COUNTY 

Alachua Chronicle  

Alachua County Commission stays the course on road paving, moves forward with updates to the tree code, asks staff to draw voting districts that mirror the county’s demographics 

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – At the April 22 Alachua County Commission meeting, the board decided against paving some road segments that were not included in their 10-year plan, moved forward with a major update to their tree code, and asked staff to look at drawing new County Commission districts that mirror the overall county demographics. 

 

Click Orlando 

Central Florida counties now under ‘extreme drought’ — what it means for you 

Areas of Marion, Lake, Volusia under 2nd-highest drought category 

 

First Coast News 

Are the Jaguars heading to Orlando’s Camping World Stadium  

The CEO of Florida Citrus Sports estimated each Jaguars home game in Orlando could net $20 million. 

 

TDT 

Orlando Sentinel  

Florida House eyes ‘sweeping’ change to hotel taxes 

TALLAHASSEE —  A significant source of tax revenue for Orlando’s tourism industry is in flux as the Florida House eyes using money collected from visitors to give homeowners a property tax break.  

 

WPTV 

Why tourism councils could be on the chopping block in Florida 

Florida hit another tourism record in 2024, with 142.9 million visitors. 

 

Fox 13 

Bay Area leaders weigh in as Florida House debates reworking tourism tax laws 

  1. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A bill that’s just starting to make its way through the Florida House is ruffling some feathers, specifically within the tourism industry.

 

WPBF 

‘Not the right one’: Tourism officials in Palm Beach County concerned about bill that would 

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Some tourism industry experts in South Florida are raising red flags about HB 1221, saying it could make it harder to attract visitors to the Sunshine State. 

 

LEGISLATION 

Daytona Times 

State lawmakers consider bill to keep secret their home addresses, phone numbers  

GAINESVILLE – A bill in Florida’s Legislature would shield personal information like home addresses and phone numbers for elected officials. 

 

Sun Sentinel 

DeSantis questions Broward’s ‘massive’ budget increases 

Gov. Ron DeSantis took another swing at Broward on Wednesday, asserting the county has had a “massive” increase in its spending in recent years. 

 

Click Orlando 

Florida Senate rejects bill with measure to bypass voter-approved rural boundary rules 

Bill opposed by environmentalists, local governments 

 

St. Augustine Record 

Florida House tax plan ensnares tourism industry amid DeSantis spat 

House and Senate budget and tax cut negotiators are running out of time to reach a deal and end the legislative session on time.