
If you’re a Californian who is at least 60 years old, Rishi Kumar thinks you should be able to choose whether to pay property taxes.
FAC News Clips – February 9, 2026
COUNTY
News 13
Orange County invests $644K on mental health for OCFR
ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County leaders are allocating $644,000 for behavioral health evaluations for Orange County Fire Rescue, a move aimed at strengthening mental health support for firefighters and other employees who routinely respond to traumatic emergencies.
WPTV
STILL ON TRACK? Why this Brightline project is delayed
County officials submit second federal grant request for $69.2 million Brightline station project
MidFlorida Newspaper
Polk County celebrates its 165th anniversary
The Polk County Board of County Commissioners and county leaders celebrated Polk County’s 165th anniversary on Tuesday, Feb. 3 following the commission board meeting.
ENVIRONMENT
The Invading Sea
Questions surround Florida’s attempt to expand its role in Everglades restoration
A few weeks after the U.S. government began incarcerating undocumented migrants in the fragile Florida Everglades, Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news event some 57 miles from the facility, in beachy Marco Island, that went somewhat unnoticed at the time among the national media.
Florida Politics
Wilton Simpson: Large tract of Hardee County land preserved for farmers
The 1,300 acres of land will be blocked from having any urban development on the property.
DOGE
The Independent Alligator
County officials, grant recipients express frustration over DOGE criticisms
The report claimed the county and local organizations misused funds
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Courier
What ideas do Florida lawmakers have to cut property taxes?
MIAMI — The window for Florida lawmakers to meaningfully debate cutting property taxes gets smaller with each passing day.
FAC News Clips – February 5, 2026
COUNTY
Action News Jax
Does Florida need 67 counties? Jacksonville State lawmaker argues it’s time to have the conversation
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Does Florida have too many counties?
WGCU
Nearly half a billion dollars in disaster recovery funds coming from FEMA to several counties
Several Southwest Florida counties will share in nearly half a billion dollars in FEMA public assistance recovery funds for Floridians impacted by disaster.
My Panhandle
Florida Legislature recognizes statewide moment of silence for Washington County Administrator
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Florida Legislature paused its session on Wednesday to observe a moment of silence in honor of longtime Washington County Administrator Jeff Massey.
PROPERTY TAXES
TC Palm
Florida property tax cuts? No such thing as free lunch | Opinion
‘Eliminating property taxes would become the largest state takeover of local decision-making in American history.’
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Florida Politics
Bill to fast-track dense housing on contaminated South Florida land clears first House Committee
The bill would require cities and counties to allow redevelopment at the highest residential density permitted nearby — or default to state-set standards if none exist.
WCJB
Senate passes bill requiring local governments to allow accessory dwelling units
The legislation would mandate ADU ordinances in single-family neighborhoods statewide
ENVIRONMENT
CFPM
Senate committee advances proposal to restore natural riverway
A proposal to restore the natural flow of water between the Ocklawaha and St. Johns Rivers cleared its second of three required Senate committee stops Wednesday.
ARTIFICIAL NTELLIGENCE
The Destin Log
At Sarasota’s New College, DeSantis calls for AI regulation
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke at New College of Florida on Wednesday to push for state-level regulation of artificial intelligence.
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
Yvette Benarroch budget transparency proposal clears first House Committee
The bill also includes a separate provision prohibiting cities and counties from spending public funds on diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Florida Politics
Bills setting new rules, public info exemptions for data centers clear second Senate hurdle
One Senator warned that a confidentiality allowance could put local officials in legal and political jeopardy.
Florida Politics
House panel advances Adam Botana proposal to eliminate most local business taxes
Supporters said inspections and safety regulations would remain in place regardless of whether the tax is repealed.
FAC News Clips – February 3, 2026
Florida Politics
Each bill was heard by three committees with little pushback in any of them.
Your Observer
Hiring freeze begins as Manatee County researches effects of tax cuts
With Manatee County having implemented a hiring freeze Jan. 15, County Administrator Charlie Bishop has been meeting with each of his departments and going over their base and continuation budgets.
Islander News
Miami-Dade mayor steps in to halt proposed wetlands development
Daniella Levine Cava vetoed a land use change that would have allowed commercial development on environmentally sensitive wetlands, though commissioners could still override her decision.
DOGE
Miami Herald
Florida DOGE report reads like a political stunt
The report the Florida DOGE has recently released detailing spending in the state’s largest cities and counties reads, at times, like a reasonable exercise in fiscal oversight.
Rick’s Blog
Florida DOGE Takes a Hard Look at Pensacola’s Books
The Florida Department of Government Efficiency released its report on local government spending last week, and Pensacola’s section alone is worth a careful read because Gov. DeSantis and CFO Blaise Ingoglia don’t believe Mayor D.C. Reeves is following their anti-DEI playbook.
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Politics
Ron DeSantis still in no rush to roll out property tax elimination proposal
A ‘very, very meaningful’ plan will emerge sooner or later.
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
Bill calling for Electric Bike Safety Task Force powers through House panel
The Task Force would make recommendations on how to deal with the vehicles and propose regulations.
Florida Politics
Michael Owen proposal to create a Stewardship District in southern Hillsborough clears House panel
While the District would be created upon the bill taking effect, its authority to levy ad valorem taxes would require approval by voters.
Florida Politics
Proposed hospital bill could send local tax dollars out of county
An effort to increase collaboration and improve health care has some unintended consequences, including more power with less oversight.
FAC News Clips – February 2, 2026
COUNTY
Keys Weekly
COUNTY ATTENDS FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES LEGISLATIVE DAY
Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln, and Commissioners Holly Merrill Raschein and Jim Scholl, recently joined Monroe County Legislative Affairs Director Lisa Tennyson in Tallahassee for the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) Legislative Day.
Suncoast News
Pinellas just made it easier to remove trees from your yard. Here’s how
County commissioners amended several ordinances to simplify the burdensome — and costly — process.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Realtor
Florida and Indiana lawmakers are advancing similar proposals to stop local governments from creating land-use restrictions that stifle construction of smaller starter homes.
PROPERTY TAXES
Tampa Bay Times
A rundown of ideas Florida lawmakers have so far to cut property taxes
Gov. DeSantis, who has been calling for a repeal of property taxes, has not shared a proposal.
Florida Politics
‘Difficult decisions’: St. Pete faces $18M budget gap
‘Imagine literally cutting our budget 50%. Those are jobs.’
STATE
Florida Politics
State to waive park fees for a week, give employees Presidents Day off, Gov. DeSantis says
The Governor brought good news to celebrate America’s 250th.
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
House committee zooms e-bike regulation bill through with unanimous vote
The bill would require law enforcement to uniformly track e-bike crashes.