AGP Executive Report

Local Governance & Taxes: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 4-F and HB 1329 tightening local property-tax caps and adding new budget transparency rules, including a required 10% “budget cutting exercise” posted online and quarterly salary reporting for locally funded positions. Election Policy: President Trump canceled a housing bill signing and is pressuring Senate Republicans to pass the SAVE America Act, a national voter ID and citizenship-verification package that would also require states to turn over voter registration rolls to the federal government. Public Safety Tech: Florida launched the “Florida Spectrum Alert,” a targeted emergency broadcast system to help recover missing children with autism. Local Tech Backlash: Zephyrhills approved a one-year moratorium on new large-scale data center proposals while officials review infrastructure and growth impacts. Nonprofit Child Safety: LifeNet4Families announced a South Florida initiative to distribute 400,000 free child ID kits across Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Collier counties. Courts & SNAP: A federal judge blocked USDA SNAP waivers that would restrict certain foods like soda and candy, ruling the agency exceeded its authority. Health Enforcement: DOJ announced a sweeping $6.5B healthcare fraud takedown targeting 455 defendants nationwide, including 90 doctors and medical professionals.

NHL Trade Frenzy: Brady Tkachuk is headed to the Florida Panthers in a blockbuster deal, with Ottawa sending four high draft picks to the Sens and then immediately acquiring William Eklund (plus Kasper Halttunen and prospect Brandon Svoboda) from San Jose for the No. 9 pick. Federal Housing Push: The U.S. House passed a bipartisan housing affordability package that would ease some regulatory hurdles for homebuilding and ban private equity firms from buying single-family homes, sending it to President Trump. UF Governance Fallout: A University of Florida Board of Governors dispute is stalling a major student housing plan, with delays that could cost tens of millions and pause financing for a 2,200-bed expansion. Immigration Detention Update: “Alligator Alcatraz” vendors are being told to wind down operations after DHS moved detainees for hurricane-season safety, while lawmakers press for clarity on whether the closure is permanent. Public Safety & Health: DOJ announced a sweeping national health care fraud takedown charging 455 people tied to $6.5B in alleged false claims. Local Governance: Escambia County commissioners voted 3-2 to draft a customary use ordinance to address public access disputes on Perdido Key beaches.

Public Education Watch: Florida again landed last in a national report card on public school support, earning an F (14/100) from the Network for Public Education, which says the state is failing on funding, teaching conditions, and protections for homeschoolers. Property Tax & Local Budgets: Lawmakers advanced a constitutional homestead exemption plan that would raise the exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, while capping non-homestead assessment growth at 5%—a move critics warn could squeeze local services. Surfside Accountability: Federal investigators say the Surfside condo collapse began in early June 2021 after failures between garage columns and the pool deck, with NIST’s construction safety team pointing to column problems weeks earlier. Utility Regulation Fight: David Jolly’s campaign floated capping utility return on investment, while Byron Donalds pushed back, arguing caps would mean worse service and less grid investment. Immigration Enforcement & Faith Leaders: Faith groups say access to the Alligator Alcatraz migrant facility was uneven and are urging lawmakers to repeal a state law requiring local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE. Local Data Center Backlash: Hernando County approved a one-year data center moratorium, and Santa Rosa County is also moving toward a temporary pause as residents demand answers on water, power, and impacts. Nonprofit & Community: United Way of Indian River County held its annual Thank You Block Party/Trike Wars, with Indian River County taking the championship. State Budget Deadline: Florida lawmakers sent the $114.5 billion 2026-27 budget to Gov. DeSantis, who has vowed line-item cuts before the July 1 start of the fiscal year.

Higher Education Governance: The University of Florida Board of Trustees unanimously named Dr. Stuart Bell interim president, a move that sidesteps a Florida Board of Governors delay and keeps UF leadership in flux amid governance disputes. Environmental Compliance: Highlands County reached a settlement with CompostUSA to curb the odor impacts on Venus residents, after years of complaints and limits on local shutdown authority. Public Safety Law: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Officer Jason Raynor Act, creating a mandatory life sentence without parole for killing a law enforcement officer in Florida. Immigration Enforcement: Lawyers say ICE transferred a Haitian detainee out of Florida despite a court order, raising new contempt and compliance questions. Nonprofit Expansion: OCA (Opportunity, Community, Ability) opened a second campus in Longwood to expand services for neurodivergent adults and youth. Local Transit Costs: Seminole County is weighing alternatives to Lynx after rising paratransit costs and reduced bus routes push residents toward its on-demand Scout service. Criminal Justice: A dual U.S.-Israel citizen was indicted in federal court in Florida for alleged bomb threats targeting Jewish institutions in 2016-2017.

