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Studio 67FAC News Clips – January 8, 2026
COUNTY
Levy Citizen
The Levy County Board of County Commissioners convened Tuesday, January 6, 2026, for its first meeting of the new year, an agenda that was short on paper but long in discussion.
Florida Politics
Gov. DeSantis awards $168M to rural communities for infrastructure improvements
The state grants will help areas hit hard by last year’s hurricanes.
HOUSING
TC Palm
HUD affordable housing policy may leave families homeless, in shelters
Homeless shelters and affordable housing programs like Section 8 are already under strain.
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Politics
Governor teases Special Session to abolish homestead property tax
Besides being the right thing to do, DeSantis thinks a single ballot item will ‘juice’ turnout for Republicans in November.
LEGISLATION
Ocala News
New legislation introduced in the Florida Senate and House of Representatives could finally set a concrete timeline for the restoration of the Ocklawaha River, while offering Marion County significant influence over the process and a dedicated economic development program.
My News 13
Lawmakers may spend more time in Tallahassee this year
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida’s regular legislative session begins next week and runs through March, but lawmakers may be spending much more time in Tallahassee this year.
Florida Politics
Nick DiCeglie bills would address growth, hurricane reconstruction and public safety pressures
The bills reflect a growing focus in the Legislature on how laws function in practice, particularly during emergencies.
FAC News Clips – January 7, 2026
COUNTY
352 Today
Marion County Commission Provided with Update in Advance of 2026 Florida Legislative Session
Dr. Matthew Cretul, Marion County’s legislative manager provided the Marion County Board of County Commissioners with a legislative update in advance of the beginning the of 2026 Florida legislative session.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
The Destin Log
How Florida’s slow-growth advocates might make waves in 2026
In July 2025, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida paid to have airplane banner ads flown over New York beaches targeting people disenchanted with the soon-to-be-mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
WUWF
AI protection part of Gov. DeSantis’ legislative priorities for January session
Gov. Ron DeSantis highlighted some of his priorities ahead of the next legislative session at a press conference in Sanderson on Monday which includes the elimination of property taxes on homesteaded properties, along with raises for corrections officers, highway patrol and law enforcement.
LEGISLATION
Tallahassee Reports
10 Legislative Issues to Watch
Florida lawmakers next week will start the 2026 legislative session. With hundreds of bills filed for consideration during the session, here are 10 issues to watch:
FAC News Clips – January 6, 2026
COUNTY
Florida News Line
Students shadow clerk’s staff to explore careers
The St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller’s Office launched a new shadowing program last fall to give students hands-on experience in public service careers.
HOUSING
WUWF
Florida lawmakers could again consider legalizing ‘granny flats’
Florida lawmakers could, once again, consider legalizing “granny flats.”
LEGISLATION
Spectrum News 13
Florida lawmakers prepare to tackle property taxes, budget
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida lawmakers are set to converge on Tallahassee next Tuesday, where they will begin to tackle issues like Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed $117 billion budget, a reduction in statewide property taxes, and a possible redistricting push, among other things.
St. Pete Catalyst
Property tax changes fuel local concerns in 2026
Lawmakers have filed eight property tax reform proposals, despite Florida’s legislative session not officially commencing for another week. St. Petersburg officials are already preparing for any changes.
Florida Politics
Fiona McFarland proposal prepares Florida for life without the penny
Prices would be rounded to the nearest 5 or 10 cents
AROUND THE COUNT(R)Y
Times-Republican
Iowa House Democrats propose property tax rebates, limiting growth
With the 2026 legislative session set to start in a week, Iowa House Democrats introduced their plan Monday to tackle one of the biggest issues heading into the year — how to lower Iowans’ property taxes.
FAC News Clips – January 5, 2026
COUNTY
Ocala News
Marion County proclaiming day for retired Army captain in Veterans’ Hall of Fame
Marion County is set to honor one of its most decorated residents this month by proclaiming a day in his name.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Orlando Sentinel
Hurricanes punched 2 holes in Gulf Coast beaches. 1 may stay, 1 may go
For decades, Sarasota County leaders have wrestled with the idea of reopening Midnight Pass, an inlet that split Siesta and Casey keys until its closure in 1983.
FEDERAL
West Orlando News
U.S. House Passed Amendment Protecting Florida from Federal Overreach
The United States House of Representatives passed an amendment protecting Florida from federal overreach.
FAC News Clips – December 18, 2025
COUNTY
WTSP
Hillsborough County approves major water, wastewater impact fee hikes with slower rollout
Hillsborough County commissioners unanimously approved steep water and wastewater impact fee increases on new development, but agreed to phase them.
Action News Jax
Developer is taking legal action after St. Johns County denied planned rural development
- JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — After St. Johns County denied a development proposal to bring more than 200 homes to an area on County Road 214, the developer is challenging that decision in court.
LEGISLATION
Bradenton Times
Florida lawmakers promote ‘Blue Ribbon’ developers at public’s expense
A trail leads through a forest in St. Johns County.
First Coast News
St. Johns County struggles with new state law that limits home rule
The county questions if it should submit a “watered-down” version of its comprehensive plan to comply with a new state law … or wait for the law to be reversed.
WCTV
Florida bill could raise sales tax by 3 percent
One-third of all proceeds collected under the new sales tax would go to fund the Florida Education Finance Program
PROPERTY TAXES
Tampa Bay Times
Floridians, let’s talk about those property tax cuts | Column
Forgive me for killing your seasonal buzz with a holiday downer on property taxes.
Click Orlando
More property tax amendments just hit Florida. Here’s the full list
If approved by lawmakers and voters, new amendments take effect in 2027
DOGE
South Florida Reporter
CFO Ingoglia Unveils Legislation To Make Local Officals More Accountable
TAMPA — Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Blaise Ingoglia previewed legislation Wednesday meant to increase spending accountability and transparency for local government officials, with penalties for noncompliance including fines and removal from office.
FAC News Clips – December 16, 2025
COUNTY
WTXL
Wakulla County citizens express concerns overdevelopment
Two-state laws discussed at the meeting have propelled Wakulla County citizens’ ongoing concerns about overdevelopment in the county
WTXL
Leon County to consider consolidation with City
Two government agencies just a short distance apart from each other could be consolidating.
My News 13
Orange County leaders weigh possible transportation tax plan
ORLANDO, Fla. — Paying for transportation and mass transit in Central Florida is a multi-billion dollar challenge for Orange County leaders amid continuing population growth.
LEGISLATION
Florida Bar
Sovereign immunity reform bill clears final House committee
A Southwest Florida lawmaker’s latest attempt to reform Florida’s sovereign immunity laws is ready for the House floor after clearing a final committee.
WFSU
Florida is trying to halt constitutional challenges to a growth law
With a judge slated to hear arguments this week, the state is trying to short-circuit constitutional challenges to a new law that blocks cities and counties from approving “more restrictive or burdensome” changes to growth plans.
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Politics
Study: Property tax cuts, elimination would hit Florida’s rural communities hardest
Rural cities already devote most of their property tax revenue to basic services, leaving little room to absorb new tax cuts.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The Bradenton Times
States will keep pushing AI laws despite Trump’s efforts to stop them
A billboard advertises an artificial intelligence company in San Francisco in September 2025. California is among the states leading the way on AI regulations, but an executive order signed by President Donald Trump seeks to override state laws on the technology.
WBPF
DeSantis outlines AI concerns while proposing protective laws for Floridians
“This is basically protecting against this technology running amuck in a way that can be harmful to individuals,” DeSantis proposes AI “Bill of Rights,” citing concerns over the job market, data privacy and child safety in Florida.