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Studio 67FAC News Clips – April 28, 2025
COUNTY
ABC Action News
Pinellas County mobile home owners hope county will use federal funding to help
The county was recently awarded $813 million in federal relief to help meet unmet needs that still exist after recent hurricanes
WFTV
Volusia County’s Veterans Memorial Plaza in Daytona Beach
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Almost 300 veterans, community figures and supporters gathered for a heartfelt celebration marking the grand opening of Volusia County’s Veterans Memorial Plaza in Daytona Beach.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Tampa Bay Times
Pasco County OKs accessory dwelling units. 1 commissioner isn’t happy.
WESLEY CHAPEL — Pasco County adopted an ordinance allowing accessory dwelling units, but the decision didn’t come without some serious debate, especially from one of the idea’s earliest supporters.
LEGISLATION
Palm Beach News
Session snarled by controversies, GOP infighting with DeSantis
Budget talks are at a standstill, claims of “defamation” and “fraud” are being slung among Republican leaders – and Democrats can’t avoid dysfunction either.
Citrus County Chronicle
County tourism director: House bills threaten local economy
Tourism Director Auvis Cole is warning that two proposed Florida House bills — HB 1221 and HB 7033 — could have devastating effects on Citrus County’s tourism-driven economy.
Islander News
Florida House passes $5B in tax cuts as battle with Senate and governor looms
The House on Friday voted, 78-29, to pass a $5 billion tax relief package, with most of the opposition involving changes to the collection of tourist development dollars.
Florida Politics
School bus safety program could get an overhaul, thanks to an assist from the Pinellas Sheriff
Bob Gualtieri had sharp words for the program, calling it a ‘cash cow’ for camera vendors.
FAC News Clips – April 25, 2025
COUNTY
Orlando Sentinel
Osceola takes steps to lead in state’s semiconductor industry
New project at NeoCity in Kissimmee seeks to train workers and attract businesses from around world
BROADBAND
Route-Fifty
A lagging broadband program faces more delays as Trump plans changes
States will have an additional 90 days to submit their final plans for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program.
TDT
Tampa Bay Times
Florida’s tourism model is working. Don’t destroy it | Column
Florida’s economy is the envy of the nation and many countries around the world, and tourism is the engine that makes it run.
Sun Sentinel
Tourism advocates raise alarms over property tax relief plan
The heads of the agencies that promote tourism in the Sunshine State are contacting Florida legislators with a dire warning about a plan to provide property tax relief throughout the state: The plan will backfire, costing thousands of jobs and millions in lost revenue.
LEGISLATION
Bay News 9
GOP dispute on sales tax; Top Democrat leaves party
After weeks of discussion and debate on a state budget, it now appears Florida’s legislative session will not end on May 2, as previously scheduled.
Florida Politics
Lee Co. single-member district bill wins over House members
A Representative married to a Lee Commissioner elected at large spoke out against the bill.
Florida Politics
Senate to reconsider zoning bill already voted down on the floor
Jason Pizzo, who voted against the legislation Wednesday, motioned for the chamber to reconsider.
FAC News Clips – April 24, 2025
COUNTY
Alachua Chronicle
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – At the April 22 Alachua County Commission meeting, the board decided against paving some road segments that were not included in their 10-year plan, moved forward with a major update to their tree code, and asked staff to look at drawing new County Commission districts that mirror the overall county demographics.
Click Orlando
Central Florida counties now under ‘extreme drought’ — what it means for you
Areas of Marion, Lake, Volusia under 2nd-highest drought category
First Coast News
Are the Jaguars heading to Orlando’s Camping World Stadium
The CEO of Florida Citrus Sports estimated each Jaguars home game in Orlando could net $20 million.
TDT
Orlando Sentinel
Florida House eyes ‘sweeping’ change to hotel taxes
TALLAHASSEE — A significant source of tax revenue for Orlando’s tourism industry is in flux as the Florida House eyes using money collected from visitors to give homeowners a property tax break.
WPTV
Why tourism councils could be on the chopping block in Florida
Florida hit another tourism record in 2024, with 142.9 million visitors.
Fox 13
Bay Area leaders weigh in as Florida House debates reworking tourism tax laws
- PETERSBURG, Fla. – A bill that’s just starting to make its way through the Florida House is ruffling some feathers, specifically within the tourism industry.
WPBF
‘Not the right one’: Tourism officials in Palm Beach County concerned about bill that would
PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Some tourism industry experts in South Florida are raising red flags about HB 1221, saying it could make it harder to attract visitors to the Sunshine State.
LEGISLATION
Daytona Times
State lawmakers consider bill to keep secret their home addresses, phone numbers
GAINESVILLE – A bill in Florida’s Legislature would shield personal information like home addresses and phone numbers for elected officials.
Sun Sentinel
DeSantis questions Broward’s ‘massive’ budget increases
Gov. Ron DeSantis took another swing at Broward on Wednesday, asserting the county has had a “massive” increase in its spending in recent years.
Click Orlando
Florida Senate rejects bill with measure to bypass voter-approved rural boundary rules
Bill opposed by environmentalists, local governments
St. Augustine Record
Florida House tax plan ensnares tourism industry amid DeSantis spat
House and Senate budget and tax cut negotiators are running out of time to reach a deal and end the legislative session on time.