Alligator Alcatraz Closure: Florida’s immigration detention site “Alligator Alcatraz” is being emptied and moved into full demobilization, with remaining detainees already transferred or deported and the Everglades facility expected to reopen as a small pilot-training airport. Higher Ed & Culture Wars: DeSantis’ “anti-woke” New College of Florida is set to triple in size after acquiring USF’s Sarasota-Manatee campus, drawing criticism that the expansion is unnecessary and costly. Local Government Tech: Santa Rosa County voted 3-1 to pursue a 12-month moratorium on data center discussion and development review in unincorporated areas, joining other Florida counties weighing similar pauses. Public Records Fight (Out of State, Transparency Angle): California lawmakers advanced a bill that would raise fees and add court review for “commercial use” public records requests, intensifying the debate over government transparency burdens. Nonprofit Food Aid: Midwest Food Bank Florida checked in on rising demand for meals and its Hope Packs program for kids facing food insecurity. Sports With Florida Ties: The Ottawa Senators confirmed Brady Tkachuk requested a trade, sending him to the Florida Panthers to join his brother Matthew.

NHL Trade Impact (Florida): The Florida Panthers landed Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators in a blockbuster deal that reunites him with brother Matthew in South Florida, sending Ottawa Florida’s 2026 first-round pick (No. 9), Tampa Bay’s 2026 first-round pick (No. 25), Florida’s 2027 second-round pick, and a top-10 protected 2029 first-rounder. Public Safety (Federal Court, Florida): A federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida indicted Gainesville man Forrest Kendall Pemberton on hate-crime and firearm charges for an alleged attempted mass shooting targeting Jewish victims at a pro-Israel nonprofit. Local Economy (Suncoast): Suncoast Searchlight reports a sharp pullback in vacation and second-home sales in the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota area, with economists pointing to higher mortgage rates, soaring insurance costs, and broader economic uncertainty. Nonprofit & Community (Florida Weekly): COCO Art Gallery, a Southwest Florida nonprofit artist cooperative, reopened at Miromar Outlets after relocating from Coconut Point Mall, continuing its grantmaking and regional artist programming. International Human Interest (Miami): FIFA helped reunite Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha with his mother in Miami for the World Cup after visa issues kept her away from earlier matches.

Census Watch: Florida TaxWatch has named an eight-member panel to help ensure the 2030 U.S. Census counts Florida accurately, citing past undercounts that cost the state billions in federal funding and congressional power. Public Safety & Courts: In South Florida, an MMA fighter and predator-catcher group say they helped expose an alleged online child predator after a decoy posing as a 13-year-old led to a planned meet-up at a Home Depot, with the case tied to Delray Beach Police court records. Animal Welfare: A Polk County rabies case is being used to argue for stronger management of feral and free-roaming cats, pointing to gaps in Polk’s animal ordinance compared with Hillsborough County’s TNVR approach. Higher Ed Politics: New College of Florida is set to expand by taking over the Sarasota-Manatee campus of USF, a move critics call an “anti-woke” grift that could disrupt nursing, tourism and hospitality programs. AI & Regulation: A new dispute between the Trump administration and AI firm Anthropic highlights how unclear U.S. AI rules remain, with national security concerns driving an export ban and broader industry uncertainty.

Affordable Housing & Nonprofits: Orange County launched “Building Affordable Orange,” a five-part training with the Florida Housing Coalition to help nonprofit and faith-based groups develop affordable housing, supporting its goal of producing or preserving 11,000 units by 2030. Public Safety & Emergency Response: Tropical Storm Arthur’s Gulf Coast impacts are pegged at $4B–$6B, with major flooding, evacuations over a potential dam failure in Mississippi, and confirmed deaths. Local Government & Community Events: Wilton Manors canceled its Stonewall Pride Parade due to severe weather, though the street festival still ran. Civil Rights & Community Pride: Tampa’s Roc the Block festival drew thousands for Juneteenth weekend, spotlighting Black-owned businesses and community uplift. Immigration Enforcement & Work Authorization: DACA renewal delays are putting jobs and work permits at risk nationwide as USCIS processes renewals but some applicants still face long waits. Florida Policy Watch: Orange County’s housing push and Florida’s broader governance debates continue as facial recognition and other tech tools face growing public trust concerns.

