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Studio 67FAC News Clips – February 5, 2026
COUNTY
Action News Jax
Does Florida need 67 counties? Jacksonville State lawmaker argues it’s time to have the conversation
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Does Florida have too many counties?
WGCU
Nearly half a billion dollars in disaster recovery funds coming from FEMA to several counties
Several Southwest Florida counties will share in nearly half a billion dollars in FEMA public assistance recovery funds for Floridians impacted by disaster.
My Panhandle
Florida Legislature recognizes statewide moment of silence for Washington County Administrator
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Florida Legislature paused its session on Wednesday to observe a moment of silence in honor of longtime Washington County Administrator Jeff Massey.
PROPERTY TAXES
TC Palm
Florida property tax cuts? No such thing as free lunch | Opinion
‘Eliminating property taxes would become the largest state takeover of local decision-making in American history.’
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Florida Politics
Bill to fast-track dense housing on contaminated South Florida land clears first House Committee
The bill would require cities and counties to allow redevelopment at the highest residential density permitted nearby — or default to state-set standards if none exist.
WCJB
Senate passes bill requiring local governments to allow accessory dwelling units
The legislation would mandate ADU ordinances in single-family neighborhoods statewide
ENVIRONMENT
CFPM
Senate committee advances proposal to restore natural riverway
A proposal to restore the natural flow of water between the Ocklawaha and St. Johns Rivers cleared its second of three required Senate committee stops Wednesday.
ARTIFICIAL NTELLIGENCE
The Destin Log
At Sarasota’s New College, DeSantis calls for AI regulation
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke at New College of Florida on Wednesday to push for state-level regulation of artificial intelligence.
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
Yvette Benarroch budget transparency proposal clears first House Committee
The bill also includes a separate provision prohibiting cities and counties from spending public funds on diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Florida Politics
Bills setting new rules, public info exemptions for data centers clear second Senate hurdle
One Senator warned that a confidentiality allowance could put local officials in legal and political jeopardy.
Florida Politics
House panel advances Adam Botana proposal to eliminate most local business taxes
Supporters said inspections and safety regulations would remain in place regardless of whether the tax is repealed.
FAC News Clips – February 3, 2026
Florida Politics
Each bill was heard by three committees with little pushback in any of them.
Your Observer
Hiring freeze begins as Manatee County researches effects of tax cuts
With Manatee County having implemented a hiring freeze Jan. 15, County Administrator Charlie Bishop has been meeting with each of his departments and going over their base and continuation budgets.
Islander News
Miami-Dade mayor steps in to halt proposed wetlands development
Daniella Levine Cava vetoed a land use change that would have allowed commercial development on environmentally sensitive wetlands, though commissioners could still override her decision.
DOGE
Miami Herald
Florida DOGE report reads like a political stunt
The report the Florida DOGE has recently released detailing spending in the state’s largest cities and counties reads, at times, like a reasonable exercise in fiscal oversight.
Rick’s Blog
Florida DOGE Takes a Hard Look at Pensacola’s Books
The Florida Department of Government Efficiency released its report on local government spending last week, and Pensacola’s section alone is worth a careful read because Gov. DeSantis and CFO Blaise Ingoglia don’t believe Mayor D.C. Reeves is following their anti-DEI playbook.
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Politics
Ron DeSantis still in no rush to roll out property tax elimination proposal
A ‘very, very meaningful’ plan will emerge sooner or later.
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
Bill calling for Electric Bike Safety Task Force powers through House panel
The Task Force would make recommendations on how to deal with the vehicles and propose regulations.
Florida Politics
Michael Owen proposal to create a Stewardship District in southern Hillsborough clears House panel
While the District would be created upon the bill taking effect, its authority to levy ad valorem taxes would require approval by voters.
Florida Politics
Proposed hospital bill could send local tax dollars out of county
An effort to increase collaboration and improve health care has some unintended consequences, including more power with less oversight.
FAC News Clips – February 2, 2026
COUNTY
Keys Weekly
COUNTY ATTENDS FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES LEGISLATIVE DAY
Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln, and Commissioners Holly Merrill Raschein and Jim Scholl, recently joined Monroe County Legislative Affairs Director Lisa Tennyson in Tallahassee for the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) Legislative Day.
Suncoast News
Pinellas just made it easier to remove trees from your yard. Here’s how
County commissioners amended several ordinances to simplify the burdensome — and costly — process.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Realtor
Florida and Indiana lawmakers are advancing similar proposals to stop local governments from creating land-use restrictions that stifle construction of smaller starter homes.
PROPERTY TAXES
Tampa Bay Times
A rundown of ideas Florida lawmakers have so far to cut property taxes
Gov. DeSantis, who has been calling for a repeal of property taxes, has not shared a proposal.
Florida Politics
‘Difficult decisions’: St. Pete faces $18M budget gap
‘Imagine literally cutting our budget 50%. Those are jobs.’
STATE
Florida Politics
State to waive park fees for a week, give employees Presidents Day off, Gov. DeSantis says
The Governor brought good news to celebrate America’s 250th.
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
House committee zooms e-bike regulation bill through with unanimous vote
The bill would require law enforcement to uniformly track e-bike crashes.
