COUNTY 

Port Charlotte News 

Former Charlotte commissioner Richard Leonard dies 

When former Charlotte County Commissioner Richard Leonard died March 14, he still had a keen interest in politics. 

 

Ocala News 

Marion County seeing large tourism tax revenue return 

Marion County is on pace to generate a record amount in tourism tax revenue this fiscal year, having already crossed $2.5 million through last month. 

 

TC Palm 

DeSantis announces $389 million in grants to improve Florida’s water 

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced $389 million in state grants Tuesday to improve Florida water quality and supply. 

 

Herald-Tribune 

Hurricane recovery: Manatee County to spend millions on canal cleanup 

The 2025 hurricane season is quickly approaching, and Manatee County is nowhere near done clearing downed trees and debris that caused severe flooding problems during hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton last year. 

 

WESH 

Orange County agrees to train deputies as immigration officers 

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — 

Orange County leaders agreed to a partnership on Tuesday with Immigration and Customs Enforcement as part of Florida’s support for President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. 

 

TERM LIMITS 

WCJB 

Florida lawmakers propose amendment to establish term limits for local elected officials 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCJB) – Florida voters could decide next year if local governments will be subject to term limits. 

 

Tampa Bay Times 

Why Florida term limits aren’t the solution 

I’ve covered Florida politics a while, and if there’s a good argument for term limits, I haven’t heard it. 

 

 

DOGE 

News Channel 7 

Walton County will soon be working with DOGE 

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. 

 

WPTV 

Commissioners welcome DOGE overview because ‘there’s definitely waste’ 

‘We’re financially strong, but I’m sure there are places to cut,’ County Commissioner Cathy Townsend says 

 

CBS 12 

Show us the money: Florida’s DOGE team requests financial records from cities and counties 

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Florida’s newly formed Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) is wasting no time in its mission to track down government waste. 

 

LEGISLATION 

WLRN 

Lawmakers’ proposed rules on wetlands banking would weaken restoration  

Rules put in place decades ago to protect dwindling wetlands that help clean water and protect Florida from hurricanes and flooding face a new challenge. 

 

ABC Action News 

Gov. DeSantis promises to put property tax relief on 2026 ballot 

Gov. Ron DeSantis is once again calling on state lawmakers to give Floridians some kind of property tax relief. 

 

Midflorida Newspaper 

New state bill condemned as attack on rural boundaries headed to next committee  

A controversial new agriculture bill that would make it easier for developers to build on rural lands has passed its first Senate hearing in Tallahassee.