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
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
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
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.