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Studio 67FAC 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.
FAC News Clips – February 26, 2026
COUNTY
WDBO
Orange County Considers Buffer Zone to Keep Vape Shops Away from Public Schools
Commissioner Nicole Wilson proposes zoning changes after complaints about a vape shop near Olympia High School, with officials set to discuss the measure April 7.
Daytona Beach News Journal
Volusia Chair Jeff Brower calls for local control in county address
Amid a Florida legislative session that has included talk of who controls water quality and whether property taxes will be cut, Volusia County Council Chairman Jeff Brower advocated for home rule at the “State of the County” address on Wednesday, Feb. 25.
TECHNOLOGY
Lkld Now
Proposals for Massive Data Centers Are Popping Up Across Florida. Are Local Governments Prepared?
Florida doesn’t have a hyperscale data center operating yet, but proposals to build them are emerging all across the state.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
CFPM
‘Time running out’ for fix to law that limits home rule, advocates say
As the end of this year’s legislative session quickly approaches, local leaders and growth planning advocates are urging state lawmakers to make good on their promise to fix a new law causing major challenges for counties and cities across Florida.
PROPERTY TAX
Miami Times Online
Gov. DeSantis still sees Special Session as necessary for property tax relief
Gov. Ron DeSantis is praising the House for passing a path to homestead property tax abatement, but still believes that the ultimate product will have to emerge during a Special Session after Sine Die.
Bradenton Herald
Editorial: Proposed tax break would be great for millionaires, bad for communities
State lawmakers voted last week to serve Floridians a dose of pretty poison, bottled in the shape of a massive tax cut and dangled before voters in the November election.
WUWF
Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia told members of Tallahassee’s Network of Entrepreneurs and Business Advocates (NEBA) on Feb. 24 that both he and Governor Ron DeSantis really want to get rid of property taxes on homesteaded properties. He just doesn’t think it’ll happen in the next few weeks.
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
Senate vote brings Florida one step closer to e-bike and e-scooter regulations
The bill comes in response to mounting concerns over e-bike and e-scooter crashes.
Florida Politics
University Town Center Improvement District proposal heading to House floor
‘What’s difficult is that there’s a drainage basin that exists in 2 counties, so it’s very hard to coordinate the overall drainage.’
Florida Politics
Florida DEI bill threatens local governments
Gov. Ron DeSantis may be on his way out the door, but his culture wars live on. There’s another round brewing in Tallahassee.
FAC News Clips – February 25, 2026
COUNTY
TC Palm
St. Lucie County sales tax renewal for Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce
St. Lucie County voters likely will decide in November whether to renew a half-percent sales tax for infrastructure.
Fox 13
Manatee County’s District 1 commissioner suddenly passes away: ‘Greatly missed’
BRADENTON, Fla. – Manatee County announced the death of one of their commissioners, Carol Ann Felts, on Tuesday.
Your Observer
Local legislators and businesses come together on Manatee County Day
Manatee County commissioners travel to Tallahassee to meet with legislators annually to discuss the county’s needs and priorities.
Orlando Weekly
Demings gives feds more time to renegotiate reimbursement for ICE detention costs
Federal officials requested the county extend their deadline for negotiations after Demings threatened to potentially cancel their agreement allowing the local jail to serve as a temporary detention center.
TECHNOLOGY
WUWF
Florida House starts to advance rules on massive data centers
Legislation putting new restrictions on large-scale data centers, major plank of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push to put guardrails on artificial intelligence, cleared its first House committee on Tuesday.
WPBF
Developers hit pause on St. Lucie County data center plans
The developers’ withdrawal of their application does not mean the plans are off the table, according to a county commissioner.
STATE
Miami Herald
Florida Cabinet approves $40M for rural immigration enforcement
Gov. Ron DeSantis and members of the Florida Cabinet on Tuesday approved roughly $40 million to reimburse local law enforcement agencies — primarily in rural counties — for a rapid buildup of equipment and detention capacity as part of the state’s escalating immigration crackdown.
LEGISLATION
Sun Sentinel
Fort Lauderdale not a fan of ‘catastrophic’ Live Local bills
Florida lawmakers, in their zeal to boost affordable housing to accommodate the state’s surging population, have come up with a one-size-fits-all approach that will have dire consequences for crowded urban areas like Fort Lauderdale, critics say.
Midflorida Newspaper
House passes budget, but Speaker warns against ‘artificial deadline’
The House passed its $113.6 billion budget proposal Thursday, but House Speaker Daniel Perez warned negotiations with the Senate could be rocky, possibly leading to an extension of the legislative session.
Florida Bar
Bill boosting payments to court clerks advances
The House Judiciary Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to significantly raise the reimbursement rate the state pays to Florida court clerks for waiving filing fees and service charges for domestic violence victims and the poor.
Orlando Weekly
Could Pulse memorial be affected by Florida’s proposed crackdown on city-funded DEI?
A proposal making its way through the state Legislature would prevent cities from funding any diversity, equity or inclusion initiative, with limited exceptions.
Florida Politics
Release the records! Final House Committee OKs government transparency bill
Government agencies’ default setting is ‘ignore, delay, and deny’ when it comes to public records.
FAC News Clips – February 24, 2026
COUNTY
WGCU
Stealth tax proposal surfaces as Sarasota County spending outpaces revenue
Sarasota County staff is preparing to float new tax options at next week’s budget workshop before the County Commission — including one tax that would not appear on property tax bills — after internal budget documents show spending growth is forcing the county to consider dipping into reserves, shifting money between funds, and reducing services.
Florida Politics
Randy Fine spotlights federal funds for Flagler beaches
The money came quickly after the lawmaker engaged the executive branch.
Levy Citizen
Levy County launches live streaming for commission meetings
Levy County residents now have a new way to follow local government in real time.
Florida Daily
Florida Sees Another Record-Breaking Year for Tourism
The number is 143 million. That’s how many visitors came to the state in 2025 according to the estimates from Visit Florida.
DATA CENTERS
Florida Politics
Mark McNees: Sam Altman just made the case for SB 484
SB 484 would set guardrails for data center water, energy use
Route-Fifty
Data center tax breaks are on the chopping block in some states
Rising energy costs and environmental concerns drive states to reconsider incentives.
PROPERTY TAXES
Miami Times Online
Daniel Perez leads House on ‘historic’ vote to eliminate most homestead property taxes
The House has approved a resolution proposing a constitutional amendment that would eliminate most property taxes on homesteaded properties.
Miami Herald
Florida property tax cuts could hurt renters, local services
Florida lawmakers are pushing proposals to slash or eliminate property taxes on homesteaded properties, with voters potentially deciding the issue in November. But a series of Miami Herald editorials warns the cuts could backfire on renters, local hospitals, small municipalities and lower-income residents.
LEGISLATION
CL Tampa
Hillsborough Republican sponsors bill critics call a ‘death knell’ for rural lands
‘This needs to be brought to the public, to the surrounding community, down in the little Manatee area, Wimauma, the Sundance area.’