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Studio 67FAC News Clips – April 22, 2026
COUNTY
Spectrum News
Hillsborough approves $95 million plan to tackle flooding
TAMPA, Fla. — Hillsborough County commissioners have signed off on an ambitious set of stormwater improvement projects aimed at reducing flooding and strengthening infrastructure across the region.
CFPM
Orange County chips ICE out of federal agreement, still must accept detainees at jail
Orange County commissioners and Mayor Jerry Demings voted unanimously Tuesday to terminate the section of the county’s Intergovernmental Service Agreement relevant to housing immigration detainees.
DATA CENTERS
Tampa Bay Times
DeSantis officials gave $1.5M to data center campus. They say they were tricked.
The state college behind the plan said the backlash is all based on misinformation.
FEDERAL
Light Reading
Industry groups, local governments at odds over broadband bill
Telecom industry associations are urging Congress to pass a House bill to reform broadband permitting processes, but groups representing local governments and communities are actively opposing the measure.
LEGISLATION
WFSU
Gov. DeSantis has signed a bill making it easier to develop farmland
Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed legislation supporters say boosts property rights and helps address Florida’s housing shortage, while critics warn it may increase sprawl and weaken local control.
Click Orlando
DeSantis gets 20 new Florida bills on his desk. Here’s the full list
Nearly 40 laws now signed by Gov. DeSantis so far this year
FAC News Clips – April 21, 2026
COUNTY
WTXL
Leon County historic harms charter amendment undergoing redrafts
DOWNTOWN TALLAHASSEE, Fl — A proposed Leon County Charter amendment aimed at analyzing how historical policies shaped local spending is being redrafted amid concerns it conflicts with anti-DEI legislation.
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Politics
With no clear proposal from the Governor’s Office and time running short, Perez says it’s ‘tough to hear this rhetoric over and over again’ from DeSantis.
Islander News
Miami property tax rebate available for eligible seniors
The City of Miami will issue rebates covering its share of property taxes for qualifying senior homeowners under a new relief program approved by commissioners
North Escambia
Libraries Facing Potential $4 Million Hit, Branch Closures If Property Tax Cuts Pass
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has pushed for more than a year for a major overhaul of the Florida tax system, including letting voters decide on property taxes.
B&G
“For years, opinion surveys have identified property taxes as the ones Americans hate the most,” according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).
DATA CENTERS
Route-Fifty
How government leaders can balance the pros and cons of data center development
Policy and partnerships with tech companies can give state and local leaders a lever to ensure data centers are developed responsibly and sustainable, experts said during a recent webinar.
LEGISLATION
Bradenton Times
Florida’s ‘AI Bill of Rights’: What happened, what’s in it, and what’s next?
DeSantis is trying to drive his AI Bill of Rights to the finish line.
FAC News Clips – April 20, 2026
COUNTY
Pensacola News Journal
Santa Rosa Local Option Sales Tax referendum language draws opposition
Ballot language that could prove controversial will be introduced at an April 23 public hearing as Santa Rosa County rolls out its bid to convince citizens to vote in November to support the reinstatement of a half-cent local option sales tax.
CW34
Martin County celebrates permanent preservation of over 2,000 acres
INDIANTOWN, Fla. (CBS12) — Martin County officials gathered at Timer Powers Park on Friday to celebrate the permanent preservation of more than 2,000 acres.
TECHNOLOGY
Florida Politics
Altamonte Springs embraces AI technology to save taxpayer money, City Manager says
AI technology is helping one Seminole County city run more efficiently.
Orlando Sentinel
Do data centers really use so much water? Here are 5 key issues
Concerns about water usage by large data centers have been especially heightened in rural areas, where many residents rely on well water.
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Politics
Gov. DeSantis promises Special Session on property taxes, but when?
‘There’s obviously a strategy involved’ in timing his release of the details to place before voters, he says.
LEGISLATION
Midflorida Newspaper
Legislators ‘not quite there’ on budget talks
TALLAHASSEE — House and Senate leaders still don’t have a deal on topline budget numbers, although offers continue to be exchanged between the chambers, one top negotiator said Friday.
FAC News Clips – April 17, 2026
COUNTY
Gulf Shore Business
Collier county borrows up to $300 million for growth
To fund burgeoning growth in eastern Collier County, commissioners approved temporarily borrowing up to $300 million from a state pooled-loan program as gap funding before issuing bonds.
