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

In Pinellas, Pride meets "Faith and Family" pushback

The Faith and Family Month website defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pinellas County" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/03/pinellas-beach-renourishment-army-corps-easements" data-vars-content-id="bd02031d-5aa5-4fbb-8bbb-7b9b800e87c1" data-vars-headline="In Pinellas, Pride meets &quot;Faith and Family&quot; pushback" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/03/pinellas-beach-renourishment-army-corps-easements" target="_self">Pinellas County</a> commissioners this year became the latest elected officials mired in friction between Pride Month and a burgeoning movement declaring June as &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Faith and Family Month" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/06/09/clearwater-snubs-pride-faith-and-family-month" data-vars-content-id="bd02031d-5aa5-4fbb-8bbb-7b9b800e87c1" data-vars-headline="In Pinellas, Pride meets &quot;Faith and Family&quot; pushback" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/06/09/clearwater-snubs-pride-faith-and-family-month" target="_self">Faith and Family Month</a>.&quot;Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="All seven commissioners" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/ChrisForPinellas/posts/pfbid02cw53YWqSmwhMDC97XMguSwrCTQwZZiDPTB4Eoq5ndWKYKYtCkjiunodo4Z8sjQXol" data-vars-content-id="bd02031d-5aa5-4fbb-8bbb-7b9b800e87c1" data-vars-headline="In Pinellas, Pride meets &quot;Faith and Family&quot; pushback" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/ChrisForPinellas/posts/pfbid02cw53YWqSmwhMDC97XMguSwrCTQwZZiDPTB4Eoq5ndWKYKYtCkjiunodo4Z8sjQXol" target="_blank">All seven commissioners</a> signed a Faith and Family Month declaration, which several said they understood to reflect a broad celebration of families and faith communities.<ul><li>But the movement&#x27;s origins —and emails commissioners received after their chair circulated a proclamation that would also acknowledge Pride Month — point to a less-inclusive belief system.</li></ul>

Florida sues OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman over ChatGPT

It's part a string of lawsuits the state has filed against Big Tech companies.

Technology

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier on Monday sued <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="OpenAI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/29/openai-biodefense-program" data-vars-content-id="61d4f42a-b21a-438a-b1bb-d15451c1964f" data-vars-headline="Florida sues OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman over ChatGPT" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/29/openai-biodefense-program" target="_self">OpenAI</a> and its CEO Sam Altman, alleging that the company marketed ChatGPT to the public without sufficiently warning of its dangers. Why it matters: Florida is the first state to sue OpenAI, part of a growing string of lawsuits the state has filed against Big Tech companies, including <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Meta" data-vars-click-url="https://www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrelease/attorney-general-moody-takes-legal-action-against-meta-protect-children" data-vars-content-id="61d4f42a-b21a-438a-b1bb-d15451c1964f" data-vars-headline="Florida sues OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman over ChatGPT" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrelease/attorney-general-moody-takes-legal-action-against-meta-protect-children" target="_blank">Meta</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Snapchat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrelease/attorney-general-james-uthmeier-takes-legal-action-against-snapchat" data-vars-content-id="61d4f42a-b21a-438a-b1bb-d15451c1964f" data-vars-headline="Florida sues OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman over ChatGPT" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrelease/attorney-general-james-uthmeier-takes-legal-action-against-snapchat" target="_blank">Snapchat</a>.

These are the storm names for the 2026 hurricane season

Here are this year's names we hope won't live in infamy.

Climate

From <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Katrina" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/08/21/new-data-new-orleans-displaced-hurricane-katrina" data-vars-content-id="a310c30a-b036-4430-9f9f-a2a3d496c1ab" data-vars-headline="These are the storm names for the 2026 hurricane season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/08/21/new-data-new-orleans-displaced-hurricane-katrina" target="_self">Katrina</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Milton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/10/10/hurricane-milton-wind-damage-rainfall-flooding" data-vars-content-id="a310c30a-b036-4430-9f9f-a2a3d496c1ab" data-vars-headline="These are the storm names for the 2026 hurricane season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/10/10/hurricane-milton-wind-damage-rainfall-flooding" target="_self">Milton</a>, every few storm seasons, a new name or two takes on an infamous reputation.Why it matters: For those in affected areas, a hurricane&#x27;s name lingers as a one-word shorthand for the communal trauma of living through and recovering from a natural disaster.

