Author: Owen E. Richason IV
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The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 5.98% this week, the first time rates have dipped below 6% since September 2022, according to Freddie Mac. The decline comes after the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate three times last year, pulling mortgage rates down from a recent peak of around 7.8% in October 2023.…
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Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez unveiled an online calculator this week that allows homeowners and business owners to estimate how proposed state property tax reductions could affect their tax bills. The tool comes as Florida lawmakers debate a series of proposals that, if approved by the Legislature and voters, could significantly reduce or eliminate…
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The Florida Senate voted 37–0 on Wednesday to approve new regulations on electric bicycles and other micromobility devices, sending the bill to the House for further consideration. Under the legislation (CS/SB 382), e-bike riders on sidewalks or pedestrian areas would be required to slow to no more than 10 mph whenever a pedestrian is within…
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A St. Petersburg community leader has proposed constructing a large retractable wall across the entrance to Tampa Bay to help reduce flooding from hurricane-driven storm surge. The idea, outlined to state lawmakers this week, has drawn interest but also skepticism from elected officials focusing on more immediate resilience measures. Kevin Batdorf, the immediate past president…
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A Florida wolf sanctuary faces permanent closure after a judge ruled against the wildlife preserve in an eviction dispute with its landlord. On February 23, 2026, a court ruled in favor of the property owner, ordering Seacrest Wolf Preserve in Washington County to vacate the land within 20 days — by March 15. The preserve,…
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The Pinellas County School Board voted on February 24, 2026, to approve a set of changes that will close two schools and reconfigure several others. These decisions mark the first phase of the district’s multi-year “Planning for Progress” initiative. The adjustments take effect at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 school year. Declining enrollment stands at…
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Treasure Island city commissioners unanimously approved a significant increase in summer camp fees at their Feb. 17 meeting, raising the cost of the 10-week program from $700 to $1,000 for residents — a 42.5% jump. Nonresidents will see fees climb from $900 to $1,200, a 33% increase. The decision came after Recreation Director Cathy Hayduke…
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Pinellas County officials are urging residents to apply for hurricane recovery assistance, as a significant portion of an $813 million federal grant remains unspent. The funding, distributed through a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development community block grant, is intended to help homeowners and renters recover from Hurricane Idalia in 2023 and Hurricanes Helene…
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Indian Rocks Beach visitors will soon pay to park at the city’s public beach access spots, ending the community’s distinction as the last beachfront municipality in Pinellas County to offer free parking. The City Commission voted 5-0 on Feb. 10 to approve a six-month pilot program charging $4.50 an hour at more than 180 beach…
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Beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year, Pinellas County Schools will require student athletes to pay $50 per sport to participate in middle and high school athletics. A $200 per-family cap will limit the maximum annual cost for households with multiple student athletes. Athletic director Marc Allison cited rising costs for officials, transportation, uniforms, and equipment…
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The Florida House of Representatives on Thursday voted 80–30 along party lines to advance a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at eliminating most non-school property taxes on homesteaded homes, sending the measure toward a potential ballot question for voters in November 2026. If approved by at least 60% of voters, the change would go into effect…
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Pinellas County, Florida, continues to refine its approach to short-term rentals in unincorporated areas. Officials seek to balance tourism benefits with neighborhood stability. The primary development centers on a comprehensive ordinance adopted in March 2025. This measure introduced structured regulation for properties rented for less than 30 days more than three times per year. The…
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The City of St. Petersburg has adopted a new housing policy that permits churches and other places of worship to use underutilized land to build affordable housing, making it the first city in Florida to implement the statewide “Yes In God’s Backyard” (YIGBY) framework into local zoning. Under the policy, religious institutions can rezone unused…
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Tallahassee, FL — February 18, 2026 Florida House committees have advanced three separate property tax relief proposals, but time is running short to reach an agreement with the Senate before the legislative session concludes. The proposals vary in scope. One would phase out all non-school property taxes on homesteaded properties. A second would offer additional…
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As the state of Florida continues its shift to all-electronic tolling, many drivers are noticing that the old toll booth structures remain standing along now-cashless roads — raising questions about what, if anything, they will be used for. The Suncoast Parkway, which runs from the Hillsborough-Pasco County line north to Lecanto, once had three staffed…