Cuba Economic Overhaul: Cuban lawmakers adopted nearly 200 free-market reforms, aiming to cut the state’s role and pull in investment as the island faces severe strain tied to U.S. pressure. Local Land Use Fight: In Collier County, a developer is back with a plan to turn the South Naples Citrus Grove into a private golf course and up to 10 cabins after commissioners rejected a 423-home proposal. Florida Medicaid Watch: New data show sharp 2024 Medicaid billing jumps across South Florida—Miami’s “Procedures / Professional Services” rose 65.1% and Miami Beach’s “Temporary National Codes (Non-Medicare)” climbed 22.8%—highlighting where public health dollars are flowing. Utility Rate Change: DeSantis signed a law ending a 25% out-of-boundary municipal utility surcharge, set to take effect in 2027. Higher Ed Governance: Florida AG James Uthmeier’s office disputed the Board of Governors’ delay in confirming UF president Dr. Stuart Bell. Elections: Sen. Rick Scott urged GOP colleagues to pass the “Save America Act” voter ID push. Science & Environment: FSU researchers unveiled a new method to better interpret fine-scale ocean data from NASA/CNES SWOT satellite measurements. Public Safety/Health Policy: HHS is seeking updates to testosterone therapy labels after reviewing new safety and benefit data.

Teen Summer Jobs: A new AP report finds fewer teens landing summer work, with frustrated job seekers saying the “career ladder” is drying up. Cuba Economic Overhaul: Cuba’s government approved 176 free-market reforms, but Florida’s South Florida congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar says the changes won’t fix the island’s core political problems. Juneteenth Closures: Nassau County and Fernandina Beach will close offices for Juneteenth, with locals observing the federal holiday. Local Government Finance: Palatka warns a November homestead exemption referendum could cut its general fund by nearly $600,000 by 2028. Public Safety Leadership: Daytona Beach Fire Chief Dru Driscoll announced plans to retire July 24 amid ongoing scrutiny of department spending. Hurricane Prep: Orange County is hosting a free Hurricane Expo Saturday in Orlando with emergency responders and forecast info. Voting Tech Lawsuit: A new federal ACLU case challenges wrongful arrests tied to facial recognition, including a South Florida man’s claim that AI misidentification led to detention. Wildlife Milestone: Sanibel Causeway shorebird volunteers say a black skimmer chick has hatched for the first time in decades.

Government contracting & conflicts: A $1.7M no-bid National Park Service contract to install a water-purification system at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is drawing fresh scrutiny after the pool turned green again; the contractor is tied to J.J. Cafaro, a Trump donor and Florida political figure. Local governance & growth pressures: New Port Richey residents pressed Pasco County officials over a proposed data center moratorium; commissioners appear close to adopting a pause while defining “large load customers.” National security & foreign intel: Satellite imagery suggests Cuba expanded a China-linked listening site near Florida, adding a larger antenna array that could further strain U.S.-Cuba relations. Public safety & compliance: FDLE arrested an Orlando sex offender for failing to register required online identifiers, including email and social media accounts. Community needs: United Way’s One in a Million campaign still needs $1M more to hit its goal, with food pantries reporting record demand. Policy & rights: A Florida appeals court ruled the state’s ban on concealed carry for 18-to-20-year-olds is unconstitutional. Infrastructure & power: FERC issued orders pushing grid operators to justify rules for connecting massive new electricity users like AI data centers. Local economy: Palm Coast’s planning board advanced a Walmart SR 100 site plan, recommending approval ahead of a July City Council vote.

Public Safety: A Gainesville man, Forrest Kendall Pemberton, was indicted for allegedly plotting a mass shooting targeting Jewish employees at a pro-Israel nonprofit in Plantation, with federal charges including attempted hate crime and firearms counts. Native Affairs: U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz pressed 15 museums and universities to quickly repatriate Native ancestral remains and cultural items under NAGPRA, citing ongoing delays. Local Government & Health: Everglades City leaders asked Collier County for emergency mosquito spraying after residents reported extreme swarms, raising concerns about public health and environmental impacts. Higher Ed Governance: The Florida Board of Governors delayed a vote on UF president Dr. Stuart Bell, with trustees set to consider appointing him as interim president. Property Tax & Budgets: Daytona Beach warned a November ballot property tax amendment could cut city revenues by about $7 million annually starting in FY 2027-28, with larger losses possible. Community & Services: St. Petersburg mayoral candidates held a second debate focused on property taxes, housing, infrastructure, and city accountability. Food Security: With summer break starting, Florida meal programs are highlighted as a key support for children facing hunger. Nonprofits: Catholic Charities in Florida continued aid efforts, including a shipping container sent to help struggling families in Cuba.

