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What Florida's property tax overhaul could cost local governments

The state House has added three property tax amendments to its calendar for floor votes.

News

Tampa Bay governments stand to lose hundreds of millions in tax collections if property tax changes advancing in the Legislature become law, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.floridapolicy.org/posts/bill-summary-hjr-201-203-205-207-209-211-and-213?mc_cid=c9718583ff&amp;mc_eid=81b69123db" data-vars-content-id="575fd09a-059e-4ac7-ae22-d5afea179106" data-vars-headline="What Florida&#x27;s property tax overhaul could cost local governments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.floridapolicy.org/posts/bill-summary-hjr-201-203-205-207-209-211-and-213?mc_cid=c9718583ff&amp;mc_eid=81b69123db" target="_blank">report</a> by the Florida Policy Institute (FPI).Why it matters: The House has added <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="three of those amendments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/11/where-property-tax-cuts-other-bills-stand-in-the-florida-legislature" data-vars-content-id="575fd09a-059e-4ac7-ae22-d5afea179106" data-vars-headline="What Florida&#x27;s property tax overhaul could cost local governments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/11/where-property-tax-cuts-other-bills-stand-in-the-florida-legislature" target="_self">three of those amendments</a> to its calendar for floor votes, with HJR 203 up first, on Thursday.

Florida senator's proposal could hinder Manatee cruise port

The proposal would restrict dredging in the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve.

A Florida lawmaker filed legislation to bolster environmental protections of the waters around the site of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="proposed cruise port" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/28/skyway-cruise-port-rattlesnake-key-manatee-county" data-vars-content-id="d0c025ad-33a6-4f97-b27c-8fceff608b91" data-vars-headline="Florida senator&#x27;s proposal could hinder Manatee cruise port" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/28/skyway-cruise-port-rattlesnake-key-manatee-county" target="_self">proposed cruise port</a> in Manatee County.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="proposal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/302/Amendment/117522/PDF" data-vars-content-id="d0c025ad-33a6-4f97-b27c-8fceff608b91" data-vars-headline="Florida senator&#x27;s proposal could hinder Manatee cruise port" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/302/Amendment/117522/PDF" target="_blank">proposal</a>, filed Wednesday afternoon by Bradenton Sen. Jim Boyd, could derail plans for the contentious port project, which is planned for a tract of land near the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve.

Florida homebuyers are scoring deals — but prices remain high

Still-high mortgage rates and home prices have sidelined many shoppers. But those who remain in the market are scoring the biggest deals in years.

The average discount for Tampa metro area <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/affordable-homes-metro-income" data-vars-content-id="3cc27a5a-d5e1-492e-af79-93885e72426a" data-vars-headline="Florida homebuyers are scoring deals — but prices remain high" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/affordable-homes-metro-income" target="_self">homes</a> that sold below their original asking price last year was nearly 10%.<ul><li>That&#x27;s one of the largest discounts among major U.S. cities analyzed in a recent Redfin <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.redfin.com/news/homebuyer-discounts-below-list-price-2025/" data-vars-content-id="3cc27a5a-d5e1-492e-af79-93885e72426a" data-vars-headline="Florida homebuyers are scoring deals — but prices remain high" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.redfin.com/news/homebuyer-discounts-below-list-price-2025/" target="_blank">report</a>.</li></ul>

St. Pete, Clearwater Duke fight looms over Florida elections

A new report flags Florida as a 2026 energy battleground.

Energy affordability will likely be a top issue among Florida voters in this year&#x27;s midterm elections, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report" data-vars-click-url="https://echocomms.com/the-10-energy-affordability-battlegrounds/" data-vars-content-id="f5d04439-6e8a-4ae5-b488-772dcb5cced2" data-vars-headline="St. Pete, Clearwater Duke fight looms over Florida elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://echocomms.com/the-10-energy-affordability-battlegrounds/" target="_blank">new report</a>. Why it matters: Nowhere is that more apparent than in Tampa Bay, where two cities are considering <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dropping their contracts with corporate utility Duke Energy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/09/25/clearwater-utility-study-duke-energy" data-vars-content-id="f5d04439-6e8a-4ae5-b488-772dcb5cced2" data-vars-headline="St. Pete, Clearwater Duke fight looms over Florida elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/09/25/clearwater-utility-study-duke-energy" target="_self">dropping their contracts with corporate utility Duke Energy</a> over mounting frustration with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sky-high power bills" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/news/2025/11/13/duke-energy-tampa-electric-florida-energy-bill-increase-why/" data-vars-content-id="f5d04439-6e8a-4ae5-b488-772dcb5cced2" data-vars-headline="St. Pete, Clearwater Duke fight looms over Florida elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/news/2025/11/13/duke-energy-tampa-electric-florida-energy-bill-increase-why/" target="_blank">sky-high power bills</a>.

