Axios Tampa Bay

June 16, 2026
💪 It's Tuesday! Rise and grind!
🌧️ Today's weather: Isolated rain showers then scattered showers and thunderstorms, with a high of 93 and a low of 79.
Sounds like: "Doors," Noah Kahan.
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Today's newsletter is 1,042 words, a 4-minute read.
1 big thing: How Hillsborough could handle tax cut
Hillsborough County may have to consider layoffs, service cuts and new taxes if voters approve the state's sweeping property tax overhaul.
Why it matters: The county would lose an estimated $367 million in annual property tax revenue, money that had primarily gone toward the sheriff's office, fire rescue, transportation, emergency management and parks.
- County officials are prioritizing public safety and infrastructure, which could mean reducing or eliminating other services residents rely on.
Driving the news: Commissioners asked staff earlier this month to examine how the property tax amendment could affect the county's budget.
- The report, released as part of Wednesday's agenda, shows the county may have to resort to drastic measures to offset the revenue losses.
Zoom in: Nonprofits that receive funding from the county — which include Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, the Museum of Science and Innovation (MOSI) and the Humane Society of Tampa Bay — could be cut off.
- County employees could face a compensation freeze for at least one year, if not longer, and the county would pause hiring and reduce its workforce.
- The county may have to dip into its reserves to absorb revenue loss over several years and consider new or increased taxes or fees, including an additional five-cent fuel tax and increased park fees.
- Parks, Aging, Children's Services and Pet Resources, among other services, may have to be reduced or eliminated, and some county properties and facilities would have to be sold.
Yes, but: No decisions have been made yet, and there's no telling whether the constitutional amendment will reach the 60% threshold needed to pass.
- Staff are only outlining options commissioners could consider as they try to preserve public safety, infrastructure and the county's financial stability.
What they're saying: Staff likened the potential losses in property tax revenue to the fiscal strain Hillsborough County faced during the Great Recession, but said the effects could last longer.
- "Difficult decisions would need to occur," the report reads. "Future budgets would be more difficult to balance, and... the county would struggle to keep up with the service demands of new growth."
2. 😓 Beard bid falls short
Chef Bryce Bonsack lost out at the James Beard Awards last night, after being named a finalist for the culinary equivalent of an Oscar.
Why it matters: The Beards are considered the American hospitality industry's highest honor, conveying prestige to chefs across the country and the communities they serve.
Driving the news: Bonsack, the owner of Michelin-starred Italian restaurant Rocca, was topped in the Best Chef: South category by Serigne Mbaye of Dakar NOLA in New Orleans.
- The South region covers Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Puerto Rico. The nominees included two chefs from New Orleans, plus finalists from Jacksonville and Rogers, Arkansas.
Flashback: Bern's Steakhouse has Tampa Bay's only Beard Awards, winning in 1992 for Outstanding Wine Service and 2016 for Outstanding Wine Program.
- Even being named a semifinalist was enough for Bonsack to break a years-long drought for the region. He was named a finalist in March.
What's next: Tastes Pretty Good, the restaurant group for which Bonsack works as culinary director, is opening several new concepts this year.
Go deeper: Read Yacob and Kathryn's Rocca review
3. The Pulp: 🙌 Chattaway isn't going anywhere
👏 The Chattaway is here to stay. Local real estate investor Cullen Mahoney has teamed up with the owners of Ferg's Sports Bar and Shrimpy's Waterfront to keep the 75-year St. Pete institution open. (St. Pete Rising)
- Mahoney wants to preserve the character of the restaurant while making updates, such as obtaining a liquor license and adding a roof over the patio to shield patrons from rain and sun.
🙅 Hillsborough commissioners do not have the authority to remove a member of the Tampa Sports Authority, the agency that manages Raymond James Stadium, before their term expires. (Tampa Bay Times)
- The county attorney's office reviewed the issue at the request of Republican Commissioner Christine Miller after the agency encouraged local officials to prioritize Raymond James renovations over a new stadium for the Rays.
⚖️ The Supreme Court agreed yesterday to decide whether six-person criminal juries are constitutional, taking up a Florida chiropractor's challenge to his conviction and a practice used in several states nationwide. (Times)
💊 The FDA approved inhaled insulin for children with diabetes, a treatment the University of South Florida helped study in its early stages. (Tampa Bay 28)
4. 🏥 States take up menopause legislation

Dozens of state legislatures are leading changes across the country in policies for menopause care and coverage — but Florida is not among them.
By the numbers: More than half of U.S. states have seen menopause-related legislation introduced or enacted since 2023.
- Recent examples include Maryland's sweeping menopause law that requires insurance coverage and Utah's move to expand hormone therapy coverage for state employees.
Zoom in: Florida state lawmakers introduced a bill this year that would have required the state Department of Health to create a menopause policy workgroup and to share information related to menopause on its website.
- But the legislation ultimately died in committee.
The big picture: These moves come as menopause gains new attention from employers, health systems and investors.
- Growing awareness of its toll on workplace productivity has coincided with a surge in demand for care, fueling growth among telehealth companies and menopause-focused clinics.
5. 🌅 1 souvenir to go
👋 Kathryn here. I've owned my Honda Civic for 12 years, but I've only ever had one bumper magnet: a gopher tortoise with the message "I brake for tortoises," created by Florida artist V Steiner.
Yes, but: That changed recently when I went by St. Pete's 5801 Print House and spotted this extremely true-to-life magnet:
- "Out of my way .." it says. "I'm going to the beach for sunset!"
And that's just one fun Florida offering designed and printed by the shop, which has a storefront in the Warehouse Arts District and is also a frequent vendor at markets.
🌹 Kathryn is snuggling her kitty Rose extra hard after a scary weekend at the emergency vet.
😩 Yacob's arms are sore from a recent trip to Weeki Wachee.
This newsletter was edited by Jeff Weiner.
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