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?’”