FAC News Clips – March 25, 2024

LEGISLATION 

Florida Politics 

The effort to get Gov. DeSantis to veto short-term vacation rental bill accelerates  

Gov. DeSantis hasn’t commented publicly about SB 280. 

 

Orlando Sentinel  

Commentary: Public-camping rule will only make homeless problem worse  

On April 22, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear the case of Grants Pass v. Johnson, which addresses the right of people experiencing homelessness to stay and sleep on public land if no other option is available.   

 

Florida Politics 

Gov. DeSantis signs bill banning localities from blocking demolition, replacement of old, coastal buildings  

It was a hot-button issue for many oceanside cities. 

 

COUNTY 

Citrus County Chronicle 

County eyes grant to combat pollution of Homosassa River  

For years, the concern along the Homosassa River has been the leaking of fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals into the water. 

 

CYBERSECURITY  

Route-Fifty 

States warned of ‘recent and ongoing’ cyber threats to critical infrastructure  

The EPA and White House acknowledged water systems and other utilities “often lack the resources” to adopt rigorous cybersecurity measures. They want to partner to bolster the current efforts of state and local governments. 

FAC News Clips – March 20, 2024

LEGISLATION 

Pensacola News Journal  

Florida homeless prepare for law banning tents, sleeping in public  

‘We’re … going to say no matter what, these public spaces have to be protected,’ the bill’s sponsor said. 

 

Florida Politics 

Gov. DeSantis signs ban on public sleeping, forcing localities to pay to enforce anti-homeless measure  

The Governor says the bill will keep streets ‘clean’ and ‘safe’ for residents. 

 

COUNTY 

WLRN 

Miami-Dade’s push to protect outdoor workers dies after state ban. What’s next?  

Outdoor workers in Miami-Dade looking for water, breaks and shade from the sweltering South Florida sun went to their politicians for help. But after powerful pushback from agriculture and construction lobbyists, on Tuesday Miami-Dade County Commission put an end to a landmark bill that would’ve protected 80,000 outdoor workers. 

 

WGCU 

Lee Commissioners accept ResilientLee Recovery and Resilience Plan  

The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to accept the ResilientLee Recovery and Resilience Plan, a product of the Long-Term Recovery Task Force, which included more than 200 community members. 

 

WJHG 

Bay County Commissioner William Dozier announces retirement  

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) -Bay County Commissioner William Dozier announced Tuesday morning that he is retiring. 

 

AFFORDABLE HOUSING 

WGCU 

Biden plans affordable housing aid for Fla and elsewhere  

There may be hope yet for Floridians trying to find affordable housing. 

FAC News Clips – March 19, 2024

WUSF 

A Florida bill could clear the way for farmworker housing 

Florida’s agriculture industry hopes a newly passed bill that would limit local regulations on farmworker housing will bring in more non-immigrant foreign workers. 

 

News Pub 

State preemption bills have a good year at the Florida Legislature  

The 2024 Florida Legislature passed a number of bills that would take away authority from local governments. Known as preemption bills, they were cleared for issues ranging from local wages to vacation rentals to affordable housing. Some of those that failed this year will likely be back next year. 

 

COUNTY 

Bay News 9 

Osceola County continues free college program for high school graduates  

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — On Monday night, Osceola County commissioners unanimously voted in favor of approving their Osceola Prosper Program, a free college tuition program for high school graduates in Osceola County. 

 

The Ledger 

Federal package offers $17.5 million for several Polk County road projects  

Polk County projects will receive millions of dollars in funding from a package of federal spending bills recently signed by President Joe Biden. 

 

Fort Myers Beach Talk 

State legislature approves aid for Fort Myers Beach  

The Florida Legislature has approved funds to help aid the Town of Fort Myers Beach in rebuilding its town hall and to replace revenue lost due to Hurricane Ian. 

 

Keys News 

County to take up accepting new building allocations  

The Monroe County Commission this week will take public input and discuss accepting possibly 8,000 new state-issued building allocations and adding seven additional hours to the hurricane evacuation timeframe. 

FAC News Clips – March 12, 2024

AFFORDABLE HOUSING 

WLRN 

At least $1.5 billion needed to make dent in Miami-Dade affordable housing needs, report finds  

A housing advocacy group has released calculations on an estimated price tag of making a considerable dent in the housing affordability crisis gripping Miami-Dade County, at a time when it’s considering a plan that could pump up to $800 million in affordable housing projects. 

