Calendar
Work With Counties
News Clips
Subscribe
Studio 67FAC News Clips – December 18, 2025
COUNTY
WTSP
Hillsborough County approves major water, wastewater impact fee hikes with slower rollout
Hillsborough County commissioners unanimously approved steep water and wastewater impact fee increases on new development, but agreed to phase them.
Action News Jax
Developer is taking legal action after St. Johns County denied planned rural development
- JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — After St. Johns County denied a development proposal to bring more than 200 homes to an area on County Road 214, the developer is challenging that decision in court.
LEGISLATION
Bradenton Times
Florida lawmakers promote ‘Blue Ribbon’ developers at public’s expense
A trail leads through a forest in St. Johns County.
First Coast News
St. Johns County struggles with new state law that limits home rule
The county questions if it should submit a “watered-down” version of its comprehensive plan to comply with a new state law … or wait for the law to be reversed.
WCTV
Florida bill could raise sales tax by 3 percent
One-third of all proceeds collected under the new sales tax would go to fund the Florida Education Finance Program
PROPERTY TAXES
Tampa Bay Times
Floridians, let’s talk about those property tax cuts | Column
Forgive me for killing your seasonal buzz with a holiday downer on property taxes.
Click Orlando
More property tax amendments just hit Florida. Here’s the full list
If approved by lawmakers and voters, new amendments take effect in 2027
DOGE
South Florida Reporter
CFO Ingoglia Unveils Legislation To Make Local Officals More Accountable
TAMPA — Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Blaise Ingoglia previewed legislation Wednesday meant to increase spending accountability and transparency for local government officials, with penalties for noncompliance including fines and removal from office.
FAC News Clips – December 16, 2025
COUNTY
WTXL
Wakulla County citizens express concerns overdevelopment
Two-state laws discussed at the meeting have propelled Wakulla County citizens’ ongoing concerns about overdevelopment in the county
WTXL
Leon County to consider consolidation with City
Two government agencies just a short distance apart from each other could be consolidating.
My News 13
Orange County leaders weigh possible transportation tax plan
ORLANDO, Fla. — Paying for transportation and mass transit in Central Florida is a multi-billion dollar challenge for Orange County leaders amid continuing population growth.
LEGISLATION
Florida Bar
Sovereign immunity reform bill clears final House committee
A Southwest Florida lawmaker’s latest attempt to reform Florida’s sovereign immunity laws is ready for the House floor after clearing a final committee.
WFSU
Florida is trying to halt constitutional challenges to a growth law
With a judge slated to hear arguments this week, the state is trying to short-circuit constitutional challenges to a new law that blocks cities and counties from approving “more restrictive or burdensome” changes to growth plans.
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Politics
Study: Property tax cuts, elimination would hit Florida’s rural communities hardest
Rural cities already devote most of their property tax revenue to basic services, leaving little room to absorb new tax cuts.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The Bradenton Times
States will keep pushing AI laws despite Trump’s efforts to stop them
A billboard advertises an artificial intelligence company in San Francisco in September 2025. California is among the states leading the way on AI regulations, but an executive order signed by President Donald Trump seeks to override state laws on the technology.
WBPF
DeSantis outlines AI concerns while proposing protective laws for Floridians
“This is basically protecting against this technology running amuck in a way that can be harmful to individuals,” DeSantis proposes AI “Bill of Rights,” citing concerns over the job market, data privacy and child safety in Florida.
FAC News Clips – December 15, 2025
COUNTY
Naples Daily News
Proposal to privatize Collier County’s tourism bureau inches forward
A proposal to privatize tourism marketing efforts in Collier County has inched forward.
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Politics
Daniel Perez predicts ‘fiscally conservative’ Session, remains bullish on property taxes
The 2026 Legislative Session doesn’t officially start until Jan. 13, but lawmakers have already been meeting to plan and discuss bills.
Yahoo News
Questions surround Governor’s plan to cover lost property tax revenue in constrained counties
Governor Ron DeSantis wants to set aside $300 million in the state budget to help backfill revenues that stand to be lost by Florida’s 29 fiscally constrained counties, should his plan to eliminate property taxes pass.
Wear TV
Escambia commissioner opposes DeSantis plan to cut property taxes, urges public awareness
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. — Elected leaders are pushing back against a plan by Governor Ron DeSantis to eliminate property taxes.
Miami Times
Study: Eliminating or slashing property taxes would deeply undermine city services in Florida
A new study from the Florida League of Cities details how eliminating or sharply reducing homestead property taxes would create sweeping fiscal disruptions and weaken essential services.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Miami Times
Trump signs order intended to block states from regulating AI
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday night that aims to preempt states from enacting rules governing artificial intelligence, a major departure from the typical federalist structure of American government that Trump said was necessary because of the issue’s high stakes.
Florida Politics
The Governor isn’t backing down in his push to regulate artificial intelligence.
FAC News Clips – December 11, 2025
COUNTY
TC Palm
Florida history: Origins of county names, from Alachua to Washington
Did you know Palm Beach County was carved out of Dade County in 1909?
First Coast News
Baker County honors late Commissioner James Bennett, remembering his lasting community impact
The Baker County community held a procession for County Commissioner James Bennett, who was killed in a car crash.
WBPF
Martin County sinks derelict ship and welcomes new artificial reef
MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — Martin County has expanded its artificial reef program with the addition of the Boo McCulley Reef, located about 9 miles offshore, using a sunken cargo ship to create a habitat for marine life.
