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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>

Florida lawmakers give no new money to home-hardening grant fund

But homeowners can still apply for the remaining available money.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Florida lawmakers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/06/24/legislature-funds-popular-home-hardening-program" data-vars-content-id="cb019494-8841-4231-b7a6-a87fc0ecd3ef" data-vars-headline="Florida lawmakers give no new money to home-hardening grant fund" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/06/24/legislature-funds-popular-home-hardening-program" target="_self">Florida lawmakers</a> will allocate no additional money toward a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grant program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/07/03/florida-reopens-hurricane-hardening-grant-how-to-apply" data-vars-content-id="cb019494-8841-4231-b7a6-a87fc0ecd3ef" data-vars-headline="Florida lawmakers give no new money to home-hardening grant fund" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/07/03/florida-reopens-hurricane-hardening-grant-how-to-apply" target="_self">grant program</a> that funds up to $10,000 worth of upgrades to strengthen your home against hurricanes, the Tampa Bay Times <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/02/19/my-safe-florida-home-grant-money-hurricane-windows-doors/" data-vars-content-id="cb019494-8841-4231-b7a6-a87fc0ecd3ef" data-vars-headline="Florida lawmakers give no new money to home-hardening grant fund" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/02/19/my-safe-florida-home-grant-money-hurricane-windows-doors/" target="_blank">reported</a>.Why it matters: Gov. Ron DeSantis asked the Legislature to direct another $100 million to the program, which has seen <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high demand" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2024/07/17/officials-no-longer-accepting-my-safe-florida-home-hardening-applications/" data-vars-content-id="cb019494-8841-4231-b7a6-a87fc0ecd3ef" data-vars-headline="Florida lawmakers give no new money to home-hardening grant fund" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2024/07/17/officials-no-longer-accepting-my-safe-florida-home-hardening-applications/" target="_blank">high demand</a>.

Tampa Bay baby corals join fight to restore Florida's reefs

Thousands of coral babies will be planted on reefs across South Florida and the Keys.

Thousands of baby <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="corals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/07/12/florida-coral-crisis-genetic-rescue-potential-solution" data-vars-content-id="cd02ce0d-2d63-4378-b27a-5e3d4d395ff7" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay baby corals join fight to restore Florida&#x27;s reefs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/07/12/florida-coral-crisis-genetic-rescue-potential-solution" target="_self">corals</a> took a major step this week toward saving Florida&#x27;s struggling reefs.Why it matters: They offer a glimmer of hope for a reef system that&#x27;s shrunk by more than 90% due to disease and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high ocean temperatures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/25/florida-coral-reef-ocean-temperatures" data-vars-content-id="cd02ce0d-2d63-4378-b27a-5e3d4d395ff7" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay baby corals join fight to restore Florida&#x27;s reefs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/25/florida-coral-reef-ocean-temperatures" target="_self">high ocean temperatures</a>, said Keri O&#x27;Neil, Coral Conservation Program director at The Florida Aquarium.

Port Tampa neighbors save bald eagle after fall from cell tower

"It takes good Samaritans to be observant and see that the wildlife is in trouble."

A Tampa bald eagle is on the mend after falling from a cell tower where she&#x27;s nested for years.Why it matters: The female eagle was rescued by her Port Tampa City neighbors, demonstrating how humans can help critters in distress, said <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Raptor Center of Tampa Bay" data-vars-click-url="https://www.raptorcenteroftampabay.org/" data-vars-content-id="d76f6034-9654-4c8a-b498-25cc5ef11437" data-vars-headline="Port Tampa neighbors save bald eagle after fall from cell tower" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.raptorcenteroftampabay.org/" target="_blank">Raptor Center of Tampa Bay</a> president Nancy Murrah.

"Florida snow" thrives in drought, turning lawns into flower fields

The weed is either a nuisance or a delightful byproduct of dry conditions depending on who you ask.

Environment

Florida doesn&#x27;t (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="typically" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/20/polar-vortex-gulf-coast-snow-texas-louisiana-alabama" data-vars-content-id="d67f4f9f-ef1c-49ec-834e-75c0da02771c" data-vars-headline="&quot;Florida snow&quot; thrives in drought, turning lawns into flower fields" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/20/polar-vortex-gulf-coast-snow-texas-louisiana-alabama" target="_self">typically</a>) get snow, but it does get pusley.Why it matters: The weed with white, light purple or pink flowers is either a nuisance or a delightful byproduct of dry conditions, depending on who you ask.

1 in 4 Florida waterways dangerously polluted, report finds

A Tampa Bay Times investigation put into focus how bad the problem is.

