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Government

  • By Jim Stinson
  • February 7, 2024
Entrepreneurs aim to thwart Haines City’s food truck ban

Haines City delayed a reading and potential vote on a proposed ordinance banning food trucks after a public interest law firm argued that the ban violates Florida law.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • By Jim Stinson
  • February 6, 2024
Joe Chillura, behind tax plan that saved the NFL in Tampa Bay, dies at 84

Joe Chillura — architect, former Hillsborough County commissioner and former Tampa City council member — died Saturday. He was 84.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • By Louis Llovio
  • February 1, 2024
Millions of dollars at stake in statewide bankers vs. lawyers dispute

Roiled by a rule change that forces banks to pay higher interest payments for certain accounts, multiple Florida bankers see legislation as a solution. The Florida Bar sees the controversy differently.

  • Florida
  • By Jim Stinson
  • January 31, 2024
Former Hillsborough elections supervisor, state senator dies at 88

Jim Sebesta, a former Hillsborough County elections supervisor, Florida state senator and St. Pete businessman, died on Tuesday. He was 88.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • By Jim Stinson
  • January 30, 2024
Polk County city seeks to ban food trucks

A coalition of food trucks operators are urging Haines City to cease efforts to pass a "near-total ban" on food trucks and to allow all banned food trucks to resume operations.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • By Mark Gordon
  • January 15, 2024
Former Sarasota chamber CEO to run for hospital board seat

Kevin Cooper, a well-known advocate for businesses and nonprofits in Sarasota and former U.S. Army sergeant, has filed to run for the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Board.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • By Mark Gordon
  • January 11, 2024
Report: California to lose four congressional seats, Florida to gain three

The population surge of the past three years will be a win for Florida's congressional presence in Washington, D.C.

  • Florida
  • By Mark Gordon
  • January 5, 2024
Former St. Pete state senator targets big changes in Tallahassee

A pair of policy-first leaders look to inject a sense of strategy into the chaos that often dominates in Tallahassee through a nonprofit think tank and policy bank, the Florida Policy Project.

  • Florida
  • By Brian Hartz
  • January 4, 2024
Florida inches closer to recreational marijuana with 2024 ballot initiative

A proposal that would legalize adult recreational cannabis use — and bring a massive influx of tax revenues — in Florida appears headed to the general election ballot in November.

  • Florida
  • By Jim Stinson
  • January 3, 2024
State legislators aim to address health care, insurance, shoplifting

As in past Florida Legislative sessions, the power of the Senate president and House speaker will dictate much of the bills that either get passed or languish in committees.

  • Florida
  • By Louis Llovio
  • December 20, 2023
Crucial impact fee discussion in Manatee gets costly, complicated

The collection of impact fees — when and how much — has stirred up a significant amount of controversy in Manatee County, with few answers.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • By Mark Gordon
  • December 19, 2023
Region wins nearly $40M in state funding for water pollution reduction projects

Funding for five water quality projects in the region worth nearly $40 million has been approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office.

  • Florida
  • By Mark Gordon
  • November 13, 2023
Florida legislators file bill to impose term limits on county commissioners

The legislation models a bill passed in 2023 for term limits on school board members.

  • Florida
  • By Louis Llovio
  • November 8, 2023
Florida lawmakers OK funds for program said to cut homeowner insurance bills

The state House and Senate passed the funding during a special session that included hurricane relief and sanctions against Iran.

  • Florida
  • By Mark Gordon
  • November 7, 2023
Sarasota tax office returns nearly $18 million to county in excess fees

The office has returned $114 million in the past decade.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
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