Free Speech Lawsuit: A second former Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission employee is suing in federal court after being fired for a private Facebook comment about Charlie Kirk, following a prior nearly $500,000 settlement in a similar case. America250 Time Capsule: The 900-pound “America’s Time Capsule” was sealed for burial in Philadelphia on July 4, with all 50 states contributing artifacts and records for the 250th anniversary. Gun Rights & Marijuana: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a ruling protecting a man’s gun rights despite admitting marijuana use, rejecting the government’s attempt to treat that alone as a basis for a firearms ban. Florida Courts & Law Schools: FAMU appointed Simone Marstiller as dean of its College of Law, and Jacksonville attorney Michael Fox Orr will be sworn in as the Florida Bar’s 78th president. Public Safety Bills: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed five public safety bills targeting drugs, gangs, and repeat offenders, expanding oversight and penalties. Local Government Transparency Fight: A Leon County lawsuit challenges Florida’s property tax ballot language, arguing it misleads voters and violates constitutional ballot requirements. Data Center Backlash: Escambia County is considering an ordinance to ban data centers after residents packed a meeting to protest impacts on electricity, water, and jobs. Veterans Treatment Courts: Florida’s lawmakers expanded veterans treatment court access statewide, aiming to route eligible service members into treatment-focused programs.

Data Center Fight in Escambia: Escambia County Attorney Alison Rogers recommended a ban on data centers after residents packed a public forum and raised concerns about a possible new facility; FloridaWest CEO Chris Platé said there are no active negotiations and described only a typical non-disclosure process. Amazon’s Deltona Expansion: Amazon opened a Deltona distribution center and announced “Project Trinity,” a second single distribution center next door, aiming for 1,500+ jobs in a tight area and completion expected in fall 2027. Alligator Alcatraz Transfers: DHS says all detainees at the Everglades “Alligator Alcatraz” facility were moved to other ICE sites as hurricane season begins, though officials did not confirm whether the center will permanently close. Property Tax Pressure in Osceola: Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia accused Osceola County of “drunken sailors” spending and waste, while county leaders disputed the figures and asked for more context. Volusia Stormwater Funding Warning: Volusia officials warn a stormwater/flood-control fund could run out by 2030, potentially forcing future fee or funding changes. Florida Bar Convention Leadership: The Florida Bar Convention in Orlando will feature new leadership installations, including Jacksonville attorney Michael Fox Orr as president and Tampa attorney Paige Greenlee as president-elect. Nonprofit Spotlight: ECHO, an anti-hunger nonprofit rooted in North Fort Myers, continues work that spans 190 countries. AI and Privacy Debate: Kansas City plans to equip some buses with facial recognition to flag banned or missing riders, reigniting the safety-versus-privacy fight.

Autonomous Defense Manufacturing: MARTAC and Florida boatbuilder Intrepid Powerboats announced a partnership to scale Devil Ray unmanned surface vessel production to 200–300 units per year, tapping Florida’s marine workforce instead of building new facilities. Public Safety & Health Policy: Gov. DeSantis signed a law phasing out PFAS-containing AFFF firefighting foam and requiring water testing for PFAS; Florida also rolled out a new EKG screening requirement for high school athletes starting 2026–27. Local Government Finance: Winter Garden warned a state-backed property tax proposal could cut police and fire funding by $13.5 million over two years. Elections & Governance: Miami-Dade’s school board race drew few challengers, guaranteeing most incumbents reelection by default. Courts & Oversight: Florida’s Supreme Court declined to intervene in a challenge to the GOP-leaning congressional map for this cycle. Nonprofit & Community Impact: Promise Fund will offer free mammogram screening days in Jupiter and West Palm Beach next month. Hurricane Watch: Tropical Storm Arthur is forming in the Gulf, with flooding and flash-flood risk highlighted for the Florida Panhandle and beyond.

Maritime & Community: West Marine is shutting eight Florida stores as part of its Chapter 11 restructuring, with the Tallahassee location already closed since 2024. Local Government & Budgets: Pasco County is moving toward a 12-month data center construction moratorium after complaints about noise, flooding risk, and heavy water use; Hillsborough County is preparing for a property-tax amendment fallout that could cut about $367 million a year; Manatee County revisited its Piney Point cleanup contract after a deadlocked vote, tapping $6.4 million from a court-appointed receiver. Public Safety & Courts: Gov. DeSantis signed a five-bill public-safety package strengthening penalties, updating gang statutes to cover online activity, and expanding the career-offender registry. Environment & Research: A lightning strike fire destroyed major equipment and decades of work at USF’s St. Petersburg marine science lab, forcing researchers to salvage and relocate. Immigration Detention: ICE says detainees at “Alligator Alcatraz” in Florida have been transferred ahead of hurricane season, calling it a temporary facility. Nonprofits & Faith: Catholic Charities of Miami opened a new free housing program for homeless pregnant women and infants in Little Havana, and Miami-Dade Catholic schools secured $15 million for security upgrades in the state budget.