Tampa Bay

Picture of the Tampa Bay skyline with TPA written across it.

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Tampa Bay with Kathryn Varn and Yacob Reyes.

Axios Tampa Bay

Standard

Axios Tampa Bay Partners

Axios Tampa Bay Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

A guide to fun things to do in Tampa Bay this weekend.

Axios Tampa Bay Weekender

Weekender

Tampa Members

Membership

Axios Tampa Bay Deep Dive

Deep Dive

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>.

Florida's ACA enrollment drops after loss of subsidies

Fewer people in Florida enrolled in the marketplace this year than last year, a drop of about 261,000 people.

Julee Ellison of Bradenton never thought much about politics, much less what it meant for her health care. Then, she retired at 59. Too young for Medicare, she turned to the federal marketplace for coverage in 2024. <ul><li>The cost surprised her even then: a $672 premium that felt like &quot;a car payment.&quot; </li><li>Ellison didn&#x27;t realize she had benefited from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/08/house-pass-aca-obamacare-subsidies-extension" data-vars-content-id="3435352e-0d92-48fc-bd68-548e60a7b1a6" data-vars-headline="Florida&#x27;s ACA enrollment drops after loss of subsidies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/08/house-pass-aca-obamacare-subsidies-extension" target="_self">Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies</a> until Republicans let them lapse this month — and her premium nearly tripled.</li></ul>Why it matters: Ellison is among 4.4 million Floridians who enrolled in the federal marketplace this year. She, like countless others, settled for a plan that cost more than her previous one but offered far less coverage.

Tampa Bay's measles vaccinations fall short

Measles is highly contagious and can lead to severe illnesses such as pneumonia or encephalitis and, in some cases, death.

Health

Tampa Bay counties don&#x27;t meet the herd immunity <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="threshold for measles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/30/us-texas-measles-cases-cdc-vaccine-rfk-jr" data-vars-content-id="d00abb7a-0f29-487e-b028-74b13741563b" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay&#x27;s measles vaccinations fall short" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/30/us-texas-measles-cases-cdc-vaccine-rfk-jr" target="_self">threshold for measles</a>, according to recent data collected and analyzed by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Washington Post" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/43404148.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" data-vars-content-id="d00abb7a-0f29-487e-b028-74b13741563b" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay&#x27;s measles vaccinations fall short" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/43404148.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" target="_self">Washington Post</a>.Why it matters: That threshold (at least 95%) is the vaccination rate multiple <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public" data-vars-click-url="https://publichealth.jhu.edu/sites/default/files/2024-09/Measles-Risk-Assessment-Methodology_9.19.24.pdf" data-vars-content-id="d00abb7a-0f29-487e-b028-74b13741563b" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay&#x27;s measles vaccinations fall short" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://publichealth.jhu.edu/sites/default/files/2024-09/Measles-Risk-Assessment-Methodology_9.19.24.pdf" target="_blank">public</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/measles/measles-vaccine/?srsltid=AfmBOoqdcCD3Rg0WjZ5GhMKsh4Zvun9Jc2AJ1bb3oCB-B9ceaSr8qX5c" data-vars-content-id="d00abb7a-0f29-487e-b028-74b13741563b" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay&#x27;s measles vaccinations fall short" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/measles/measles-vaccine/?srsltid=AfmBOoqdcCD3Rg0WjZ5GhMKsh4Zvun9Jc2AJ1bb3oCB-B9ceaSr8qX5c" target="_blank">health</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="authorities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/global-measles-vaccination/about/index.html" data-vars-content-id="d00abb7a-0f29-487e-b028-74b13741563b" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay&#x27;s measles vaccinations fall short" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/global-measles-vaccination/about/index.html" target="_blank">authorities</a> say is necessary to contain the virus&#x27;s spread.

Tampa Bay's looming health care crisis

Hundreds of thousands of Tampa Bay residents rely on expiring ACA subsidies.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="longest federal government shutdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/13/house-passes-package-end-government-shutdown" data-vars-content-id="e3aad260-78ca-44ed-a069-d54c32d985a2" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay&#x27;s looming health care crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/13/house-passes-package-end-government-shutdown" target="_self">longest federal government shutdown</a> in history is over, but for Floridians, a healthcare crisis could now be beginning.Why it matters: Hundreds of thousands of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tampa Bay residents rely" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/09/29/tampa-bay-federal-government-shutdown-health-care" data-vars-content-id="e3aad260-78ca-44ed-a069-d54c32d985a2" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay&#x27;s looming health care crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/09/29/tampa-bay-federal-government-shutdown-health-care" target="_self">Tampa Bay residents rely</a> on expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies to afford health care, and without them, average premiums could spike by 88%.

Botox boom: Florida millennials almost matching Gen X shot for shot

The Sunshine State mirrors a national trend.

The Botox gap between millennials and Gen X is shrinking in Florida and nationwide, according to Qsight data shared with Axios.Why it matters: Botox appointments are becoming about as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mainstream" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/25/cosmetic-plastic-surgery-gen-z" data-vars-content-id="7bbc6d4e-0a04-4d78-b9a8-629939ef390c" data-vars-headline="Botox boom: Florida millennials almost matching Gen X shot for shot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/25/cosmetic-plastic-surgery-gen-z" target="_self">mainstream</a> as hair appointments.

