Home Rule Under Attack. Plus, City Drama, Big Tech, and Drought Fears | Welcome to Sunland

Ja'Min from Sunland News and Robin from Martin County Press break down two major bills dismantling local control in Florida: HB 203 (property tax elimination) and HB 691 (agricultural development). Plus: political theater at city meetings, Stuart resignations drama, data centers threatening water supply, and big tech moving to Florida.
TOPICS:

HB 203: Property tax reform could cost St. Lucie $288M annually
HB 691: State approval bypasses local zoning
Home rule under attack from Tallahassee
Sales tax could jump to 12-14% to cover losses
Political theater wasting meeting time
Stuart city employee resignations explained
Indian Town data center vs. drought conditions
Lion Country Safari and Palantir relocations

LINKS:
Martin County Water Bill Assistance:
https://www.martin.fl.us/martin-county-services/emergency-financial-assistance
HB 691 Full Text:
https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/691
HB 203 Breakdown (Martin County Press):
https://martincountypress.com/2026/02/20/hb203-what-to-know/
Stuart City Building Investigation:
https://martincountypress.com/2026/02/09/city-owned-residence/

FOLLOW:
Sunland News: sunlandnews.com
Martin County Press: martincountypress.com
Instagram: @sunlandnews
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