COUNTY 

TC Palm 

Efforts to get Stuart’s backing for funds for Brightline paused 

MARTIN COUNTY — The county has hit pause in its attempt to force Stuart to back efforts to get grant money for a $60 million Brightline train station here. 

 

WFLX 

Cases of homelessness in Palm Beach County decreased, advisory board says 

We’re diving deeper into the housing crisis and the troubles many are having to afford even a place to live. 

 

Mid-Florida Newspaper 

Polk County Day celebrates legislative priorities and community collaboration  

Last week, Polk County officials, elected leaders, and business executives gathered in Tallahassee to mark the annual Polk County Day which is a longstanding tradition that kicks off the legislative session with a focus on local priorities and collaborative governance.   

 

DOGE 

WJHG 

Bay County First County in Florida to Volunteer for DOGE Audit 

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – In February, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the creation of Florida’s Department of Government Efficiency Task Force, also known as DOGE. 

 

Florida Politics 

Senate passes DOGE bill to target outdated rules at state agencies 

‘People have a problem with unelected federal bureaucrats having so much unchecked authority.’ 

 

Florida Politics 

House panel advances proposal expanding Florida watchdog powers to apply to local governments 

‘Our constitutional amendment that we’re offering is really striking while the iron is hot.’ 

 

Orlando Sentinel  

Florida DOGE wants cities to report their own fiscal problems 

TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Ron DeSantis has taken the unprecedented step this week of asking city and county administrators about any financial problems they have or expect to have, one of the first official acts of his newly created Department of Government Efficiency. 

 

LEGISLATION 

WCTV 

Florida’s Rural Renaissance passes out of Senate, offering rural areas additional resources 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) – Changes are coming to rural communities across Florida. 

 

Herald-Tribune 

Sarasota and Manatee legislative delegation targets range of issues 

Bills introduced by Sarasota and Manatee County state lawmakers could soon impose stiff penalties on employers who hire illegal immigrants, increase public access to cannabis despite additional efforts to curb public smoking, and establish more standardized procedures for hurricane recovery. 

 

WPTV 

Smaller property tax bills that could save homeowners money advance in House 

One approved measure, if passed by voters on the 2026 ballot, would freeze a home’s assessed value after flood prevention improvements 

 

ABC Action News 

Florida Legislators consider local plastic regulation preemption bill 

State legislators are considering a bill that would impact the regulation of single-use plastic containers. 

 

Florida Phoenix 

House budget chair orders review of local budgets during sovereign immunity debate  

Bill clears the House budget committee with three ‘no’ votes.