Friday, July 10, 2026

Featured in this week's newsletter:

• STORY: Suncoast lawmakers hollowed out home rule. Do voters care?

• STORY: Sarasota, Manatee fireworks complaints surge during Fourth of July burn ban

• STORY: Sarasota County blocks hyperscale data centers for at least one year

• STORY: Sarasota County proposes very small reduction to property tax rate

• FACT BRIEF: Did Sarasota change its paid parking rules?

• FACT BRIEF: Is Byron Donalds polling above 50% of the GOP vote in Florida’s governor race?

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NEW FROM SUNCOAST SEARCHLIGHT:

SUNCOAST LAWMAKERS HOLLOWED OUT HOME RULE. DO VOTERS CARE?

During the last five years, the Florida Legislature has voted to pass more than 50 laws restricting local government’s ability to respond to issues ranging from how they manage growth to how they handle public health matters or oversee elections, according to a review of legislation by Suncoast Searchlight. 

Suncoast Searchlight also reviewed the voting records of the eight state lawmakers representing Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties — Rep. Danny Nix Jr., R-Port Charlotte; Rep. Fiona McFarland, R-Sarasota; Rep. Bill Conerly, R-Lakewood Ranch; Rep. Will Robinson, R-Bradenton; Rep. James Buchanan, R-Sarasota; Rep. Vanessa Oliver, R-Punta Gorda; Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton and Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota.

Together, they voted in favor of every one of those measures, with vanishingly few exceptions, like when one of them was absent. 

The only lawmaker to vote against any of the bills reviewed by Suncoast Searchlight was  Robinson — who is not running for re-election — when he opposed a preemption restricting diversity and inclusion efforts by local governments.

With few serious challengers in this year’s elections, the six incumbent lawmakers seeking another term now seem poised to sweep back into office. Three are running unopposed in the Republican primary, while three others face less-funded, lesser-known GOP challengers.

Suncoast Searchlight contacted every incumbent state lawmaker representing the tri-county region about their votes on legislation affecting local government authority. Not one agreed to comment.

NEW FROM SUNCOAST SEARCHLIGHT:

SARASOTA, MANATEE FIREWORKS COMPLAINTS SURGE DURING FOURTH OF JULY BURN BAN

Throughout the Suncoast, people celebrating America’s 250th birthday ignored the burn ban and illegally blasted fireworks in their yards, on streets and at parties, prompting law enforcement to respond to more complaints than the year before, according to dispatch records. 

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office received 152 fireworks-related calls on July 4 compared to 64 last year. Deputies were dispatched to 22 of those calls, up from 16 in 2025. 

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office similarly received 176 complaints related to fireworks on the night of July 4, up significantly from the 60 last year.

But officials said it remained an average Fourth of July, with no major incidents or uncontrolled fires.

NEW FROM SUNCOAST SEARCHLIGHT:

SARASOTA COUNTY BLOCKS HYPERSCALE DATA CENTERS FOR ONE YEAR

Sarasota County will not even consider the notion of any large-scale data centers for at least a year, citing concerns over utility resources and environmental degradation.

Commissioners voted on Wednesday to halt the “acceptance, review and approval” of any major data centers until at least July 2027, but seemed eager to push for an outright ban in perpetuity. The move comes as data center developments become a flashpoint for local governments across the country, including neighboring DeSoto County, which approved a similar moratorium this week.

Sarasota County’s measure followed an inquiry by XF Group to build a proposed data center along Cattlemen Road.

“For me, it’s a no,” Commissioner Joe Neunder said. “Not now, not ever.”

NEW FROM SUNCOAST SEARCHLIGHT:

SARASOTA COUNTY PROPOSES VERY SMALL REDUCTION TO PROPERTY TAX RATE

With heightened attention on how much local governments collect in property taxes and what they spend it on, Sarasota County is eyeing a small reduction in its overall tax rate for the next budget.

The modest tax cut proposal comes despite swirling uncertainty over how basic county services would continue to function if voters approve steep reductions in property taxes during the November referendum. For months, county officials have sounded the alarm on how the proposal could upend their budget.

County Commissioner Mark Smith told Suncoast Searchlight that if Amendment 3 passes in November, the county may need to take a hard look at raising the rate. An analysis by the Florida Association of Counties found Sarasota County would lose about $128.5 million during the first two years.

“That’s going to be one of the discussions, other than cutting services and figuring out where we’re going to get the other revenue,” Smith said.

NEW FROM SUNCOAST SEARCHLIGHT: POWERED BY COMMUNITY

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST SEARCHLIGHT CLUB MEMBERS!

Each of these new monthly supporters unlocked a $250 match, sending $2,500 more to your local reporting for Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties.

That means more support for reporting that helps our community follow local decisions, track public money and understand what’s shaping the future of the Suncoast.