St. Pete raises last Pride flag before DEI ban begins

Mayor Ken Welch said he didn't know yet whether the law would bar the city from doing so next year.

St. Petersburg leaders on went all out for a Pride Month on Thursday with a block party and flag-raising. Why it matters: It&#x27;s the last city-organized Pride celebration before a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new state law" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/03/05/florida-diversity-dei-bill" data-vars-content-id="541f119c-7f9e-4a38-af35-60f4a79fbfe6" data-vars-headline="St. Pete raises last Pride flag before DEI ban begins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/03/05/florida-diversity-dei-bill" target="_self">new state law</a> banning cities and counties from funding and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion programs goes into effect Jan. 1.

How Tampa Bay fared in Florida's $114 billion budget

The budget earmarks multimillion-dollar sums for projects in Tampa Bay.

Money

Lawmakers in Tallahassee have at last worked out <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="this year&#x27;s budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/11/state-lawmakers-sort-out-state-budget-sales-tax-holidays-and-more" data-vars-content-id="98206c3e-35ab-4529-93ab-0f8d7966b800" data-vars-headline="How Tampa Bay fared in Florida&#x27;s $114 billion budget" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/11/state-lawmakers-sort-out-state-budget-sales-tax-holidays-and-more" target="_self">this year&#x27;s budget</a> — two months after the regular session ended— and will vote on it Friday. Why it matters: Tampa Bay fared well in budget negotiations, with many of the region&#x27;s requests funded even after being halved or omitted in earlier drafts.

What Tampa Bay homeowners do for a living

STEM and technical workers are most likely to own homes in Tampa Bay.

STEM and technical workers are most likely to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="own homes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/affordable-homes-metro-income" data-vars-content-id="87044b87-f275-4743-ab8b-1d2e7547c462" data-vars-headline="What Tampa Bay homeowners do for a living" 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">own homes</a> in Tampa Bay, according to a new National Association of Realtors analysis. The big picture: In Tampa Bay, fields like engineering and computer science have outpaced management and business professionals in the share of workers who own homes over the last decade.

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.

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.

Where House, Senate budgets differ on Tampa Bay priorities

Tens of millions of dollars in Tampa Bay projects are caught between the two chambers.

Florida&#x27;s House and Senate unveiled competing budget proposals last week that put dozens of local projects up for negotiation.Why it matters: Tens of millions of dollars in Tampa Bay projects are caught between the two chambers — including a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$50 million campus overhaul" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/22/hillsborough-college-asks-state-50-million-clear-way-rays-stadium" data-vars-content-id="998ebc76-cc5a-4409-ac9d-8b3707012572" data-vars-headline="Where House, Senate budgets differ on Tampa Bay priorities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/22/hillsborough-college-asks-state-50-million-clear-way-rays-stadium" target="_self">$50 million campus overhaul</a> at Hillsborough College that would make room for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new Rays stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/rays-new-stadium-renderings-hillsborough-college" data-vars-content-id="998ebc76-cc5a-4409-ac9d-8b3707012572" data-vars-headline="Where House, Senate budgets differ on Tampa Bay priorities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/rays-new-stadium-renderings-hillsborough-college" target="_self">new Rays stadium</a>.

How the Florida House wants to cut property taxes

Four proposals to slash property taxes in Florida are nearing the floor of the state House.

Four proposed constitutional amendments to slash property taxes in Florida are nearing the floor of the state House.Why it matters: The proposals intend to exempt homestead properties, a homeowner&#x27;s principal residence, from some or all property taxes — leaving in place only those levied by school districts.

Inside Tampa's proposed $1.9-billion budget

The budget lays bare the city's priorities, dollar by dollar.