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Florida’s multibillion-dollar Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund expired at midnight Monday, setting up a high-stakes clash between the House and Senate over how the money can be spent. The fund was created in 2022 and was designed to set aside money for the state to prepare for and respond to disasters not already covered in…
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St. Petersburg city officials are asking residents to weigh in before developing a master plan to improve the city’s 15 miles of publicly owned seawall. The Seawall Master Plan aims to create a consistent seawall condition rating system based on federal standards and to establish a framework for future repair and replacement projects. The stated…
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Florida lawmakers are considering significant property tax relief as the legislative session reaches its halfway point, with a proposed constitutional amendment that could substantially increase homestead exemptions for insured homeowners. House Joint Resolution 209 proposes raising the homestead exemption to $200,000 for homeowners who maintain comprehensive multi-peril insurance coverage. The measure represents a major expansion…
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Florida legislators are advancing a bill that would eliminate yellow vehicle registration stickers currently displayed on license plates. House Bill 841 would require motor vehicle registration renewals to be recorded electronically rather than displayed with a physical sticker. Drivers would still be required to renew their registrations and keep written receipts in their vehicles. Many…
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Florida State Representative Jervonte Edmonds has introduced legislation that would mandate private companies assist their employees with first-time home purchases. House Bill 311 would require eligible companies to contribute up to $5,000 toward down payments and closing costs. The bill targets companies that pay corporate income tax and insurance premium tax to the state, allowing…
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The Florida Senate unanimously approved legislation last week requiring cities and counties to allow accessory dwelling units on single-family residential lots. The bill, which supporters call a solution to Florida’s affordable housing shortage, would enable homeowners to build smaller secondary units on their properties. These structures, often called “granny flats,” could provide lower-cost rental options.…
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Legislation moving through the Florida House could give homeowners the power to dissolve their homeowners associations. House Bill 657, sponsored by State Rep. Juan Porras of Miami, would eliminate mandatory mediation for disputes between homeowners and HOAs and establish a community court system aimed at reducing legal costs. The bill’s most significant provision would allow…
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Pinellas County Public Schools has lost nearly 3,700 students this school year compared to last year, marking a continuation of a decade-long enrollment decline that has district leaders planning school closures and consolidations. The district’s student enrollment has dropped from approximately 78,000 students last school year to just over 74,000 this year, according to school…
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Florida’s two major Tampa Bay-area utilities have implemented rate changes in 2026: Duke Energy lowered bills, while Tampa Electric Company (TECO) continues multi-year utility rate increases. Duke Energy Duke Energy customers saw their bills temporarily increase by approximately $7.54 per month in January and February 2026 for typical residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours. However, starting…
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Duke Energy is installing static lines across its service territory as part of efforts to reduce power outages caused by severe weather. Static lines, also called overhead shield wires or sky wires, are non-energized cables strung above traditional power lines. They act as lightning rods, intercepting lightning strikes before they can hit the energized conductors…
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A Florida education bill under legislative consideration includes provisions that could allow the state to develop its own school curriculum, raising concerns among some education experts about whether the state might follow Texas’ example with Bible-based instructional materials. Senate Bill 7036, a 40-page education measure, would permit school districts to purchase instructional materials developed by…
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Tampa Bay homebuyers are canceling purchase agreements at one of the highest rates in the nation, according to recent real estate data. Around 20% of pending Tampa Bay home sales fell through in September, higher than the national average of 15%, according to Redfin. In December, Tampa saw 19.4% of contracts canceled, placing it fifth-highest…
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An unusually strong cold snap sweeping through the Tampa Bay region this winter is now creating additional obstacles for homeowners still recovering from the destructive 2024 hurricane season, according to local officials and construction experts. Temperatures that have dipped well below seasonal norms — with sub-freezing lows and forecasts of 20s in some areas —…
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A Florida lawmaker has introduced legislation to reduce out-of-state freshman enrollment at the state’s public universities from the current system-wide average of 10% to a hard cap of 5% per institution. House Bill 1279, sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Kincart Jonsson (R-Lakeland), would particularly impact higher-profile schools like the University of Florida and Florida State University,…
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Many Florida homeowners are experiencing rising property insurance premiums despite state officials’ assertions that the market is stabilizing, according to a local news investigation. Lisa Riggi, a Coral Springs homeowner for 26 years, saw her premium increase by 30% one year, followed by an additional $170 the following year. Her experience contradicts industry claims of…