Charter schools eye space in Tampa Bay public schools

It's the latest charter school expansion that public education advocates worry will come at the expense of traditional schools.

Charter school operators are seeking to share building space with dozens of public schools in Tampa Bay.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest charter school expansion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/05/12/florida-pathway-charters-private-schools-education" data-vars-content-id="cd6eca58-8c0b-4e3e-837e-d7da4545fe19" data-vars-headline="Charter schools eye space in Tampa Bay public schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/05/12/florida-pathway-charters-private-schools-education" target="_self">latest charter school expansion</a> that public education advocates worry will come at the expense of traditional schools.<ul><li>Under the state law setting the framework for campus colocation, school districts foot the bill for custodial, food and other services.</li></ul>

Hillsborough lawmakers propose referendum to elect superintendent

Voters may soon decide whether Hillsborough County's superintendent is appointed or elected.

Education

Voters may soon decide whether Hillsborough County&#x27;s superintendent is appointed or elected.Why it matters: Hillsborough could be <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the largest district" data-vars-click-url="https://fsba.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-School-Board-Superintendent-Elections-Composition.pdf" data-vars-content-id="deb520b9-5141-4b5c-b55b-b4db0ec89b27" data-vars-headline="Hillsborough lawmakers propose referendum to elect superintendent" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fsba.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-School-Board-Superintendent-Elections-Composition.pdf" target="_blank">the largest district</a> in the state where voters, not the school board, pick the superintendent.<ul><li>The proposal comes as the state has been trying, for years, to influence the school district&#x27;s leadership.</li></ul>

Early learning gets a big lift in Pinellas County

The Juvenile Welfare Board is investing $118M into programs spanning maternal health, mental wellness, safe sleep, parent education and more.

Partners

More than $100 million is being invested in programs and initiatives to improve children&#x27;s futures, including significant investments to boost early learning and support Pinellas County families with young children in the formative years, birth to three.Why it&#x27;s important: Babies&#x27; brains are like supercomputers, absorbing and analyzing information from birth — and 80% of brain growth happens in the first 1,000 days of life.<ul><li>When families have support during this critical window, outcomes in a child&#x27;s education, health and economic mobility improve dramatically.</li></ul>

USF, FSU climb in U.S. News college rankings

The University of Florida maintained its positions from last year.

Five Florida schools made the top 100 of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. News &amp; World&#x27;s rankings" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/41671565.76/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudXNuZXdzLmNvbS9iZXN0LWNvbGxlZ2VzP3NyYz11c25fcHImdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/647f4069741ec9aad903c383Bf58d2773" data-vars-content-id="c19b0ea8-0123-4e36-babe-86eab14802a4" data-vars-headline="USF, FSU climb in U.S. News college rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/41671565.76/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudXNuZXdzLmNvbS9iZXN0LWNvbGxlZ2VzP3NyYz11c25fcHImdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/647f4069741ec9aad903c383Bf58d2773" target="_self">U.S. News &amp; World&#x27;s rankings</a> for the best national colleges.The big picture: The annual rankings evaluate nearly 1,700 higher education institutions on 17 measures of academic quality, per U.S. News.

AI‑powered private school lands in Tampa

An <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI-driven" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/08/27/alpha-schools-ai-artifical-intelligence-education?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="0ab6cd96-5276-4cfd-bc7c-e322a5a79797" data-vars-headline="AI‑powered private school lands in Tampa" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/08/27/alpha-schools-ai-artifical-intelligence-education?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" target="_self">AI-driven</a> private school is opening this winter in Tampa, one of eight new campuses Texas-based Alpha Schools has in the works to double its U.S. footprint.Why it matters: Alpha Schools is riding the parental school choice movement while embracing the technology that will shape kids&#x27; futures — a challenge public schools are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grappling with" data-vars-click-url="https://virginiamercury.com/2025/01/16/youngkin-democrats-clash-over-scholarships-for-private-schools/" data-vars-content-id="0ab6cd96-5276-4cfd-bc7c-e322a5a79797" data-vars-headline="AI‑powered private school lands in Tampa" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://virginiamercury.com/2025/01/16/youngkin-democrats-clash-over-scholarships-for-private-schools/" target="_blank">grappling with</a>.

Education Department cuts could worsen Tampa Bay area schools' woes

School districts already are struggling with teacher shortages and falling test scores.

