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Studio 67FAC 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.
FAC News Clips – March 17, 2026
STATE
Tallahassee Reports
FEMA Lifts Environmental Hold on $608M Grant for ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ ‘Deportation Depot’
Florida is finally eligible for a $608 million federal grant to help pay for the state’s migrant lockups after the Trump administration lifted an environmental funding hold that had stalled the dollars for months.
PARTNERS
Business Wire
First-of-its-Kind Collaboration Will Use Comcast’s Nationwide, Highly Distributed Network to Test Real-Time Edge AI Applications Running Milliseconds from Customers
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Seeking Rent
The Florida Legislature made a mess. The Florida House refused to clean it up.
On the very first day of this year’s legislative session — just a few hours after lawmakers had gaveled open and the governor had delivered his annual State of the State address — the Florida Senate went to work trying to clean up a statewide mess.
Insurance Journal
Florida Brownfield Development Bill Raising Concerns About Coverage, Litigation
Amid the last-minute scramble to move legislation before the non-budgetary session was set to end last week, Florida lawmakers quietly approved a bill that could open up more contaminated “brownfield” areas in south Florida to housing development.
Florida Politics
Lawmakers, advocates battle in late showdown over Orange and Seminole rural boundaries
A fight over rural boundaries in Central Florida led to an 11th-hour amendment and a tense exchange on the Senate floor.
LEGISLATION
WPTV
Property tax reform stalls in Tallahassee, but fight isn’t over
Debate has revealed sharp differences within the Republican supermajority that controls state government
Tallahassee Reports
Here’s What Happened To Ten Key 2026 Session Issues
Florida lawmakers put forward just under 2,000 bills and resolutions as they entered the 2026 legislative session.
Florida Politics
Blaise Ingoglia praises lawmakers for approving bills he backed to control local spending
‘I have made it my mission to provide real transparency into local governments’ spending.’
FAC News Clips – March 13, 2026
COUNTY
Citrus County Chronicle
Board pushes for workforce housing clarity
After a lengthy discussion about workforce housing, Citrus County commissioners this week reached a consensus to study the issue further and return at a future meeting with a clearer approach — including possible ways to hold developers accountable for providing it.
My News 13
FEMA awards Osceola County $13 million to prepare for storms
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Osceola County has received $13 million in Federal Emergency Management Administration grants to improve drainage and multiple intersections to help reduce the amount of damage during hurricanes and other tropical storms, U.S. Rep Darren Soto (D-District 9) and District 2 County Commissioner Viviana Janer announced Thursday.
PROPERTY TAXES
Click Orlando
Is Florida’s property tax cut proposal dead? Here’s what to know
Florida Legislative session adjourns on Friday, March 13
Miami Herald
How does Miami-Dade County spend your property taxes?
If Florida voters approve big cuts in property taxes, that would mean a sharp drop in revenue that Miami-Dade counts on to fund public safety, transportation and the county hospital system.
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
Legislature settles on increase to sovereign immunity caps
The House concurred with Senate desires to boost limits to $350K per individual and $500K per incident.
Click Orlando
Florida legislature ends session without budget; special session looms
$1.4 billion gap remains between House and Senate budget proposals
TC Palm
Florida bill allows Blue Ribbon developers to avoid local land-use rules
Once the Florida Department of Commerce approves a “Blue Ribbon Project,” local governments have little say in the development.
Citrus County Chronicle
Ban on local government ‘net-zero’ policies clears Legislature on final vote
The Florida Senate has voted final approval of an amended tax bill (HB 1217) to ban local governments in Florida from using net-zero policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions — the primary driver of climate change.
Florida Politics
House undoes Senate changes to Live Local Act update, sends amended bill back across rotunda
Lawmakers have amended the Live Local Act twice since its 2023 passage as they continue refining Florida’s flagship affordable housing policy.
FAC 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.