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Studio 67FAC News Clips – April 28, 2026
COUNTY
WTXL
Local governments reviewing programs after DeSantis signs DEI crackdown
DOWNTOWN TALLAHASSEE, FL — Programs benefiting minority communities could be on the chopping block after Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation cracking down on diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.
The Apopka Voice
Partnership with Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund will integrate financial counseling and recovery support into disaster preparedness efforts
WPTV
County nears completion of a $15 million beach renourishment project
Crews dumped nearly 400,000 cubic yards of sand on a four-mile stretch of shoreline at Bob Graham Beach
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Politics
Gov. DeSantis still doesn’t have language, votes for ‘revolutionary’ property tax repeal plan
The plan has been teased all year, but the Governor’s Office doesn’t know how it wants to ‘structure’ it.
LEGSLATION
Florida Politics
DeSantis’s map redraw targets Jared Moskowitz, Debbie Wasserman Schultz
The plan would carve up Broward County, shifting coastal and inland voters into dramatically reconfigured districts.
FAC News Clips – April 24, 2026
COUNTY
Wink News
FEMA approves $97M for Florida disaster recovery projects
LAKE MARY, Fla. (WINK)—FEMA announced nearly $97 million in funding to support recovery for past disasters in Florida for Public Assistance projects.
WFLA
Pinellas County sees record-breaking tourism numbers for the start of 2026
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Tourism is booming for Pinellas County as the county recorded its highest-ever hotel bed tax collections for both January and February this year.
DATA CENTERS
WGCU
Okee-One data center in Okeechobee scuttled by county officials
After significant public outcry over excessive electric and water use by data centers, the Okeechobee Board of County Commissioners Thursday decided to scrap a land-use proposal that would have re-designated agricultural land in southern Okeechobee to technology land.
Route-Fifty
Local governments race to attract data centers, often in spite of concerns from their constituents
Communities are sounding the alarm on an industry that stands to have a far greater impact beyond the walls of its warehouses.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Florida Phoenix
Sen. ‘Darth Vader’ wants to rewrite the state’s growth management laws
Ocala GOP Sen. Stan McClain says it’s time for a conversation on adapting Florida Chapter 163.
DOGE
Florida Politics
St. Pete audit finds no wrongdoing despite Blaise Ingoglia’s wasteful spending claims
The findings contrast criticism from Ingoglia, who earlier this year said the city overspent by $49.4M.
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Politics
But if they don’t pass what he wants, he’ll simply call another Special Session.
WTXL
Neighbors weigh in on lawmaker property tax relief plans
Governor Ron DeSantis said Thursday he plans to call a special session specifically for property tax relief, adding that he wants to see “historic” reform.
LEGISLATION
Orlando Sentinel
Lawmakers reach budget deal, set new May special session
TALLAHASSEE — More than one month after ending the regular session without passing a budget, legislative leaders said Thursday they have a deal on top-line spending levels.
Florida Politics
Special Session to finalize budget set for May 12-29
Senate President Ben Albritton’s memo didn’t spell out other topics to address in the Special Session.
WFSU
Florida municipalities face more limits under new DEI and climate laws
Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed two measures significantly limiting what Florida’s cities and counties can do with diversity, equity and inclusion and environmental initiatives.
FAC News Clips – April 23, 2026
COUNTY
WGCU
Opposition to data centers mounts; more could come to rural Okeechobee County
Much of southern Okeechobee County is zoned as agricultural land but a proposal to be discussed the county board Thursday could drastically change the rural landscape in this area of grazing cattle and widely scattered housing.
WGCU
As development booms, Sarasota County faces $1.7 billion transportation shortfall
Any driver who has sat through rush hour traffic on one of Sarasota County’s major thoroughfares has experienced the problem firsthand.
PROPERTY TAXES
Miami Herald
Where is DeSantis’ Florida property tax proposal?
When Florida lawmakers return to the state Capitol next week at Ron DeSantis’ behest, one of the governor’s biggest, most-consequential priorities won’t be on the agenda: cutting property taxes.
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
Budget coming: House and Senate agree on allocations, Session expected in May
Allocations pave the way for budget conferences to begin.
Florida Politics
Governor signs bill shutting down local climate change efforts
Florida blocks local climate efforts as state leaders clash over energy policy.
Florida Politics
Gov. DeSantis signs measure to change how RV parks are assessed for local fees
Officials may need new data from park operators as occupancy rates become part of the assessment formula.
