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Studio 67FAC News Clips – March 31, 2026
COUNTY
My News 13
Pasco County expands hurricane relief program
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Pasco County is expanding access to a major hurricane recovery program, allowing more homeowners impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton to qualify for financial assistance.
Your Observer
Manatee County names Myakka preserve after late commissioner Carol Felts
The Carol Ann Billberry Felts Preserve at David J. Crane Park Dedication and Public Memorial Service will be held April 18 at Crane Park in Myakka City.
WQCS
St. Lucie County voters to decide on extending half-cent surtax in November
St. Lucie County voters will once again decide the future of the county’s half-cent infrastructure sales surtax after commissioners approved placing the measure on the Nov. 3 ballot.
CYBERSECURITY
Route Fifty
Why small municipalities have become cybercriminals’ favorite prey
COMMENTARY | City and county managers can no longer see cybersecurity as an IT problem. They can take various practical steps before an incident occurs.
Route Fifty
Tech issues continue to haunt 911 systems
Many still operate using outdated technology and are prone to cyberattacks, leading advocates and lawmakers to call for more funding to make up the shortfall.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Florida Politics
Gov. DeSantis signs sweeping land-use bill curbing local zoning control
At least one municipality is looking into suing the state over the new law.
WLRN
The ‘Blue Ribbon’ Projects bill died this session. Will it come back?
A proposal to spur intense development in some of the most rural areas of the state died in the final days of the regular legislative session, due largely to strong opposition from Republican senators who declared that their constituents didn’t want any part of it.
WPTV
‘Granny flats’ get a boost as Florida lawmakers pass housing bill
Under the proposal, local governments would face new limits on how much they can restrict the construction of those units
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
Gov. DeSantis says legislators can expect to be tied up in Special Sessions for up to 6 weeks
The budget, congressional districts, and property taxes all could be discussed.
News 4 Jax
Florida Gov. DeSantis signs 7 more bills into law. Here’s the full list
Many new laws take effect on July 1
FAC News Clips – March 27, 2026
COUNTY
Spectrum News
Orange County Commission moves forward OCFR contract talks
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — After two years of negotiations, the Orange County Commission voted unanimously this week to end the contract stalemate with Orange County Fire Rescue.
Sun Sentinel
Palm Beach County won’t change Ag Reserve rules — for now
Palm Beach County will gather more information before deciding whether to move forward with any changes in the Agricultural Reserve, officials said Thursday.
WUWF
What might a consolidation of Tallahassee and Leon County governments look like?
Taxpayers pay for state and local government services, and a question that pops up periodically is whether residents of Tallahassee and Leon County need two local governments.
DOGE
Flagler Live
Ingoglia Attacks Flagler Government Spending in a Local Stop
Blaise Ingoglia, Florida’s chief financial officer, excoriated a room full of Flagler County government officials this afternoon at the Club at Hammock Beach, saying “government is spending too much, government is taxing too much,” and singling out Flagler County government for being proportionately the biggest wasteful spender in the state, according to an oversimplified methodology his office is applying to local government budgets.
WFTV
Florida CFO challenges Flagler County over $60 million spending
Flagler County defends its budget against state criticism and calls for property tax reduction.
HOUSING
Tampa Bay Times
Florida city wins Live Local lawsuit. But that won’t be the end of it
An attorney for the developer says they will ask the court to rehear the case because of what he called a misinterpretation of the act.
Florida Politics
Under Live Local, communities must engage to shape projects or risk being left out entirely
When developers encounter uncompromising resistance, Live Local offers an alternative: move forward without negotiation.
PROPERTY TAXES
Spectrum News
Political Connections Florida March 26 2026
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis touts property tax reform in “a fireside chat,” and signs bill that restores AIDS Drug Assistance Program for thousands, for now.
LEGISLATION
Islander News
Florida HB 105 to sue local governments fails
Florida House Bill 105, which would have allowed residents to sue local governments over decisions not clearly defined in ordinances, failed to pass before the legislative session ended.
FAC News Clips – March 26, 2026
COUNTY
Levy Citizen
Levy County honors employees for years of service
BRONSON — The Levy County Board of County Commissioners recognized employees for milestone years of service during its March 17, 2026, meeting.
WFSU
Local elected leaders urge state agencies to help solve a water pollution problem
Leaders from the city and county have sent a joint letter to two state agencies, urging action after scientists found so called forever chemicals in several private wells South of Tallahassee.
St. Pete Catalyst
County approves tourism arts program with revised funding structure
Pinellas County Commission approved a $500,000 funding agreement for a Creative Tourism Arts Program, with an amendment to the initial proposal that centers on how the funding will be dispersed.
St. John Citizen
St. Johns County Commissioners agreed Tuesday to send a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis urging him to veto a state bill that would limit local say over development decisions.
PROPERTY TAXES
WBPF
From property taxes to Cuba, Gov. Ron DeSantis answers questions during visit to local university
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke at Palm Beach Atlantic University Wednesday evening, addressing topics such as affordability, property taxes, Cuba, and political challenges facing Republicans.
Florida Politics
The proposal still isn’t ‘ripe’ yet, and he’s still floating new trial balloons.
HOUSING
Citrus County Chronicle
State changes to Live Local Act could limit Citrus County control
I wanted to share a major development out of Tallahassee that hasn’t fully hit the radar yet but has real implications for Citrus County and similar markets.