The City of Tampa will hold its first public hearing Wednesday for the proposed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026 operating budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampa.gov/budget/info/fy2026-budget" data-vars-content-id="4d0c6833-c29d-427d-bbfc-343825da1378" data-vars-headline="Inside Tampa&#x27;s proposed $1.9-billion budget" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampa.gov/budget/info/fy2026-budget" target="_blank">2026 operating budget</a>, which comes in at a whopping $1.9 billion.Why it matters: The budget lays bare the city&#x27;s priorities, dollar by dollar — with millions set aside for storm preparation and flood mitigation to address pain points from hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Tampa Bay residents to see $4K tax cut in 2026

See what your county's average tax break is, thanks to the "big, beautiful bill."

The average Tampa Bay resident will see a federal tax cut of nearly $4,000 in 2026 thanks to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;big, beautiful bill,&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/04/trump-signs-big-beautiful-bill-tax-spending-budget" data-vars-content-id="75e77744-6c90-4665-bc95-2a0955c9c3e1" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay residents to see $4K tax cut in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/04/trump-signs-big-beautiful-bill-tax-spending-budget" target="_self">&quot;big, beautiful bill,&quot;</a> according to an analysis from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tax Foundation" data-vars-click-url="https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/federal/obbba-average-tax-cuts-impact-map/" data-vars-content-id="75e77744-6c90-4665-bc95-2a0955c9c3e1" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay residents to see $4K tax cut in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/federal/obbba-average-tax-cuts-impact-map/" target="_blank">Tax Foundation</a>, a nonpartisan research group that mostly supports lower taxes.Why it matters: That&#x27;s money people can spend on rent, groceries or bills, which may be needed next year as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="inflation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bankrate.com/banking/federal-reserve/wage-to-inflation-index/#hotter" data-vars-content-id="75e77744-6c90-4665-bc95-2a0955c9c3e1" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay residents to see $4K tax cut in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bankrate.com/banking/federal-reserve/wage-to-inflation-index/#hotter" target="_blank">inflation</a> outpaces wages, and tariffs threaten to increase costs even further.

What tariffs mean for back-to-school shopping in Florida

Back-to-school is the second-biggest retail event of the year, after the holidays.

Parents are heading into the 2025 back-to-school season facing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rising prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/10/trump-tariffs-shoes" data-vars-content-id="75606e68-20f4-48ee-8870-862584a1aa65" data-vars-headline="What tariffs mean for back-to-school shopping in Florida" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/10/trump-tariffs-shoes" target="_self">rising prices</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="looming tariffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/economy/tariffs" data-vars-content-id="75606e68-20f4-48ee-8870-862584a1aa65" data-vars-headline="What tariffs mean for back-to-school shopping in Florida" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/economy/tariffs" target="_self">looming tariffs</a> — forcing them to shop smarter and earlier.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Back-to-school" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/02/back-to-school-2024-cellphone-bans" data-vars-content-id="75606e68-20f4-48ee-8870-862584a1aa65" data-vars-headline="What tariffs mean for back-to-school shopping in Florida" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/02/back-to-school-2024-cellphone-bans" target="_self">Back-to-school</a> is the second-biggest retail event of the year, after the holidays.

How Trump's "big, beautiful bill" could affect Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay's working-class and older residents are expected to be the hardest hit.

The impact of Trump&#x27;s signature tax and spending legislation, the &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="big, beautiful bill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/02/big-beautiful-bill-gambling-food-stamps" data-vars-content-id="2c96ebf6-a024-4856-ac35-bb3d1813a02a" data-vars-headline="How Trump&#x27;s &quot;big, beautiful bill&quot; could affect Tampa Bay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/02/big-beautiful-bill-gambling-food-stamps" target="_self">big, beautiful bill</a>,&quot; will depend on where you sit in the economy, says University of South Florida economics professor Michael Snipes.Why it matters: Tampa Bay&#x27;s working-class and older residents are expected to be the hardest hit.

What Florida GOP's budget truce means for Tampa Bay projects

Republicans in the Florida Legislature agreed on and passed a $115.1 billion state budget.

Republicans in the Florida Legislature passed a $115.1 billion state budget and $1.3 billion tax relief plan earlier this month.Why it matters: GOP lawmakers blew past the 60-day deadline, dragging out the process with threats, insults and 45 days of overtime. Now, it&#x27;s up to Gov. Ron DeSantis to decide whether to sign it.