Lawmakers are headed back to Tallahassee this week to make good on their sole constitutional obligation: the state budget.

Why it matters: Tens of millions of dollars in Tampa Bay projects are at stake — including a $50 million Hillsborough College campus overhaul that would make room for a new Rays stadium.

Driving the news: The Legislature will convene the special session on Tuesday, and it will last until May 29. The Senate has already refiled its $115 billion proposal, while the House has yet to do so.

• The budget proposal approved by the House during the regular session totaled $113.6 billion. Where the two chambers overlapped on Tampa Bay projects, the amounts often differed, sometimes by millions.
• Here's a look at what else is on the table.

💸 Sales tax holidays: Legislation filed in the House would, among other things, create a yearlong sales tax exemption on gun accessories such as holsters, magazines and grips.

• It would also create a sales tax holiday from September to December for hunting, fishing and camping supplies, including crossbows, fishing rods and reels priced at $75 or less, tents priced at $200 or less and more.
• The bill would also create a two-year exemption from the sales and use tax on the sale of home-hardening products, including impact-resistant doors, garage doors and windows, for eligible residential homes.

⚾️ Hillsborough College's new home: The Senate's budget proposal sets aside $50 million for the college's new campus, central to the effort to clear the existing buildings for a new Rays stadium.

• The previous House budget did not include funds for Hillsborough College's multimillion-dollar makeover because the college requested this funding only through the Senate.
• With Gov. Ron DeSantis in its corner, Hillsborough College has reason to feel good about its chances of being included in the final budget.

🏫 New College's takeover: House Bill 5601-E would hand USF's Sarasota-Manatee campus over to New College of Florida and require New College to assume its debt by Oct. 30.

• Current students at USF Sarasota-Manatee will have the highest priority for classroom space in any transferred properties until graduation, provided they remain continuously enrolled.

What's next: If an agreement isn't reached before the special session closes, state lawmakers have until July 1 to avoid a government shutdown.

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Two empty chairs with green, black and gold regalia represented two slain University of South Florida students at Friday's doctoral degree commencement ceremony.

• Nahida Bristy and Zamil Limon, both 27 and from Bangladesh, will also receive posthumous doctoral degrees, the university said.
• Bristy was studying chemical engineering, while Limon was working toward a degree in geography, environmental science and policy.

Catch up quick: Authorities found the remains of the students last month soon after a friend reported them missing.

• Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, faces two counts of first-degree murder, among other charges, according to police. He, Limon and a third roommate shared an apartment off campus.
• Abugharbieh remains in jail with no bail. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in his case, court records show.

Zoom in: Friends and professors remembered Limon as hard-working and quick to laugh, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

• Bristy was smart and enthusiastic and was always helping new graduate students get used to life on campus. She was also a musician who loved to sing, per WUSF.
• Limon's co-adviser started a GoFundMe for their families.

What they're saying: "We had a dream that we'll always be together and will progress in our life together," said Mohammad Omer Hossain, who was close to both students, WUSF reported.

• "Here I'm alone — just carrying their memories and all of our happy moments. I will cherish all those (memories) throughout my entire life."

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👷 The Courtney Campbell Causeway faces a closure tonight and tomorrow from 10pm to 5am, in support of the causeway's Clearwater pedestrian overpass project. (Bay News 9)

💸 11 Tampa Bay ZIP codes saw average sale prices above $1 million in the first quarter of 2026, up from one such ZIP in 2019. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

🛍️ Ebisu Life Store, a famed Asian retailer, is soon opening its largest-ever store in Tampa Bay. (Business Observer)

🏠 Michael Martin, who spent about three weeks in jail for contempt of court after refusing to honor a judicial order that he demolish his guest house and other amenities, was released from jail Friday. (Tampa Bay Times)

In Tampa Bay's commission and council chambers, the Rays have recently been a source of concern and uncertainty as they seek $1 billion in public stadium funding.

• But all is well inside the Trop.

Why it matters: It's never a bad time to win. But as the fate of their planned future home is being decided, the team is on a well-timed tear.

State of play: The Rays have started the season 26-13, the best record in the American League, defying middling preseason expectations.

• On Sunday, they finished off a 2-1 series on the road against the Boston Red Sox, following a three-game home sweep of the Blue Jays. (A fourth game against the Sox was postponed.)
• They're No. 5 in ESPN's latest power rankings and No. 6 in MLB.com's rankings.

Zoom in: Starting pitching is a big reason for Tampa Bay's unexpected early season success.

• Shane McClanahan, coming off two-plus injury-riddled seasons, has been dominant, and the team has gotten strong contributions from offseason additions Nick Martinez and Steven Matz.
• At the plate, third baseman Junior Caminero has a team-leading 11 home runs, and first baseman Jonathan Aranda is among the league leaders in runs batted in.

The intrigue: Another factor in the team's turnaround could be the Rays' return to the Trop, after a season of playing across the bay in George M. Steinbrenner Field, as the Athletic recently explored.

• "I think it's definitely helped. Guys like what they know and normalcy," manager Kevin Cash told the outlet.
• "There's a home-field advantage at the Trop," second baseman Brandon Lowe said. "It's a hard place to hit."

The bottom line: While their new owners haggle with local leaders over a swanky new ballpark, for the Rays (and their fans), there's no place like dome.

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