 

LEGISALTION 

The Islander  

‘Troubling’ vacation rental bill on governor’s desk  

The city of Anna Maria’s annual battle to oppose the preemption of vacation rental regulations to the state might be ending in defeat. 

 

WUWF 

10 dead issues in the 2024 session  

When Florida lawmakers went home after ending the 2024 legislative session Friday, they left behind hundreds of bills that did not pass. Here are snapshots of 10 issues that died during the session: 

 

WMNF 

Florida lawmakers reject changes to a law requiring municipal officials to disclose finances  

TALLAHASSEE — Amid state and federal court challenges, Florida lawmakers have rejected an attempt to change a 2023 law that requires municipal officials to disclose detailed information about their personal finances. 

 

Sanibel-Captiva 

State restrictions on local fertilizer bans opposed  

Given the recent releases from Lake Okeechobee, a Sanibel City Council member joined more than 50 other elected officials from around the state calling on Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Legislature to reject any legislation that would attempt to restrict the ability of local municipalities to regulate the use of fertilizer. 

FAC News Clips – March 5, 2024

LEGISLATION 

WUWF 

Florida cities want to ban noisy gas leaf blowers, go electric. Tallahassee may stop that  

Across Florida, cities have been making the switch from noisy gas-powered leaf blowers to electric ones, citing benefits like quieter lawn care, less air pollution and fewer atmosphere-warming emissions. 

 

Palm Beach Daily News 

2024 Session: Millions in last-minute spending help seal Florida budget deal  

Tucking in millions of dollars in additional spending on hometown projects and state programs, Florida House and Senate budget negotiators completed work on a state spending plan for next year – setting up the Legislature for an on-time Friday finish.   

 

WUWF 

Florida lawmakers are close to passing a bill preempting civilian oversight of police  

The Florida Legislature has voted overwhelmingly to curtail civilian oversight of law enforcement or correctional officers. The measure would preempt the authority of local governments in cases of police misconduct. 

 

Florida Politics 

Sprinkle list: South Florida gets 4.5% cut of last-minute budget earmarks  

Florida’s 3 most populous and well-to-do counties are getting about $30M combined. 

 

Florida Politics 

Senate prepares homeless camping ban backed by Ron DeSantis for final vote  

Florida is ready to crack down on homelessness, and let local jurisdictions foot the bill for the state’s scheme. 

 

AFFORDABLE HOUSING 

WUWF 

Florida lawmakers pass legislation to change Live Local Act, affordable housing law  

Some changes are coming to last year’s landmark housing law, known as the Live Local Act. 

 

COUNTY 

Fox 13 

State legislators holding final discussions on Hillsborough County transportation tax  

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – After years of in-fighting, time is running out for legislators to decide how to spend nearly $600,000,000 collected from the now defunct Hillsborough Transportation Surtax.   

 

Tampa Bay Times 

Hillsborough commissioner wants $200K back from county elections office  

Josh Wostal says a drop in active registered voters means elections supervisor Craig Latimer’s budget should get cut. 

 

WTXL 

“Shut them down” – Neighbors ask Gadsden Co. Commissioners for ordinance against illegal internet cafes  

Neighbors are asking Gadsden County Commissioners to create an ordinance to ban illegal internet cafes across the county. 

FAC News Clips – March 4, 2024

LEGISLATION 

Florida Politics 

Legislature on precipice of needed fixes to Florida’s PACE program  

Most who utilize this financing are low-to-moderate income homeowners for whom traditional bank financing frequently isn’t an option. 

 

CBS 12 

Florida elected officials challenge expansion of financial disclosure law  

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — In a legal battle against Florida’s Commission on Ethics, nearly 80 elected officials, including some from the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast, are challenging the recently expanded Form 6 requirement, calling it a government overreach. 

 

Miami Herald 

As Florida advances camping ban, Orlando’s homeless ask, ‘Where are we supposed to go?’   

ORLANDO, Fla. – As Florida officials move to ban people from sleeping on public property, Peter Roberts wonders where he’ll be forced to go. 

  

COUNTY 

WLRN 

Addressing transportation issues in Florida and Hillsborough County  

Wherever you are in Florida, driving can be a pain. 

 

Palm Beach Daily News 

‘Taxpayers need a break’: But League of Cities argues county is replacing one tax with another 

County commissioners are prepared to let the infrastructure surtax die and instead introduce a transportation surtax. Voters must approve the implementation of any surtax.