DeSantis lays out final spending wishlist ahead of last year as Florida governor
As Gov. Ron DeSantis prepares for his last year in office, he’s using his proposed budget to push for his plan to cut property taxes. The proposal he released Wednesday would have the state set aside $300 million in nonrecurring funding to cover a potential loss in property tax revenue for 32 small counties. The money is part of DeSantis’ recommended $117.36 billion budget for 2026-2027, around $2 billion larger than the current fiscal year’s budget. More from the Tampa Bay Times, Florida Today and Spectrum News.
Florida Trend Exclusive
A big deal
John Urbach struggled during his senior year at Kissimmee’s Gateway High School and figured he’d never be able to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor — but Osceola Prosper rekindled that ambition. He’s earning his associate’s degree in health sciences this month and is headed to the University of Central Florida to continue his education. [Source: Florida Trend]
Florida leads nation in cuts to environmental protection jobs
Florida cut more environmental protection jobs than any other state in the past 15 years, despite the challenges posed by increasingly intense hurricanes and sea level rise, according to a newly released national report. The state cut 394 jobs, or 19% of full-time positions, at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection from 2010 to 2024, according to the Environmental Impact Project’s latest report, released Wednesday. Florida also saw environmental spending cut by 7% during that same time frame. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Florida proposes PRICE Act to lower drug costs and increase oversight
Florida lawmakers are preparing for the upcoming legislative session with a new proposal designed to change how prescription drugs are priced and managed statewide. The measure, known as House Bill 697 or the Prescription Reduction Incentives and Competition Enhancement Act, was filed by Rep. Jennifer Kincart Jonsson of Lakeland. The bill seeks to address rising prescription costs by creating a pricing model that relies on international comparisons. Drug manufacturers would be required to submit foreign price data to the Agency for Health Care Administration. [Source: WFLA]
‘Rural renaissance' gets go-ahead
A Senate committee Wednesday unanimously approved a wide-ranging proposal dubbed the “rural renaissance” bill, setting it up to go to the full Senate during the first week of the 2026 legislative session. The bill (SB 250), sponsored by Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, is a priority of Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula. It is aimed at boosting such things as health care, education, transportation and economic development in rural areas. The Senate approved a rural renaissance bill during the 2025 legislative session, but the proposal got broken apart in the House and did not pass. [Source: News Service of Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Energy companies eye Port Canaveral for liquid natural gas facility
Liquid natural gas for cruise ships and rockets alike could begin processing at Port Canaveral if a deal between two energy companies and the Port goes through to purchase land for a potential facility. The facility could create between 50-100 jobs. A projected timeline for the project shows a completion goal of 2029. Representatives from Chesapeake Energy, parent company of Florida City Gas, and Berkshire Hathaway Energy presented the plan to the Port Authority Board of Commissioners on Dec. 10 in hopes of building a new liquid natural gas liquefaction facility in Brevard County.
› ‘A new era’: Miami voters resoundingly reject the city’s political dynasties
Miami found itself in the national spotlight this week after Eileen Higgins defeated Trump-backed opponent Emilio González in the runoff for Miami mayor, making her the city’s first woman mayor and also the first Democrat elected to the position in decades. But Miami voters also sent a resounding message on the local level this election cycle, rejecting multiple legacy politicians who’ve spent decades in South Florida’s political scene.
› St. Pete's Kahwa Coffee scores rare legal victory over trademark
Kahwa Coffee won a rare appeal to overturn the rejection of its application for a federal trademark. A federal appellate judge said the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s decision to deny the St. Petersburg coffee house’s trademark misapplied the “doctrine of foreign equivalents,” a standard that often bars trademarked names with foreign language meanings.
› Most Citizens Insurance customers in South Florida could see rates fall by more than 11% in 2026
Most customers of state-owned Citizens Property Insurance Corp. could see significant rate decreases in 2026. The company is recommending an average 2.6% statewide rate decrease for personal lines accounts beginning on June 1. Most South Florida homeowners would see far larger decreases while average rates are projected to increase in several Central Florida counties, including Orange, Osceola, Lake and Brevard.
More stories ...
› Swisher confirms it is Project Newark, announces $135 million expansion in Springfield
Jacksonville-based tobacco company Swisher announced Dec. 10 it plans a $135 million expansion in Springfield, where it will produce smokeless nicotine and caffeine products. The company confirmed it is the code-named Project Newark that received $3.5 million in incentives from the city. Swisher said the expansion was part of its automated pouch operation, used to produce its smokeless products.
› Developers unveil $35M beachfront villas in Naples
On a prized stretch of Gulf Shore Boulevard, Kolter Urban and BH Group introduced two newly built beachfront villas priced from $35 million, expanding the upper reaches of Naples’ ultra-luxury housing market at a moment when demand for large-scale coastal estates continues to outpace supply. The two villas anchor a limited collection of just 12 residences at Olana, all of them exceeding 10,000 square feet — an unusually large format even within Naples’ top-tier enclaves.
› Camping World CEO coming to Power Forward Series
Marcus Lemonis — the man who revolutionized the recreational vehicle industry and heads Camping World, nation's largest RV retailer — will be the featured speaker for the upcoming Power Forward Speaker Series in January. Lemonis is known for his three "P" philosophy: people, process and product. He started in CNBC's "The Profit," a reality show that ended in 2021. It featured Lemonis helping struggling businesses out of their slump.
› Country Thunder Florida festival heads to St. Pete Beach this year
Country Thunder Florida is returning to Tampa Bay in 2026. For the first time, the party is happening on the beach. The TradeWinds Resort on St. Pete Beach will host the country music festival May 8, 9 and 10. The festivities will be spread on the 40-acre property of the TradeWinds, which will offer discounted rooms for festivalgoers. Country Thunder festivals take place in several locations, including Arizona, Wisconsin, Alberta and Saskatchewan.