Good Morning! On this day in 1913, Florida East Coast Railway magnate and co-founder of Standard Oil, Henry Morrison Flagler, died in Palm Beach. Flagler is credited with developing modern Florida.
Today is Florida’s Emancipation Day, marking the moment when Union Brig. Gen. Edward M. McCook read the Emancipation Proclamation in Tallahassee in 1865, officially declaring that enslaved people in Florida were free.
In case you missed it, this week on The Flyover Podcast, Amy Hess shared why researchers say two to three cups of coffee a day may quietly support one of the body’s hardest-working organs. Dietitians say growing evidence suggests coffee could help reduce inflammation and protect this vital organ from long-term damage. Listen here!
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DeSantis Outlines Property Tax Reform
Gov. Ron DeSantis offered new details Monday about his property tax relief proposal, signaling that the plan could include protections against shifting higher tax burdens onto businesses and restrictions preventing new Florida residents from immediately qualifying for tax breaks.
At a roundtable discussion in Melbourne, DeSantis reiterated that his focus remains on delivering relief to homeowners with homestead exemptions rather than extending broad tax cuts to all property owners. He suggested tourists, seasonal residents, and owners of second homes could shoulder more of the tax burden to help offset revenue losses.
The proposal comes as lawmakers face an early August deadline to place a constitutional amendment before voters in 2026.
The governor argued that rapidly rising property tax collections are placing increasing pressure on Florida homeowners, with local collections rising from roughly $32 billion in 2019 to about $60 billion today.
Schools of Hope Divide Lawmakers
As Florida lawmakers continue budget negotiations during the special session, funding for the state’s controversial Schools of Hope program has become a significant point of disagreement between the House and Senate.
The Senate reduced its proposed funding from $6 million to $3 million, while the House has sought to eliminate funding. The dispute highlights broader divisions over education policy and school choice initiatives as legislators work toward a final spending plan before the new fiscal year begins.
Created in 2017, Schools of Hope were designed to allow high-performing charter operators to establish schools near persistently low-performing public schools. State law allows certain Schools of Hope to occupy underused, vacant, or surplus school district facilities, including co-locating within existing public school buildings.
Supporters, largely Republican lawmakers and school-choice advocates, argue the program gives families additional educational options and better utilizes unused public facilities. Critics, including teachers’ organizations and public-school advocates, contend the initiative can strain district resources and disrupt existing schools.
Vacation Homes Outpace Hotels Around Orlando
As the Memorial Day weekend approaches, tourism experts in Osceola County say they’re seeing a trend toward more people renting vacation homes rather than staying in hotels, as compared to the previous year.
With Orlando expected to be the top domestic destination for the holiday weekend, according to AAA, renting a home has provided a more affordable way for some Floridians to vacation without purchasing airfare. In Osceola County, 43% of all tourists come from within the state.
“We’re up about 3% right now annually on vacation home bookings in this window. So, increase in gas price, increase in airfares really hasn’t impacted the vacation home product,” Casey Leppanen, chief marketing officer with Experience Kissimmee, said.
Vacation homes accounted for 56.2% of tourism development taxes (TDT) during fiscal years 2024 and 2025, and hotels accounted for 40.4% in the same timeframe. Osceola County generated over $81 million in TDT last year, and Experience Kissimmee officials said they are seeing a 7% increase so far in 2026.
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➤ Statewide: Florida’s new rule requiring non-residents to purchase short-term recreational fishing licenses in person instead of online drew backlash from some charter boat captains, who said the change could hurt tourism and local businesses. (More)
➤ Longwood: City commissioners approved the first reading of a proposal that would more than double some water utility rates over the next several years, despite residents voicing frustration. (More)
➤ Martin County: Residents have asked the county for federally established train horn quiet zones. More than 3,000 people have signed petitions for relief from train noise along the Treasure Coast. (More)
➤ Jacksonville: Businesses in Five Points have complained about this past weekend’s first-ever Ironman Triathlon event, as it caused massive traffic delays, road closures, and injuries. Mayor Donna Deegan said city leaders will work to improve communication. (More)
➤ Palm Beach County: The Westlake Affordable Housing Grant is offering qualified families up to $15,000 to buy homes in the city as part of $650,000 available in financial assistance. (More)
➤ Brevard County: Port Canaveral was awarded a $20 million federal grant to improve cargo operations, specifically North Cargo Berths 1 and 2, that service tanker vessels bringing in fuel for the entire Central Florida transportation system. (More)
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➤ The Jacksonville Jaguars won an arbitration case against former head coach Urban Meyer, saving the franchise more than $30 million. The ruling upheld the team’s decision to fire Meyer “with cause” during the 2021 season. (More)
➤ No. 5 seed Florida opens SEC tournament play today behind sophomore ace Aidan King, who was just named SEC Pitcher of the Year after posting a 2.50 ERA this season. (More)
➤The Tampa Bay Rays launched the 19th annual Reading with the Rays summer reading program, challenging students to log 24 hours of reading over summer break. Kids who hit the goal earn two free tickets to a Rays home game. (More)
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➤ Disney announced that Joe Schott, current president of Disney Signature Experiences, will replace Jeff Vahle as president of Walt Disney World Resort when he retires in July. Natacha Rafalski, current president of Disneyland Paris, will replace Schott as the leader of the teams that include Disney Cruise Line. (More)
➤ Soccer fans headed to an Inter Miami CF match on Sunday against Portland at Nu Stadium helped Tri-Rail set a ridership record, exceeding 8,600 rides, surpassing the previous record of 8,400 during Ultra Music Festival in 2024. (More)
➤ Seminole County unanimously approved a motion to authorize the solicitation of architectural, engineering, and construction management services for a planned $160- $175 million multipurpose indoor sports complex in Sanford. (More)
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➤ The University of Florida’s presidential search advisory committee unanimously recommended Stuart R. Bell, the former president of the University of Alabama, to become Florida’s 14th president. (More)
➤ Some cast members of the TV sitcom Full House reunited to celebrate what would have been the late Bob Saget’s 70th birthday on Sunday. Saget died in 2022 after hitting his head in a hotel room in Orlando. (See Photos)
➤ Anna Kepner’s father, Christopher Kepner, stepped in to collect his daughter’s high school diploma at what would have been her graduation. The Titusville 18-year-old was allegedly murdered by her 16-year-old stepbrother on board a Carnival cruise ship. (More)
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DeSantis Outlines Property Tax Reform