FAC News Clips – January 29, 2026
COUNTY
Chronicle Online
Levy County showcases community pride at Rural County Days in Tallahassee
TALLAHASSEE — The Levy County Board of County Commissioners once again represented Levy County at Rural County Days, returning to the Florida Capitol for another year to promote tourism to the area and showcase locally produced commodities.
TC Palm
Has DeSantis succeeded at blocking Florida’s largest data center?
State politics may be strangling the proposed St. Lucie County data center
Tallahassee Democrat
Leon County commissioners sound alarm on property tax cuts
Leon County is keeping a close eye on the legislative session this year as they could see a hole blown in their budget if eliminating property tax makes its way to the statewide ballot.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Insurance Journal
Florida House Panel Approves Bill to Waive Building Permits on Work of Less Than $7,500
Spending $7,500 on home repairs may not seem like much in 2026. But a bill approved by a Florida House of Representatives panel on Wednesday would allow construction work below that threshold without a building permit, a change that could have an unexpected impact on inspections and some insurance claims.
Yahoo News
Florida and Indiana lawmakers are advancing similar proposals to stop local governments from creating land-use restrictions that stifle construction of smaller starter homes.
Florida Politics
Supporters say the bill cuts red tape and boosts housing. Critics argue it undermines home rule and environmental safeguards.
PROPERTY TAXES
Orlando Weekly
Florida property tax cuts threaten to flatline public safety funding
Gov. Ron DeSantis and CFO Blaise Ingoglia want to cut taxes collected by local governments, but offer no solution for how to fund law enforcement and fire rescue
Midflorida Newspaper
Almost half of Florida voters favor property insurance relief over property tax relief
A new poll conducted on behalf of the nonpartisan Florida Policy Institute found that 63% of Florida voters – including 73% of Democrats, 58% of Republicans and 60% of independents – believe that property insurance relief should be a higher priority for the state Legislature than property tax relief. Only 32% of voters said that property tax relief was the higher priority of the two options.
DOGE
Florida Politics
Blaise Ingoglia berates St. Petersburg for overtaxing residents by $49.4M
Ingoglia said local governments expanded budgets rapidly after COVID, fueled by federal aid and rising property values, and then locked in higher spending levels.
WTSP
What DOGE says is ‘wasteful,’ ‘excessive’ spending in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Manatee counties
Blaise Ingoglia, accuses multiple counties of excessive spending in an already contested report, focusing on DEI initiatives and other expenses.
LEGISLATION
The Destin Log
Florida may rethink a ‘jumbled’ religious freedom proposal
‘It’s more of a religious expression and a freedom-to-build-a-playground bill,’ the measure’s sponsor said.
Florida Politics
This legislation has 2 committee stops ahead.
Florida Politics
Senate bill upping e-bike regulations rolls through second committee
‘Parents worry when they’re walking with their young children. Right now, the rules haven’t caught up.’
FAC News Clips – January 28, 2026
COUNTY
Observer Local News
As the county reviews its future and current projects, an uncertainty over its future funding ability looms should the state remove property tax revenue.
TBBW
How Pinellas County allocates tourism tax dollars
Tourism dollars in Pinellas County come with rules, limits and consequences.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
WGCU
Why FEMA redraws flood maps and what it means for Lee County
Southwest Florida residents living here in November 2022 know how Category 4 Hurricane Ian altered the entire community — with impacts still being addressed today.
DOGE
Your Observer
Manatee County committee requests DOGE audit results
It’s been over three months since Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia claimed Manatee County overspent $112.4 million in fiscal year 2025.
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Politics
House panel approves resolution to slow property tax increases
While the House Ways and Means Committee signed off on the measure, dozens of local leaders assailed the proposal.
Islander News
Property tax relief push moves in House, stalls in Senate
Proposal would, if approved, cap annual increases to 3% for homestead properties, to apply every third year instead of each year
WCJB
State Representative from Belleview backs proposal for property tax reform bill
BELLEVIEW, Fla. (WCJB) – Property tax increases would be slowed down in Florida under a proposal that cleared the house ways and means committee
LEGISLATURE
Florida Politics
Ben Albritton returns to Tallahassee after medical scare, will ‘finish the Session strong’
‘The future is bright.’
FAC News Clips – January 27, 2026
COUNTY
WTXL
Leon Co. shares concerns about impacts of potential property tax cuts
Several bills are up for discussion this legislative session, looking into cutting property taxes for Floridians.
Suncoast News Network
Florida county breaks snowfall record, study shows
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA)— Escambia County holds the record for the highest single-day snowfall in Florida, a study showed.
North Escambia
Escambia County Seeks $15 Million In Funding For Emergency Communications Modernization
Escambia County commissioners have voted to advance an application seeking $15 million in Triumph Gulf Coast funding to modernize the county’s emergency communications system, a step aimed at strengthening day-to-day emergency response and improving reliability during hurricanes and other large-scale incidents.
PROPERTY TAX
WGCU
Property tax proposal could be biggest encroachment on local government yet by the Legislature
The Florida Legislature, with a long history of shifting authority away from local governments to itself, is now considering what some local officials consider the most significant such move of all – abolishing one of the main sources of revenue of local governments.
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
Jim Boyd, Will Robinson nix Manatee County Port Authority changes in face of cruise port concerns
‘The proposed cruise terminal on Rattlesnake Key has understandably created public angst.’