Government & Politics

Local government meetings, elections, policy and civic updates

Hillsborough Commissioners Vote 7-0 Twice to Aim a Moratorium at AI Data Centers, and to Keep Them Off County Drinking Water

The board told the County Attorney's Office to draft a data center moratorium ordinance, but a state law blocks it from taking effect until Oct. 1, 2027. A second unanimous vote starts work on rules that could bar cooling with county drinking water.

Aug 54 min read

Government & Politics

Early Voting Opens Monday Across Hillsborough: 27 Sites, 14 Straight Days, One Big Change in Ruskin

Early voting for the Aug. 18 primary runs Aug. 3 through Aug. 16, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and you can use any of the 27 sites countywide. The SouthShore Regional Library is out this cycle, replaced by a new location in Ruskin.

Aug 24 min read

Government & Politics

Tampa Spends Nearly $650,000 on a Second "Spyder" to Grade Its Ditches Before Peak Storm Season

The city says its new Swiss-built walking excavator has been working for several weeks, and that crews have graded about 8 miles of ditches so far this year, double last year's pace. There are nearly 200 miles of ditches inside city limits.

Jul 313 min read

Government & Politics

Hillsborough's $14.1 Billion Budget Comes Up Wednesday, With $367 Million Riding on November

Commissioners take up the FY27 spending plan at a 9 a.m. reconciliation meeting at County Center. Hanging over it: a county estimate that the statewide property tax amendment would strip about $367 million a year from Hillsborough.

Jul 284 min read

Government & Politics

Temple Terrace's $50 Million Public Safety Bond Hits the Ballot Aug. 18. Here's the Monthly Cost.

Voters decide whether to borrow up to $50 million for a police headquarters and a third fire station on Harney Road. The city estimates about $15 a month for a home with $200,000 in taxable value, for 30 years.

Jul 264 min read

Government & Politics

Tampa Board Pulls Rays Stadium Vote Off the Calendar — And the CEO Says the Team May Not Need the City's Money

Tampa's redevelopment board voted 5-2 to strip the Rays ballpark item from its Aug. 20 agenda, the second delay in six weeks. The team's CEO now says he isn't counting on a city vote at all.

Jul 234 min read

Government & Politics

New Tampa's K-Bar Ranch Gets 3,500 New Oaks — Shade for a 56-Acre Park Still to Come

The City of Tampa planted 3,500 oak saplings this week at the future K-Bar Ranch park, pushing the site to 10,300 new trees and the city's 30,000-by-2030 goal past the halfway mark.

Jul 143 min read

Government & Politics

Two Charter Questions Head to Hillsborough Voters in November: An Elected Superintendent and a Bigger Commission

Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed bills placing two charter-changing referendums on Hillsborough County's November ballot — one to elect the school superintendent, another to reshape the county commission. Each needs 60% approval to pass.

Jul 63 min read

Government & Politics

DeSantis Vetoes E-Bike Speed Limits and Four Other Bills, Leaving Pasco's Rules in Local Hands

Gov. Ron DeSantis rejected five bills in late June, including a statewide e-bike safety measure — meaning Pasco County and its cities keep setting their own rules on the increasingly common bikes.

Jun 284 min read

Government & Politics

Tampa–St. Pete Ferry Is Becoming a Year-Round Reality: PSTA Buys Two Boats

Transit officials have purchased the Bay Breeze and San Juan Clipper to power a daily, year-round ferry between downtown Tampa and downtown St. Petersburg, with a launch targeted for later this year.

Jun 224 min read

Government & Politics

12,400 Signatures and a Grand Oak Stand Between Live Nation and Ybor City

A petition opposing a proposed 4,300-capacity Live Nation venue in Ybor City has topped 12,400 signatures — and a protected grand oak has already stalled the project before the Barrio Latino Commission.

Jun 215 min read

Government & Politics

Property Tax Vote in November Throws Tampa's $2.3 Billion Rays Stadium Deal Into Doubt

Tampa and Hillsborough leaders are getting cold feet on the proposed Rays ballpark near Raymond James Stadium as a November property-tax amendment threatens the revenue meant to help pay for it. The city's redevelopment board just pushed a key vote to August.

Jun 216 min read