My News 13
Duke Energy Florida wraps Sumter, Hernando solar energy
FLORIDA — Duke Energy Florida has completed two new solar energy sites, Half Moon Renewable Energy Center in Sumter County and Rattler Renewable Energy Center in Hernando County, the company announced Wednesday.
LEGISLATION
Planet Radio
GOP Florida Governor Candidate Wants Special Session On Property Tax Relief
There’s a call for a special session on property tax relief from a former Florida House Speaker.
Space Coast Daily
Gov. Ron DeSantis Announces the ‘Floridians First 2026-2027 Budget’
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Governor Ron DeSantis announced the 2026–2027 state budget — dubbed the ‘Floridians First 2026‑2027 Budget’ — presenting a plan that seeks to reinforce fiscal discipline while advancing investments across education, infrastructure, public safety, and environmental protection.
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Politics
House committee backs property tax relief amendment as local governments fear the consequences
Wednesday’s vote sparked a fierce debate on property tax relief.
Orlando Sentinel
Property tax proposal advances, teed up in the Florida House
TALLAHASSEE — A proposed constitutional amendment that would increase the homestead property-tax exemption for residents who have property insurance is ready to go to the full Florida House after the 2026 legislative session starts in January.
Tampa Bay Times
DeSantis’ final Florida budget proposal pushes for property tax cut
His proposal also puts money toward state parks and expanding the guardian program.
WPTV
Backfill or backfire? DeSantis’ plan to replace local tax dollars draws debate
ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is pitching a $117 billion state budget for the next fiscal year, about two billion more than the current, $114.8 billion.
FAC News Clips – December 10, 2025
COUNTY
Tallahassee Democrat
Leon hires consultant to explore setting up county fire department
County government is moving ahead at looking into the creation of their own fire station after voting unanimously to hire a consultant for nearly $110,000 to craft a report on what this new venture would entail.
WDBO
Walt Disney World files several lawsuits against Orange County
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Walt Disney World has filed 15 lawsuits against Orange County over property tax assessments for its theme parks and resorts, claiming excessive taxation.
WTSP
Citrus County bans any new medical marijuana dispensaries from opening
County commissioners reversed a November decision as local treatment centers warn a ban could raise prices and limit care.
WCTV
Voters to decide if they support combining Tallahassee governments
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – In a late-night vote, Leon County commissioners voted to add a non-binding referendum to the 2026 ballot that would allow voters to indicate if they want the City of Tallahassee and Leon County government to combine.
Click Orlando
News 6 examines SCOUT ride efficiency
WUWF
Okaloosa County joins the fight against an Alabama carbon dioxide storage hub
Okaloosa County Commissioners unanimously agreed to reach out to state and federal legislators to oppose a 74,000-acre carbon storage hub potentially located in Florala, Alabama.
WUWF
Santa Rosa County considers new public fund for land conservation
The Santa Rosa County Commission is looking at options for establishing a dedicated funding source for land conservation in the county.
STATE
WUWF
Florida’s state parks need creative ways to raise more revenue
Florida’s state parks are in need of repair. A new state study says a backlog of projects includes everything from staff housing to replacing septic tanks.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Midflorida Newspaper
Trump eyes AI regulation amid Florida attention
TALLAHASSEE — President Donald Trump on Monday pushed again for the federal government to control regulation of artificial intelligence as Florida lawmakers begin to delve into the effects of AI on the state.
DOGE
WPTV
$344M overspending claim ‘not transparent,’ county administrator says
County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo says Florida CFO’s speech was ‘based on personal opinion’
LEGISLATION
Greene Publishing
Proposed legislation seeks to correct problems created by Senate Bill 180
Two bills introduced in the Florida Legislature for the coming 2026 legislative session aim to correct some of the problems created by last year’s controversial law that prevents local governments from updating their comprehensive plans and land-use regulations if they were affected by any of three major hurricanes in 2024.
FAC News Clips – December 9, 2025
COUNTIES
Action News Jax
James Bennett, JAXPORT COO, Baker County commissioner dies in I-10 crash
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — James Bennett, a Baker County commissioner and Chief Operating Officer of JAXPORT, was killed Monday morning in a crash on Interstate 10.
Tallahassee Democrat
Leon County staff to present report on government consolidation
Leon County is taking a deep dive into their options in regards to government consolidation, a conversation sparked amid the growing schism between the county and the city of Tallahassee over fire fees.
LEGISLATION
Tallahassee Reports
Albritton Plans Quick Vote on ‘Rural Renaissance’
After the proposal died in the House during the 2025 session, Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, said Monday the Senate will take up his “rural renaissance” plan during the first week of the 2026 legislative session.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Florida Phoenix
‘AI Week’ crashed by Trump-DeSantis battle over regulation: What’s next?
Florida House plans comprehensive, multi-committee study of technology’s implications.
PROPERTY TAXES
Sun Sentinel
A tax on land is the most conservative tax | Opinion
Florida has no income or inheritance taxes, and next November, Gov. DeSantis will ask voters to eliminate property taxes, too.
Florida Politics
Ben Albritton on the future of property tax proposals in the Senate: ‘We’re still measuring’
‘It’s not that simple.’
Florida Politics
Paul Renner wants a Special Session to immediately roll back property taxes to 2024 levels
‘Floridians are losing faith in conservative leadership due to inaction.’