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The City of St. Pete Beach is moving forward with 47 capital improvement projects totaling more than $17 million, with wastewater infrastructure and hurricane recovery accounting for the largest expenditures. Public Services Director Camden Mills presented the comprehensive plan at the January 27 commission meeting, detailing 10 projects currently under construction and 37 in design…
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A Florida House committee has unanimously approved legislation that would end the requirement for yellow vehicle registration decals on license plates. The Government Operations Committee backed House Bill 841, sponsored by Rep. Tom Fabricio, R-Miami Lakes, which would replace the physical stickers with an electronic registration system. The measure has one more committee stop before…
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A growing number of renters are using services that allow them to split monthly rent payments into installments, but consumer advocates warn the products can carry steep costs. Companies like Flex, Livble, and Affirm offer to pay landlords the full rent upfront while renters repay in two or more installments throughout the month. The services…
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Progressive Insurance has begun notifying approximately 2.7 million Florida auto policyholders that they will receive credits totaling up to $950 million, following a determination that the company’s profits exceeded state statutory limits during the 2023-2025 period. The insurer announced it would distribute the credits ahead of the timeline required under Florida’s personal auto excess profits…
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Three Bahama Breeze restaurants in the Tampa Bay area are set to be rebranded as part of a larger shift by their parent company, Darden Restaurants Inc., which is winding down the Caribbean-themed chain. Darden announced that it will permanently close 14 of the 28 Bahama Breeze locations nationwide by April 5, 2026, and convert…
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The IRS issued a reminder Tuesday about the Earned Income Tax Credit, noting that one in five eligible taxpayers fails to claim the benefit. The EITC averaged $2,916 during the previous tax year, but amounts vary by family size. For tax year 2025, the maximum credit ranges from $649 for filers with no qualifying children…
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Duke Energy requested that customers across Florida voluntarily reduce electricity use for 4 hours on Monday morning as cold temperatures drove power demand above normal levels. The voluntary conservation period ran from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. The company said the effort helped support the electric grid during one of the coldest mornings of the…
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Proposed property tax reductions being considered by Florida lawmakers could affect the state’s housing market by potentially allowing buyers to purchase more expensive homes, according to a Central Florida real estate agent. Florida lawmakers are reviewing several proposals that would reduce property taxes for homeowners if approved by voters. While it remains unclear which proposal…
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Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his burrow at Gobbler’s Knob on Monday morning and saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter during the 140th Groundhog Day celebration. Thousands gathered at the site in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, about 90 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, to witness the annual tradition. The event drew crowds starting before sunrise, with…
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More than a year and a half after back-to-back hurricanes struck Tampa Bay—Helene and Milton—residents who opted into Elevate Florida continue to wait for federal approval. The program, administered by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), received over $400 million in federal funding, primarily through FEMA programs such as the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.…
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Tampa City Council met Wednesday to discuss a comprehensive flood mitigation project for South Tampa’s South Howard Avenue district, with estimated costs reaching $98 million. The South Howard Flood Relief Project addresses chronic flooding in the area through a complete overhaul of aging stormwater drainage infrastructure. The plan includes underground pipe replacement, widened sidewalks, enhanced…
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Meteorologists are tracking the possibility of gulf-effect snow in parts of Florida late Saturday into Sunday morning, though conditions must align precisely for the rare weather phenomenon to occur. The setup requires cold air from a weekend cold front to rush over the warmer Gulf of Mexico waters, creating atmospheric instability similar to lake-effect snow…
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The City of St. Petersburg has unveiled the second phase of its $160 million disaster recovery initiative, which includes voluntary property buyouts, homebuyer assistance, and affordable housing development for areas affected by recent hurricanes. The Sunrise St. Pete program will allocate $5 million to purchase up to 14 high-risk, flood-prone properties damaged by hurricanes Idalia…
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The Polk County School Board unanimously approved a rezoning plan for all 16 of its high schools Tuesday, marking the final vote on a proposal aimed at addressing enrollment imbalances across the district. The rezoning follows years of data analysis, demographic studies, and research on population trends, according to Superintendent Frederick Heid. The new boundaries…
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