Care quality drops as investors buy up Florida nursing homes, report finds

A new report finds at least 156 nursing homes were acquired by private equity firms.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Private equity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/04/14/private-equity-apartments-tampa-st-petersburg" data-vars-content-id="05ddd2e4-ef4e-4c33-bec9-d9138fdb150d" data-vars-headline="Care quality drops as investors buy up Florida nursing homes, 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/2025/04/14/private-equity-apartments-tampa-st-petersburg" target="_self">Private equity</a> investors are buying up Florida nursing homes, according to a new report.Why it matters: The trend is often linked to a decline in quality of care, researchers found, and the complex, often anonymous ownership structures make it difficult to pinpoint who or what to hold accountable.

St. Pete launches fluoride program for underserved kids

It comes three months after state leaders banned the chemical from public drinking water.

St. Petersburg officials announced a dental health program to bring free <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fluoride" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/01/31/hillsborough-fluoride-drinking-water-florida" data-vars-content-id="5305cb38-560f-4d10-9e3d-3f1c311e2936" data-vars-headline="St. Pete launches fluoride program for underserved kids" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/01/31/hillsborough-fluoride-drinking-water-florida" target="_self">fluoride</a> services to underserved youth.Why it matters: The new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fluoride for Families" data-vars-click-url="https://www.stpete.org/news_detail_T30_R1498.php" data-vars-content-id="5305cb38-560f-4d10-9e3d-3f1c311e2936" data-vars-headline="St. Pete launches fluoride program for underserved kids" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.stpete.org/news_detail_T30_R1498.php" target="_blank">Fluoride for Families</a> program comes three months after state lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="banned the chemical from public drinking water" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/06/13/tampa-bay-fluoride-ban-drinking-water" data-vars-content-id="5305cb38-560f-4d10-9e3d-3f1c311e2936" data-vars-headline="St. Pete launches fluoride program for underserved kids" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/06/13/tampa-bay-fluoride-ban-drinking-water" target="_self">banned the chemical from public drinking water</a>.

Florida kindergartners lead Southeast in vaccine opt-outs

The new school year is bringing confusion over children's vaccines.

The new school year is bringing more ambivalence and confusion over children&#x27;s vaccines, with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shifting policies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/13/rfk-jr-covid-vaccine-policy-cdc" data-vars-content-id="d26b18bb-1a6c-41f3-807c-9f13ecc2e709" data-vars-headline="Florida kindergartners lead Southeast in vaccine opt-outs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/13/rfk-jr-covid-vaccine-policy-cdc" target="_self">shifting policies</a> under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and lingering skepticism leading more parents to opt out.Why it matters: The number of kindergartners in Florida with non-medical vaccine exemptions rose this year, part of a national retreat from routine vaccination that coincides with the worst measles outbreak in 30 years.

Kratom in Tampa Bay kava bars: How it differs from FDA crackdown

"We think it's night and day in terms of the public health risk," the FDA commissioner said.

When federal health regulators last week announced plans to control a compound found in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="kratom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/29/kratom-safety-regulation-warning-fda" data-vars-content-id="d248c881-8bcf-4eb3-bb3b-7583220c7d24" data-vars-headline="Kratom in Tampa Bay kava bars: How it differs from FDA crackdown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/29/kratom-safety-regulation-warning-fda" target="_self">kratom</a> plant, they made one big distinction:<ul><li>&quot;We&#x27;re not targeting the kratom leaf or ground up kratom,&quot; Food and Drug Administration commissioner Marty Makary <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="told reporters" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1ZkKzYRdaywxv" data-vars-content-id="d248c881-8bcf-4eb3-bb3b-7583220c7d24" data-vars-headline="Kratom in Tampa Bay kava bars: How it differs from FDA crackdown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1ZkKzYRdaywxv" target="_blank">told reporters</a>. &quot;We are targeting the concentrated synthetic byproduct that is an opioid.&quot;</li></ul>

Florida among most restrictive states for birth control access

Contraception access has become a political flashpoint since the Supreme Court ended Roe v. Wade.

Florida is among states with the most restrictive access to contraception, a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="scorecard" data-vars-click-url="https://stateofaccess.prb.org/" data-vars-content-id="86a6fec9-030d-4547-b16f-9258cd6bded0" data-vars-headline="Florida among most restrictive states for birth control access" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://stateofaccess.prb.org/" target="_blank">scorecard</a> from the Population Reference Bureau shows.Why it matters: Contraception access has become a political flashpoint since the Supreme Court ended Roe v. Wade, with Democrats unsuccessfully pressing to codify contraceptive access nationwide and some patients concerned that conservative state legislatures could enact new curbs.

Abortion support nonprofit launches Florida-targeted ads

In the year since the state's six-week abortion ban went into effect, more Floridians seeking care have been forced to leave the state.

A nonprofit that helps cover travel costs for people seeking <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="abortions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/04/15/florida-abortion-data-2024" data-vars-content-id="6819ad00-9cb4-49e5-b9b0-6a4ad577a526" data-vars-headline="Abortion support nonprofit launches Florida-targeted ads" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/04/15/florida-abortion-data-2024" target="_self">abortions</a> this week launched an advertising campaign in Florida.Why it matters: In the year since the state&#x27;s six-week abortion ban went into effect, more Floridians seeking care <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="have been forced to leave the state" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/04/15/florida-abortion-data-2024" data-vars-content-id="6819ad00-9cb4-49e5-b9b0-6a4ad577a526" data-vars-headline="Abortion support nonprofit launches Florida-targeted ads" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/04/15/florida-abortion-data-2024" target="_self">have been forced to leave the state</a>.

Health 🩺

Florida's ACA enrollment drops after loss of subsidies

Tampa Bay's measles vaccinations fall short

Tampa Bay's looming health care crisis

Botox boom: Florida millennials almost matching Gen X shot for shot

Care quality drops as investors buy up Florida nursing homes, report finds