Florida's Latest News

Hillsborough County moves toward moratorium on AI data centers

Hillsborough County Commissioners voted unanimously to draft a moratorium on artificial intelligence data centers and begin developing land-use rules that could bar future facilities from using county drinking water for cooling.

Commissioner Donna Cameron Cepeda said she initially wanted the county to adopt an immediate five-year moratorium, but that she revised the proposal after receiving a briefing from the County Attorney’s Office about the restrictions imposed by SB 180 and the law’s provision allowing affected parties to sue.

The Commission took two separate 7-0 votes. One directed staff to develop a regulatory framework for future data centers while the other instructed the County Attorney’s Office to prepare the moratorium ordinance that would take effect immediately after SB 180 expires on Oct. 1, 2027 — or sooner if the law is struck down by a court — and return it to Commissioners for review.

“AI data centers are rapidly expanding and may have significant impacts on infrastructure, utilities and land use,” Cameron Cepeda said. 

Mayo Clinic Florida named best hospital in Florida and one of the best in the nation, report finds

According to the rankings, Mayo Clinic is the No. 1 hospital in the state and named to the U.S. News Honor Roll, an honor given to the 20 best hospitals in the nation. The Honor Roll ranking is based on the overall performance of Mayo Clinic Florida in multiple specialties, procedures and conditions.

In eight specialties, Mayo Clinic Florida ranked top 25 in the nation. Those specialties are Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Gastroenterology and GI Surgery, Geriatrics, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Pulmonology and Lung Surgery, and Urology.

In the specialties of Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Gastroenterology and GI Surgery, Orthopedics, Pulmonology and Lung Surgery, and Urology, the hospital was ranked No. 1 in Florida.

Legislature sets 2027 Session dates, with Committee meetings beginning this Fall

The Legislature has set its schedule for Committee hearings ahead of the 2027 Legislative Session.

The Regular Session for the Senate and House won’t get underway until March 2. But there are several weeks of Committee meetings scheduled well before that. Senate Secretary Tracy C. Cantella released the interim schedule on Monday.

“This schedule is intended to provide ample time for committee work, while allowing time in December for family and holiday celebrations,” Cantella said in her memo to lawmakers.

Initially, the Senate will convene on Nov. 17 for “general organization and selection of officers.”

The first item of work for legislators in both chambers will be training sessions that will run from Nov. 17 through Nov. 19. Cantella said more information will be coming after the General Election on Nov. 3.

Judge orders Florida to rewrite the property tax amendment ballot language

A Tallahassee judge has ordered the state to rewrite the ballot language for the proposed property tax reduction constitutional amendment.

"In summary, voters are entitled to a fair, clear, accurate and non-misleading ballot statement to assist them in making their critical determination," wrote Judge David Frank. "The present ballot language would deprive the voters of the opportunity to make a meaningful decision."

The ultimate ballot language will be seen by voters in the November general election. The amendment will pass if at least 60% of voters approve it.

The Legislature had a special session to create the proposed constitutional amendment. Gov. Ron DeSantis called the special session, and his office drafted most of the proposal wording, though lawmakers changed parts of it and made the reduction less far-reaching.