Scrolling through this Tampa Bay Times <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://project.tampabay.com/investigations/wasting-away/2025/10/30/florida-lawmakers-protect-polluters-industry-water-contamination/" data-vars-content-id="63272576-c5f9-4c10-9d5f-8c030c37920b" data-vars-headline="1 in 4 Florida waterways dangerously polluted, report finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://project.tampabay.com/investigations/wasting-away/2025/10/30/florida-lawmakers-protect-polluters-industry-water-contamination/" target="_blank">report</a> on Florida&#x27;s water quality, photos of algae-choked springs were sadly familiar.<ul><li>As much as I <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="adore our freshwater marvels" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/08/02/florida-springs-guide-five-stops-a-dozen-springs" data-vars-content-id="63272576-c5f9-4c10-9d5f-8c030c37920b" data-vars-headline="1 in 4 Florida waterways dangerously polluted, report finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/08/02/florida-springs-guide-five-stops-a-dozen-springs" target="_self">adore our freshwater marvels</a>, the slime-coated limestone and tree branches are a sobering reminder of the pollution plaguing our waterways.</li></ul>

Who owns the beach? St. Pete Beach signs spark backlash

The Undertow Beach Bar's signs have reignited an age-old debate over beach access.

The signs went up at the water&#x27;s edge Friday evening with a foreboding message for beachgoers.<ul><li>&quot;PRIVATE BEACH,&quot; read the top marker, followed by the name of a longtime St. Pete Beach establishment, Undertow Beach Bar, and its cheeky kissing lips logo. </li></ul>

How St. Pete residents can score a free tree this weekend

Head to the Autumn Harvest Festival at the Pinellas Pioneer Settlement at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve.

St. Petersburg is giving out <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="free trees" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/04/14/how-st-petersburg-residents-can-get-a-free-tree" data-vars-content-id="4f6e5afa-1c48-4ec6-8b46-edaff891008c" data-vars-headline="How St. Pete residents can score a free tree this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/04/14/how-st-petersburg-residents-can-get-a-free-tree" target="_self">free trees</a> to residents this weekend.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="giveaway" data-vars-click-url="https://www.stpete.org/news_detail_T30_R1489.php" data-vars-content-id="4f6e5afa-1c48-4ec6-8b46-edaff891008c" data-vars-headline="How St. Pete residents can score a free tree this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.stpete.org/news_detail_T30_R1489.php" target="_blank">giveaway</a> is part of the city&#x27;s Community Canopy Initiative, an effort to plant 1,000 trees across the city within a year.

Pinellas beach renourishment underway

Workers began piping sand onto the shoreline last week.

A $126 million project to restore <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pinellas County" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/05/14/beaches-erosion-indian-rocks-beach-pinellas" data-vars-content-id="3cfdebea-a101-4996-aacb-404ce89fc88b" data-vars-headline="Pinellas beach renourishment underway" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/05/14/beaches-erosion-indian-rocks-beach-pinellas" target="_self">Pinellas County</a>&#x27;s storm-battered beaches is underway. Why it matters: A wide, elevated beach helps protect coastal homes, businesses and wildlife from storm surge like what Tampa Bay experienced during last year&#x27;s Hurricane Helene.

Behold the Florida water lily that can hold almost 200 pounds

TikTok cheered as this lily pad became the strongest in the world.

Culture

The waterlily: massive. The stakes: high. The man for the job: Taylor Walker, horticulture manager at Bok Tower Gardens. <ul><li>On a sunny day in mid-August, Walker waded into a pond at the Lake Wales botanical garden and, with water up to his chest, began stacking weight on top of a Victoria cruziana lily pad spanning 5 feet.</li></ul>

Flooding slashed Shore Acres home values after hurricanes, per report

Shore Acres sellers took major losses while inland homes in Disston Heights rose.

Last year&#x27;s brutal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hurricane" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/04/03/2025-hurricane-season-storm-activity-forecast" data-vars-content-id="a844527a-b06f-464c-be97-d8447b6d8251" data-vars-headline="Flooding slashed Shore Acres home values after hurricanes, per report" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/04/03/2025-hurricane-season-storm-activity-forecast" target="_self">hurricane</a> season created a split-screen effect for St. Petersburg home values, the Tampa Bay Times <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/news/real-estate/2025/08/19/st-petersburg-property-value-flood-shore-acres-hurricane/" data-vars-content-id="a844527a-b06f-464c-be97-d8447b6d8251" data-vars-headline="Flooding slashed Shore Acres home values after hurricanes, per report" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/news/real-estate/2025/08/19/st-petersburg-property-value-flood-shore-acres-hurricane/" target="_blank">reported</a>.Why it matters: The report, based on an analysis by the nonprofit Resilience Action Fund, underscores the cost of living in a community vulnerable to flooding.