Government

By Louis Llovio
February 20, 2024

One year later, Florida legislators are updating the $711 million Live Local Act

Two pieces of legislation are making their way through the Florida Legislature aimed at tweaking and updating the affordable housing legislation passed with wide bipartisan support last year.

Florida

By Andrew Warfield
February 7, 2024

Proposed density increase in Sarasota neighborhood criticized as 'ghetto'

The Sarasota Housing Authority seeks higher density for new developments. A city Planning Board member says doubling the number of units at the Bertha Mitchell community will unfairly burden Newtown.

Manatee-Sarasota

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.