Please join us in thanking our newest Searchlight Club members:

Richard Beene

Sharon Donovan

Louise Machinist

Geri Jo Manson

Joy Mayer

Dorothy Murphy

Jennifer Shafer

Jessica Traiger

Two Anonymous Searchlight Club members

Each week, Powered by Community recognizes the supporters helping make Suncoast Searchlight’s nonprofit journalism accessible to everyone.

You can see all Suncoast Searchlight supporters here.

HERE'S WHAT ELSE WE RECOMMEND READING THIS WEEK

FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT CUSTOMERS TO RECEIVE HURRICANE RECOVERY FUNDS

FROM WUSF

The Public Service Commission approved the refund, which will result in a one-month reduction in base rates to reflect any "revenue over-recovery" charges from the Juno Beach-based FPL.

READ THE STORY HERE

SARASOTA LITTLE LEAGUE TREASURER SENTENCED TO 1 YEAR, RESTITUTION

FROM SARASOTA OBSERVER

The woman who plead no contest to stealing more than $200,000 last year from Sarasota Little League was sentenced Monday to a year in Sarasota County Jail and was ordered to begin paying $176,000 in restitution upon her release. In court documents, 35-year-old Ahnaysa Kristina Turner was ordered to make a lump-sum payment of $88,006 and begin making $1,000 monthly payments 30 days after her release. She was also sentenced to 25 years of probation.

READ THE STORY HERE

FLORIDA DATA CENTER TRACKER TOOL ALREADY HAS OVER A MILLION VISITS

FROM WLRN VIA WUSF

The website launched about a month ago and shows specifics about current and proposed developments across Florida. The website has already received over a million visits, the developer said, showing a hunger for the information he provided.

READ THE STORY HERE

SARASOTA COUNTY EXPANDS PROTECTED LAND IN VENICE, NOKOMIS

FROM DAILY SUN

The acquisition of two South County properties was approved unanimously by the Sarasota County Commission Tuesday. One, a centuries-old working cattle ranch in Nokomis the county has pledged millions to protect, is the last standing piece of undeveloped land between Myakka River State Park and the mid-county eastward expansion. The other property, to purchased and owned by the county, will enhance connectivity with Sleeping Turtles Preserve South and Snook Haven Park.

READ THE STORY HERE

FLORIDA SAID IT COULDN'T FIX CONFUSING MEDICAID NOTICES. UNDER COURT ORDER, IT ONLY TOOK MONTHS

FROM FLORIDA TRIB

For years, Florida’s lawyers told a federal judge that fixing its Medicaid termination notices — letters the court found so confusing they violated the Constitution — would be difficult and costly. But within months of a court order requiring the fix, the two state agencies that determine and issue eligibility were able to send out nearly 1 million corrected notices by the spring. How they managed to do it so quickly is now its own question.

READ THE STORY HERE

MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLANNED NEAR BRADENTON'S DESOTO SQUARE MALL

FROM BRADENTON HERALD

Nashville-based Elmington Capital Group recently filed paperwork with Manatee County Development Services to build a four-story building with 108 multifamily apartments at the northwest intersection of Fifth Street East and 301 Boulevard East.

READ THE STORY HERE

FLORIDA'S PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX CUTS RELY ON A POPULATION BOOM THAT HAS SLOWED DRAMATICALLY

FROM THE CONVERSATION

If Floridians vote for the property tax exemption in November, the state’s continued population growth would be vital to maintaining local and state government budgets. But recent data suggests that population growth may be slowing.

READ THE STORY HERE

THE STAGGERING COST OF JAMES UTHMEIER

FROM FLORIDA TRIDENT

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has repeatedly pursued high-profile political initiatives — including "Alligator Alcatraz" immigrant detention center, the transfer of valuable public land for a Trump-branded project, and Uthmeier's alleged role in the Hope Florida funding scandal — that critics say have cost taxpayers more than $1 billion while advancing his political standing.

READ THE STORY HERE

FLORIDA’S SCHOOL CHOICE PROGRAM OFFERS UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS BUT CANNOT SHOW SYSTEMWIDE ACADEMIC IMPROVEMENT

FROM THE CONVERSATION

Today, Florida operates one of the most expansive school choice systems in the U.S. But after 27 years of school choice, Floridians should know that there are no uniformly positive systemwide gains in achievement.

READ THE STORY HERE

DID YOU MISS OUR PREVIOUS NEWSLETTER?

HERE'S WHAT WE SHARED:

HE SURVIVED A SPEEDO. 20 YEARS LATER, SARASOTA DOLPHIN IS STILL MAKING WAVES

Two decades ago this summer, a bottlenose dolphin made international headlines after he was spotted swimming through Sarasota Bay wearing an extra-large men’s Speedo.