The Trump administration says it wants to empower local schools by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dismantling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/13/trump-republicans-eliminate-education-department" data-vars-content-id="3a10be4a-dd32-4b7e-b015-957dafc04391" data-vars-headline="Education Department cuts could worsen Tampa Bay area schools&#x27; woes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/13/trump-republicans-eliminate-education-department" target="_self">dismantling</a> the U.S. Department of Education.<ul><li>The catch: Local school districts in Florida and nationwide already are struggling with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="teacher shortages" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/02/teacher-pay-salary-low-gap-chart-graph" data-vars-content-id="3a10be4a-dd32-4b7e-b015-957dafc04391" data-vars-headline="Education Department cuts could worsen Tampa Bay area schools&#x27; woes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/02/teacher-pay-salary-low-gap-chart-graph" target="_self">teacher shortages</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="falling test scores" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/17/biden-education-student-achievement-absenteeism" data-vars-content-id="3a10be4a-dd32-4b7e-b015-957dafc04391" data-vars-headline="Education Department cuts could worsen Tampa Bay area schools&#x27; woes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/17/biden-education-student-achievement-absenteeism" target="_self">falling test scores</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="budget cuts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/04/14/miami-dade-schools-budget-cuts" data-vars-content-id="3a10be4a-dd32-4b7e-b015-957dafc04391" data-vars-headline="Education Department cuts could worsen Tampa Bay area schools&#x27; woes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/04/14/miami-dade-schools-budget-cuts" target="_self">budget cuts</a>.</li></ul>Why it matters: Those measures of instability — along with ongoing debates over what should be taught, and how — are just a few of the problems local systems are facing as the White House signals that less help could be coming.

New College official out after latest arrest on exposure charge

Fred Piccolo Jr. "is no longer with the college," per a statement.

A top <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New College of Florida" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/11/13/new-college-florida-class-woke-movement" data-vars-content-id="6a084fc8-5e04-4ce3-a8c7-06b2698294cf" data-vars-headline="New College official out after latest arrest on exposure charge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/11/13/new-college-florida-class-woke-movement" target="_self">New College of Florida</a> official and former communications director for Gov. Ron DeSantis was arrested Tuesday on a charge of exposure of sexual organs, according to police records.State of play: Fred Piccolo Jr., the college&#x27;s former marketing and media director, &quot;is no longer employed by the college,&quot; according to an unsigned statement from the college&#x27;s communications department shared with Axios. His name was also scrubbed from the college&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="website" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncf.edu/directory/fred-piccolo/" data-vars-content-id="6a084fc8-5e04-4ce3-a8c7-06b2698294cf" data-vars-headline="New College official out after latest arrest on exposure charge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncf.edu/directory/fred-piccolo/" target="_blank">website</a>.

Northeast students are heading to Florida for college

Warm weather, affordability and politics have prompted a teenage migration from the Northeast to the South.

Warm weather, affordability and politics have prompted a teenage migration from the Northeast to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="South" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/11/22/best-southerner-things-virginia-south" data-vars-content-id="73d4f1a4-9bf8-4d6d-b366-46b20179dcbb" data-vars-headline="Northeast students are heading to Florida for college" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/11/22/best-southerner-things-virginia-south" target="_self">South</a>, including at the University of Florida.Why it matters: Large Southern state schools, many in already <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expanding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/13/american-population-metro-areas-immigration" data-vars-content-id="73d4f1a4-9bf8-4d6d-b366-46b20179dcbb" data-vars-headline="Northeast students are heading to Florida for college" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/13/american-population-metro-areas-immigration" target="_self">expanding</a> metro areas, are attracting a geographically diverse student body as Americans are increasingly<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" disillusioned" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/04/college-graduates-median-annual-wage-difference" data-vars-content-id="73d4f1a4-9bf8-4d6d-b366-46b20179dcbb" data-vars-headline="Northeast students are heading to Florida for college" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/04/college-graduates-median-annual-wage-difference" target="_self"> disillusioned</a> with the value of higher education.

District says Pinellas schools won't enforce immigration law despite chief's ICE application

The district responded after news surfaced that its police department had applied to partner with ICE.

Pinellas County Schools says it won&#x27;t enforce federal immigration law, even after news surfaced that its police department had applied to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.Why it matters: The school district of more than 91,000 students would have become the first in the U.S. to enter such an agreement with the federal government, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tampa Bay Times" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2025/03/06/pinellas-school-police-wont-join-immigration-enforcement-effort/" data-vars-content-id="768194e5-89ec-4469-81fc-ea0fbcf9656f" data-vars-headline="District says Pinellas schools won&#x27;t enforce immigration law despite chief&#x27;s ICE application" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2025/03/06/pinellas-school-police-wont-join-immigration-enforcement-effort/" target="_blank">Tampa Bay Times</a> reported.

Florida ed department says it will cooperate with federal immigration enforcement

The state's cooperation could discourage undocumented parents from enrolling their children in public schools.

Politics

The Florida Department of Education plans to cooperate with the Trump administration&#x27;s new directive to allow immigration enforcement within schools.Why it matters: The state&#x27;s cooperation could discourage undocumented parents from sending their children to school.

Education 📚

Charter schools eye space in Tampa Bay public schools

Hillsborough lawmakers propose referendum to elect superintendent

Early learning gets a big lift in Pinellas County

USF, FSU climb in U.S. News college rankings

AI‑powered private school lands in Tampa