Flagler Live
DeSantis Signs Bill Banning Local Governments from Implementing Diversity and Fairness Policies
Soon Florida cities and counties will be banned from funding or promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and enacting net zero policies that cut down on greenhouse gases.
Florida Phoenix
DeSantis pressures House to pass AI Bill of Rights, references FSU shooting
“I think voters are going to look and say, ‘Why are you siding with big tech against the people of this state?’”
FAC News Clips – April 22, 2026
COUNTY
Spectrum News
Hillsborough approves $95 million plan to tackle flooding
TAMPA, Fla. — Hillsborough County commissioners have signed off on an ambitious set of stormwater improvement projects aimed at reducing flooding and strengthening infrastructure across the region.
CFPM
Orange County chips ICE out of federal agreement, still must accept detainees at jail
Orange County commissioners and Mayor Jerry Demings voted unanimously Tuesday to terminate the section of the county’s Intergovernmental Service Agreement relevant to housing immigration detainees.
DATA CENTERS
Tampa Bay Times
DeSantis officials gave $1.5M to data center campus. They say they were tricked.
The state college behind the plan said the backlash is all based on misinformation.
FEDERAL
Light Reading
Industry groups, local governments at odds over broadband bill
Telecom industry associations are urging Congress to pass a House bill to reform broadband permitting processes, but groups representing local governments and communities are actively opposing the measure.
LEGISLATION
WFSU
Gov. DeSantis has signed a bill making it easier to develop farmland
Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed legislation supporters say boosts property rights and helps address Florida’s housing shortage, while critics warn it may increase sprawl and weaken local control.
Click Orlando
DeSantis gets 20 new Florida bills on his desk. Here’s the full list
Nearly 40 laws now signed by Gov. DeSantis so far this year
FAC News Clips – April 21, 2026
COUNTY
WTXL
Leon County historic harms charter amendment undergoing redrafts
DOWNTOWN TALLAHASSEE, Fl — A proposed Leon County Charter amendment aimed at analyzing how historical policies shaped local spending is being redrafted amid concerns it conflicts with anti-DEI legislation.
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Politics
With no clear proposal from the Governor’s Office and time running short, Perez says it’s ‘tough to hear this rhetoric over and over again’ from DeSantis.
Islander News
Miami property tax rebate available for eligible seniors
The City of Miami will issue rebates covering its share of property taxes for qualifying senior homeowners under a new relief program approved by commissioners
North Escambia
Libraries Facing Potential $4 Million Hit, Branch Closures If Property Tax Cuts Pass
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has pushed for more than a year for a major overhaul of the Florida tax system, including letting voters decide on property taxes.
B&G
“For years, opinion surveys have identified property taxes as the ones Americans hate the most,” according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).
DATA CENTERS
Route-Fifty
How government leaders can balance the pros and cons of data center development
Policy and partnerships with tech companies can give state and local leaders a lever to ensure data centers are developed responsibly and sustainable, experts said during a recent webinar.
LEGISLATION
Bradenton Times
Florida’s ‘AI Bill of Rights’: What happened, what’s in it, and what’s next?
DeSantis is trying to drive his AI Bill of Rights to the finish line.
FAC News Clips – April 20, 2026
COUNTY
Pensacola News Journal
Santa Rosa Local Option Sales Tax referendum language draws opposition
Ballot language that could prove controversial will be introduced at an April 23 public hearing as Santa Rosa County rolls out its bid to convince citizens to vote in November to support the reinstatement of a half-cent local option sales tax.
CW34
Martin County celebrates permanent preservation of over 2,000 acres
INDIANTOWN, Fla. (CBS12) — Martin County officials gathered at Timer Powers Park on Friday to celebrate the permanent preservation of more than 2,000 acres.
TECHNOLOGY
Florida Politics
Altamonte Springs embraces AI technology to save taxpayer money, City Manager says
AI technology is helping one Seminole County city run more efficiently.
Orlando Sentinel
Do data centers really use so much water? Here are 5 key issues
Concerns about water usage by large data centers have been especially heightened in rural areas, where many residents rely on well water.
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Politics
Gov. DeSantis promises Special Session on property taxes, but when?
‘There’s obviously a strategy involved’ in timing his release of the details to place before voters, he says.
LEGISLATION
Midflorida Newspaper
Legislators ‘not quite there’ on budget talks
TALLAHASSEE — House and Senate leaders still don’t have a deal on topline budget numbers, although offers continue to be exchanged between the chambers, one top negotiator said Friday.