Florida's Latest News

Gov. DeSantis signs $117.6B Florida budget with tax relief, debt reduction and record reserves

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida's budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year during a press conference Monday morning at Hillsborough College in Tampa. The governor highlighted a fourth consecutive year of reduced state spending while also discussing tax relief, debt reduction, education funding and infrastructure investments.

DeSantis says Florida continues to maintain one of the nation's strongest fiscal positions despite population growth and ongoing investments.

DeSantis said that if Florida had continued spending at the same pace as four years ago, adjusted for inflation, the budget would have totaled approximately $132.5 billion.

Instead, the governor said the state expects to finish the next fiscal year with at least $18 billion in reserves, a figure he believes could ultimately be higher.

The governor said the Rainy Day Fund has been fully funded, noting the reserve account has tripled during his administration.

Gov. DeSantis signs third revision of Live Local Act to expand affordable housing

The third time may be a charm for a legislative measure designed to expand affordable housing in Florida.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the updated Live Local Act this month after the House and Senate approved it. Fleming Island Republican Sen. Jennifer Bradley sponsored the Senate bill (SB 962), and Coral Gables Republican Rep. Demi Busatta sponsored the House companion (HB 837).

The law isn’t entirely new. It’s the third time the Live Local Act has been revised since it was originally approved three years ago. The measure will allow more types of dwelling units, limit local restrictions and protect financial sources for buying homes.

While the Live Local Act seeks to bolster affordable residential housing, the latest revision would “exclude farms and farm operations” from the land-use categories eligible for its development preemptions.

The original iteration of the law drew criticism from watchdog groups such as Florida TaxWatch for falling short for “missing middle” renters — households that earn too much to qualify for affordable housing subsidies but not enough to comfortably pay market rents in their area.

This Florida city has yellow tap water. That’s about to finally change

For decades, yellow-hued water has flowed from faucets in homes, hotels and restaurants serviced by Fiveash, the 1950s-era Fort Lauderdale water plant that’s way past its prime.

But a pricey new water plant dubbed Prospect Lake Clean Water Center is on the rise. And when it opens later this year, crystal-clear water will stream out of its pipes.

That clear water will come at a cost: $666 million, which comes to $1.4 billion over the course of a 30-year loan. Water customers will pay the tab.

Like Fiveash, the new water plant will serve customers in Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Tamarac, Wilton Manors, Davie, Port Everglades, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and Sea Ranch Lakes.

Unlike Fiveash, it has been built to withstand a Category 5 hurricane.

Seven years ago, Mayor Dean Trantalis described Fiveash as being held together by spit and chewing gum.

Nine years ago, a consultant warned Fort Lauderdale that Fiveash was on the brink of failure.

The new water plant is being built under a public-private partnership between the city, IDE Technologies and Ridgewood Infrastructure. IDE and Ridgewood will manage the operation and maintenance of the plant for 30 years, from late 2026 to 2056.

Hidden devices used in cheating attempt on Florida driver’s license test, officials say

Multiple individuals allegedly attempted to cheat on the Florida driver’s license knowledge exam at a Miami-Dade Tax Collector office, officials said.

Miami-Dade Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez confirmed the incident Monday in what he described as an “important message” to the community, saying those involved allegedly used concealed electronic devices while taking the test.

“A driver license is not a right. It is a privilege that must be earned honestly and responsibly,” Fernandez wrote on his X account.

Fernandez said multiple individuals allegedly attempted to cheat on the Florida driver’s license knowledge exam at a Miami-Dade Tax Collector office, where they were caught using concealed electronic devices.

“The Miami-Dade County Tax Collector’s Office recently stopped multiple individuals who attempted to cheat during the Florida driver license knowledge exam using concealed electronic devices and unauthorized outside assistance,” Fernandez said.