Florida's Latest News

Gov. DeSantis gives $23M in grants for workforce, defense industry

Gov. Ron DeSantis is awarding about $23 million in state grants to beef up the state’s defense and skilled labor workforce.

“You’re talking about expanding job training, infrastructure, space port development, and helping our military installations all across the state of Florida,” DeSantis said at a news conference in Jacksonville. “Part of this is economic. Part of this is doing our part to help with national security. But part of it is also just cultural.”

Florida State College at Jacksonville will receive $7 million to buy and renovate a vacant building at Cecil Center North to expand the school’s HVAC and welding programs.

The building will be the home of the new Cecil Training Institute, which is projected to train about 324 workers over the next decade.

Byron Donalds doubles down on cutting - or even eliminating - property taxes if elected

Florida voters will get a choice in November whether to increase their property tax homestead exemption. But if Republican Byron Donalds is elected governor, he says he'll move to eliminate all property taxes.

At a campaign stop in Tampa, Donalds said he would push such a move through a state Tax and Budget Reform Commission that meets every 20 years. And they're scheduled to convene again next year.

"Whether the amendment passes or not, we're going to be using that commission in order to do a full top to bottom review of all taxes and fees, still setting a goal for repealing homestead property taxes in Florida overall," he said after a tour of a new Tampa Electric operations center in north Tampa.

"Pass or fail, we're bringing this back anyway next year through the Tax and Budget Reform Commission," he said. 

FDOT revokes permits for Flock cameras installed on state land next to roads

On Monday, Aug. 31, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) issued a memorandum revoking existing permits for automated license plate recognition (ALPR) systems, commonly referred to by the brand name "Flock cameras," that are installed within the right of way of roads on the State Highway System.

The memo states, in part, that the decision was made because of the “recent exponential increase in deployments along our roadways, couple with concerning reports of misuse, data privacy concerns, and surveillance schemes [that] merit immediate action to preserve Floridians’ sovereignty and quality of life."

It also says approval for such devices are considered “temporary by nature” and that local law enforcement agencies statewide have 30 days to remove these devices. Any remaining after that will be removed by FDOT.

Several law enforcement agencies across the state, including the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, took to their social media platforms to inform their followers about the directive.

Nik Dean will replace Michelle DeJesus on General Election ballot in November

Maitland Democrat Nik Dean was tapped as a replacement nominee for Michelle DeJesus in the open House District 38 race.

The campaign launch in a battleground District took place a week after DeJesus dropped out, citing family issues. Dean, a local attorney, was selected by Democratic leadership in Seminole County to replace DeJesus on the ballot.

“Helping people has always been my passion, so when Michelle made the decision to withdraw from the ballot, I knew I couldn’t sit on the sidelines while people in our community continue to suffer under the state’s affordability crisis,” Dean said.

“Despite Floridians working harder than ever, it is becoming more and more difficult to keep up with the rising cost of living. Hard work alone is not enough when costs of everyday items like groceries, gas, housing, healthcare, and insurance continue to outpace the workers in our state’s wages.