LEGISLATION
Florida Today
(HEADLINE CORRECTION FROM YESTERDAY’S CLIPS)
New law: Local governments CANT ban gas-powered leaf blowers
Annoyed yet by all those loud, noxious gas-powered leaf blowers revving up to clear the dead-leaf fallout from February’s cold snap?
WMNF
Florida Bills Raise Questions on Environment and Local Control
Recent Florida legislation is igniting statewide debate on the future of the environment, local government control, and the voices of ordinary Floridians.
FAC News Clips – March 25, 2026
COUNTY
Citrus County Chronicle
Citrus weighing options for land conservation
At a recent Citrus County Commission meeting, three options were discussed for preserving and enhancing our quality of life through our public lands.
WFLA
Hernando Commission considers ban on no-cash businesses
HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Hernando County Commissioners discussed an ordinance Tuesday that would require businesses that don’t accept cash payments to start taking cash.
Wear TV
Okaloosa County votes to ban red light and speed cameras on county roads
OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — Okaloosa County commissioners passed a resolution, banning any red light or speed detection cameras from being installed on county roads.
DOGE
WFLA
CFO claims Citrus County overtaxed residents by $39 million
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Over the past year, the state’s Chief Financial Officer, Blaise Ingoglia, has been actively auditing local government spending, shining a spotlight on cities and counties for what he says is “overtaxing” Floridians.
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Politics
Byron Donalds says if Ron DeSantis can’t get property taxes repealed, he’ll finish the job
‘If they’re not able to get anything done, we’re going to pick the ball up Day 1 as Governor.’
Tampa Bay Times
Florida real estate listings shouldn’t mislead about property taxes
A local property appraiser explains why and what’s being done about it.
Florida Politics
Gov. DeSantis trying to figure out ‘timing’ of property tax phaseout
How soon can it take effect? It’s an open question even for the man who wants to make it happen.
LEGISLATION
WTSP
Expansion of the Live Local Act could open more land for affordable housing
Religious or school properties may qualify for development under certain conditions.
Naples Daily News
With clock ticking, Florida lawmakers face budget deadline
To borrow from an old song, Florida’s legislative leadership is dancing in the dark, unseen by the public as they negotiate differences in a proposed state budget for 2026-27.
Jax Today
St. Johns County wants governor to veto development bill
St. Johns County Commissioners will send a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis asking that he veto a bill commissioners say will tie their hands on some development decisions.
Florida Today
New law: Local governments can ban gas-powered leaf blowers
Annoyed yet by all those loud, noxious gas-powered leaf blowers revving up to clear the dead-leaf fallout from February’s cold snap?
FAC News Clips – March 19, 2026
COUNTY
The Apopka Voice
Orange County Program helps residents protect springs and save on septic repairs
The initiative offers up to $10,000 to replace aging systems and reduce nitrogen pollution in Wekiwa and Rock Springs
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Insurance Journal
Florida Lawmakers Vote to Drop Building Permits on Projects of $7,500 or Less
Legislation that would have waived building permits for jobs valued at up to $7,500 failed to pass the Florida House this year, but the key clause found its way into another bill that is now awaiting the governor’s signature.
Florida Politics
Gov. Ron DeSantis receives sweeping land-use bill curbing local control
Proponents of the measure say easing zoning could boost housing supply, while critics warn it sidelines residents and weakens planning protections.
LEGISLATION
Political Cortadito
Miami-Dade commissioners vote to urge Ron DeSantis to veto anti-DEI bill
Miami-Dade County commissioners did something Tuesday that felt equal parts principled stand and political performance art: they formally urged Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto Senate Bill 1134
Orlando Sentinel
Commentary: Left undone in Tallahassee, but it’s no big deal
Step by step, session by session, Florida looks as if it’s inching toward a full-time Legislature.
Florida Politics
Harvest time: Governor receives Florida Farm Bill
The sweeping legislation represents priorities of Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.
WPTV
Not dead yet: AI protections bill may return as lawmakers eye special sessions
Future of Florida’s AI ‘Bill of Rights’ hinges on whether state leaders decide to bring it back—and whether opposition in the House softens enough to let it pass
FAC News Clips – March 18, 2026
COUNTY
Wink News
Flood-prone South Lee County to get $1.3M canal upgrade for relief
LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — Lee County commissioners approved $1.3 million to replace an aging weir near Page Field, a step toward ending chronic flooding near the Ten Mile Canal.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Florida Politics
Miami Beach to weigh lawsuit against state over pre-emption bill curbing local land-use authority
The legislation is part of a broader effort by state leaders to curb what they see as overly restrictive local zoning policies.
WFLA
Hurricane ‘fix-it’ bill fails to pass despite bipartisan backing
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Lawmakers ended session just days ago, and one of the most anticipated bills never made it across the finish line, despite bipartisan support.
LEGISLATION
Florida Bar
Several court-related bills pass as session ends without budget deal
Many court-related bills made it to the finish line — a few didn’t — before a stalemate forced the Legislature last week to adjourn another 60-day regular session without reaching a budget agreement.
The Answer Tampa
Financial transparency increasing for local governments
(The Center Square) – Florida taxpayers will have increased access to see how local governments are spending their money under a bill passed by the Legislature during the regular session’s final week.