COUNTY 

St. Pete Catalyst 

Commission explores incentives for affordable housing funds  

The demand for affordable housing is only going to increase significantly through 2035, Caitlin Johnson told Pinellas County commissioners May 15. 

 

Bradenton Herald 

How will Manatee spend $250M in FL hurricane relief funding?  

Manatee County officials are close to deciding how they will use over $250 million in federal grant funds for local hurricane recovery efforts. 

 

Palm Beach Post 

Palm Beach County tax rolls get $5 billion boost from new construction 

Twenty-two new apartment complexes were added to the tax rolls last year in Palm Beach County, producing nearly 3,800 rental units. And 3,000 single-family homes were also built.   

 

Bay News 9  

Manatee announces county DOGE team 

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — After federal Department of Government Efficiency — or DOGE — efforts trickled down to Florida, individual municipalities have started creating their own versions, including in Manatee County. 

 

ENVIRONMENT 

WUWF 

Judge outlines steps Florida Department of Environmental Protection needs to take to aid manatees  

A federal judge Monday ordered the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to take a series of steps aimed at protecting manatees in the northern Indian River Lagoon, including requiring it to go through a federal permitting process and temporarily preventing new septic tanks in the area. 

 

Fox 13 

Manatee County wetland protections on hold after response from state  

BRADENTON, Fla. – It was supposed to be a final vote to restore wetland buffers in Manatee County.  

 

LEGISLATION 

Click Orlando 

Florida Gov. DeSantis signs biggest batch of new laws yet. Here’s the full list 

New laws cover motor crimes, boating issues, and more 

 

FEDERAL 

Route-Fifty 

At least 20 states have reportedly lost digital equity grant funding 

States across the country have had their grant funding pulled after President Donald Trump announced he was ending the program. Program supporters say they are plotting their next steps.