Today, Scrappy is still alive, still swimming in Sarasota Bay. Turning 29 years old on July 5, Scrappy remains one of Sarasota Bay’s most recognizable dolphins.

SCHOOL TAX FIGHT SET TO BECOME LAW HIGHLIGHTS DIFFERENT LOCAL APPROACHES, OUTCOMES

Sarasota County Schools clawed back more than $2 million that the county tax collector withheld as fees for collecting a voter-approved school tax.

But other school districts, including Sarasota’s neighbor to the north, have taken a different approach — with different results. Some elected leaders in Manatee may now be regretting that tactic.

WHO'S SARASOTA'S DEVELOPERS' CANDIDATE? BOTH CAMPAIGNS POINT THE FINGER

For Sarasota County Commissioner Joe Neunder and his reelection challenger Jim DeNiro, this year’s District 4 primary has become a battle of who can paint the other as most friendly to developers.

Campaign finance records show both men have accepted tens of thousands of dollars from development interests, while Neunder’s voting record and the candidates’ own positions on growth blur the lines drawn by campaign rhetoric.

MANATEE COUNTY ON THE VERGE OF NEW ORDINANCE AGAINST STRIP-MALL CASINOS

The Manatee County Commission is poised to vote on an ordinance first proposed last year to crack down on strip-mall casinos, in response to an investigation by Suncoast Searchlight and the Bradenton Herald found illegal gambling dens were operating in open defiance of state law.

MANATEE COUNTY UNDERPAID EMS WORKERS BY AT LEAST $336,607

Manatee County underpaid emergency medical service workers by at least $336,607 over a recent nine-month period after its payroll system failed to properly calculate overtime, according to an audit obtained by Suncoast Searchlight.

The audit found that more than 200 EMS employees were owed back pay between June 28 and March 30. Some workers were shorted a few hundred dollars. Others were owed thousands. One veteran paramedic was underpaid by $9,000.

FLORIDA'S NEW TAX PLAN WILL HELP SOME BUT NOT ALL

As it currently stands, the proposed amendment would dramatically reduce the amount of property value subject to non-school taxes — creating at least hundreds of dollars in savings next year for most area homeowners.

But some experts warn the complicated formula could mean higher taxes for others.

One expert compared the change to that of a “Spirit Airlines ticket.” Initially, the tax bill will be lower. However, like the additional costs of adding a carry-on, baggage and seat selection, the non-ad valorem fees would stack up.

AIRBNB GIVES $1 MILLION TO BYRON DONALDS AS RENTALS REMAIN A SUNCOAST FLASHPOINT

As Suncoast areas continue to grapple with the effect of short-term vacation rentals, the industry’s most dominant player has staked a major claim in Florida’s premier 2026 election.

Airbnb, the online marketplace at the center of local fights over neighborhood rentals, has contributed $1 million to the political committee supporting Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds, who previously backed legislation to curb local regulation of the industry.

COMMISSION CHAIR SEEKS TO RETURN $2.5 MILLION TO MANATEE COUNTY SCHOOLS

Manatee County Commission Chairman Tal Siddique aims to resolve a simmering dispute by directing county administrators to reimburse Manatee County Schools more than $2.5 million that had been withheld to cover tax collection fees.

AFTER PUBLIC OUTCRY, DESOTO COUNTY MOVES FORWARD ON DATA CENTER MORATORIUM

After nearly three hours of emotional public comment, DeSoto County commissioners on Tuesday took the first step toward a one-year moratorium on data centers. 

By a unanimous vote, four of the county’s commissioners — one recused himself — agreed to direct the county attorney to prepare language for an ordinance that would bar them from accepting new data center applications in the coming year. 

SUNCOAST SEARCHLIGHT NAMED FINALIST FOR 9 SUNSHINE STATE JOURNALISM AWARDS

Suncoast Searchlight has been named a finalist for nine Sunshine State Awards, one of Florida’s most prestigious journalism competitions, capping a first year that has brought widespread state and national recognition for the fledgling nonprofit newsroom’s accountability reporting.

The finalists, announced last week by the Society of Professional Journalists’ Florida Pro Chapter, are the latest honors for Suncoast Searchlight, which began publishing stories in February 2025. 

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Suncoast Searchlight is a 501c3 nonprofit news organization whose mission is to produce investigative and explanatory journalism that serves and empowers the residents of Florida’s Suncoast region (Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties). We shine a light on critical issues affecting our community. Through independent reporting and collaboration with diverse media partners, we foster transparency, accountability and an informed citizenry, ensuring that all voices are heard and that the public has access to the information they need to drive meaningful change.

CONTACT US:

Suncoast Searchlight

PO Box 99 Sarasota, FL 34230

(941) 724-4450