WLRN
As Miami-Dade drags its feet on trash troubles, other areas smell the stench
About two years ago, George Landry noticed a strange traffic pattern on Virginia Avenue in Fort Pierce, a city about 125 miles north of Miami. Dozens of heavy duty trucks rolled past the front of his office every day, a far cry from the family-packed cars that were typical. He didn’t know why.
Alachua County Today
Alachua County Manager Michele Lieberman Earns Top National Honor
ALACHUA COUNTY – Alachua County Manager Michele Lieberman has been named the inaugural recipient of a national award recognizing excellence in county leadership and public service.
WPTV
Martin County celebrates conservation success after 2024 sales tax vote
The Martin County Forever program has acquired over 2,000 acres of land for conservation in just over a year, with plans to protect another 2,000 acres in the coming year.
Click Orlando
Man, woman die in rip current Tuesday in Cocoa Beach
PROPERTY TAXES
Bay News 9
Safety Harbor concerned by push to eliminate property taxes
SAFETY HARBOR, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is continuing to push state legislators to eliminate property taxes, even after a proposal failed to pass the Senate earlier this year.
WLRN
DeSantis promises special session on property taxes, but when?
Gov. Ron DeSantis has previously indicated that he’s holding back on offering his own proposal to reduce taxes on homestead properties until the moment is “ripe” — and it doesn’t appear that’ll be anytime soon.
Florida Politics
Matt Caldwell and Bob Rommel talked about the state of debate and political viability of a massive tax cut.
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
A three-for-one call emerges from the Governor’s Office.
FAC News Clips – April 15, 2026
COUNTY
Your Observer
Manatee County launches $3M pilot program for bulk garbage pickup
Regular bulk pickup was eliminated when the “Big Bin Advantage” was introduced in October.
WTXL
Leon County leaders discuss public policy, fairgrounds in Tuesday meeting
Commissioners voted 6-1 to revise a proposed charter amendment addressing historical public policy disparities after concerns it could conflict with pending state legislation.
Sebastian Daily
Indian River County OKs $3.5 million for sheriff’s office, $4 million more ahead
VERO BEACH — The Indian River County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved $3.5 million in additional funding Tuesday for the Sheriff’s Office this year, along with $4 million for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
SNN
Sarasota County opens ‘One Stop’ site for residents’ planning and zoning needs
SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. (SNN) — The customer is always right, right? Except when the county is right.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Route-Fifty
How public records requests could help ‘fight AI with AI’
Agencies are burdened with growing numbers of requests and more records to manage and parse through.
LEGISLATION
Sun Sentinel
DeSantis may delay his special session to redraw Florida congressional maps
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis suggested Tuesday that he might delay a special session to draw up new congressional maps, which is scheduled to begin next week.
FAC News Clips – April 14, 2026
COUNTY
WCTV
Leon County commissioners to consider charter amendment aimed at addressing ‘historical wrongs’
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Leon County commissioners are set to consider a proposed charter amendment Tuesday that aims to address “historical wrongs.”
SNN News
Manatee County adding input to national toolkit on homelessness and substance use disorders
MANATEE Fla. (WSNN) — Manatee County has been selected to participate in a national summit at the White House in Washington, D.C., this week, which will gather insight for a national toolkit to guide communities facing similar challenges of homelessness and substance use disorders.
ENVIRONMENT
Sun Sentinel
Army Corps announces accelerated plan for Everglades restoration
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Monday that they will accelerate the plan for completing the reservoir known as the “crown jewel” of Everglades restoration.
WUSF
Electronic waste is piling up. Here’s how Florida is managing the surge
About 775 tons of trash arrive at Alachua County’s Leveda Brown Environmental Park & Transfer Station every day.
Tampa Bay Times
What’s causing Central Florida trash haulers to collect ‘hurricane volumes’ of debris?
“I’ve never seen anything like that,” Orlando’s solid waste manager said.
PROPERTY TAXES
FL Voice
Renner pitches property tax hike for out-of-state ‘speculators’ to fund relief for Floridians
CRAWFORDVILLE, Fla. — Gubernatorial candidate and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner took his “Affordability Now” tour to rural Wakulla County on Monday, where he proposed shifting the state’s property tax burden onto out-of-state investors and “speculators” to provide relief for permanent residents.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Orlando Sentinel
Orange County woman fights sprawl, DeSantis administration
For a few years now, Rachel Hildebrand, an east Orange County mom of twins, has been a feisty advocate for her rural community in a never-ending legal fight against urban sprawl and mega developments.