FAC News Clips – April 22, 2025
COUNTY
The Daytona Beach News-Journal
Florida drought worse, 92 wildfires. See forecast
Florida’s drought continues to worsen and the number of wildfires burning in the state is going up.
Positively Osceola
Osceola County’s New Digital Permit Alert System to Provide Easier Access to Residents
The Osceola County Board of County Commissioners has announced announce the launch of the County’s Web-Based Permit Notification System, an innovative platform designed to enhance communication with citizens regarding local developments.
Click Orlando
Orange County aims to attract Jacksonville Jaguars, WWE, UFC events
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The push to transform Central Florida into a sports destination continues.
Click Orlando
Local commissioner looks to crack down on illegal immigration in Lake County
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – A Lake County commissioner aims to discuss the possibility of a local immigration law similar to Senate Bill 4-C.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
WUWF
FEMA cuts make landfall weeks before Florida’s hurricane season begins
The city of St. Petersburg asked the federal government for almost $34 million to help fund local projects that would protect the city from natural disasters.
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
Gov. DeSantis bashes House Everglades budget plan
‘Their agenda is not your agenda.’
Florida Politics
House tax amendment calls for big changes to TDT funding
The House Budget Committee is scheduled to debate the issue at its upcoming 3:30 p.m. Tuesday meeting.
WCTV
Franklin County Commission supports house bill to ban oil drilling near Apalachicola Bay
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – A proposal to ban oil exploration and drilling near the Apalachicola River passed unanimously last week in the Florida House of Representatives.
Florida Politics
House plan would force property tax relief by expanding exemptions for affordable housing
‘We are telling them to give relief … It is not an option.’
Florida Phoenix
Local governments could continue to create CRAs under bill amended in Senate committee
Local government officials who believe in the power of Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) to revitalize blighted areas will be able to continue to create those special districts under an amended bill that passed in the Senate Rules Committee on Monday.
Florida Politics
RV parks would enjoy added exemptions under latest House tax package
This could be good news for campers and campgrounds.
FAC News Clips – April 21, 2025
COUNTY
Your Observer
New Government Relations department promotes Manatee County
Out of 67 counties in Florida, only 16 have dedicated Government Relations departments, and Manatee County now is part of that group.
TECH
Florida Phoenix
Trump is shifting cybersecurity to the states, but many aren’t prepared
Only 22 of 48 states in a Nationwide Cybersecurity Review met recommended security levels.
Route-Fifty
How local governments are keeping AI under control
In the absence of national legislation, such governments are increasingly adopting AI governance policies and practices on their own, one expert says.
LEGISLATION
North Escambia
Florida House Approves Salzman Plan For Term Limits On County Commissioners
The Florida House on Wednesday passed a joint resolution to amend the Florida Constitution to include term limits on county commissioners and school board members.
FAC News Clips – April 17, 2025
COUNTY
Health News Florida
Manatee the latest to end fluoridating public drinking water
The county commission’s 5-1 vote comes after it learned its fluoridation system has been broken since 2021, and no fluoride has been actively added since then.
Fox 13
Pinellas County commissioners discuss moving to a county mayor instead of county administrator
- PETERSBURG, Fla. – Pinellas County voters could get the chance to decide on what form of government they want.
WESH
Orange Co. committee seeks public input for redistricting
ORLANDO, Fla. — The public got an opportunity to weigh in on redistricting within Orange County.
ABC Action News
Duke Energy helps train Pinellas County first responders on electrical safety
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — When you call for help, you know first responders will jump into action.
My Suncoast
Manatee County creating local DOGE committee
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – Finding efficiencies in government spending is an issue taking up a lot of oxygen in Washington, D.C.
TAXES
WTXL
Leon County community weighs in on property tax cut discussions
The elimination of property taxes has been discussed during this legislative session
Fox 13
Florida Senate tees up tax plan for talks
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Despite vastly divergent approaches with the House on tax cuts amid global economic uncertainty, a Senate leader Tuesday said he remains optimistic an agreement can be reached before the end of the legislative session.
Click Orlando
Major Florida bill pushes for big tax changes statewide. Here’s what to know
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A Florida bill aimed at expanding tax breaks for Florida residents got its first legs on Tuesday after being approved by a Senate committee.
LEGISLATION
Daily Commercial
Tensions rise as Perez accuses Gov. DeSantis of misleading Floridians
Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez accused Gov. Ron DeSantis of lying about the House’s proposed budget, saying the governor was “emotional” and throwing “temper tantrums” by lashing out at the chamber over its oversight of his administration.
Fox 4 Now
Florida Legislature pushing bill to control over regulating plastics
SANIBEL, Fla. — Almost every day people use single-use containers, but unfortunately a lot of those containers end up on the ground and ultimately into the environment.
Florida Politics
House passes bill to allow big counties to set overnight anchoring limitations
‘This important piece of legislation is essential to preserving Florida’s waterways for generations to come.’
Florida Politics
House advances path to tighten term limits for School Boards, County Commissions
Will the Senate agree?
Florida Politics
House passes higher payout caps for lawsuits against governments, but Senate support in doubt
House lawmakers appear far keener on increasing the caps than their Senate colleagues.