During the May 8th Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency (IA) budget workshop, elected officials approved a plan to fund an air service incentive proposal that would cost $670,000 per year. Page 1
Florida A&M University’s bitterly divided Board of Trustees on Friday selected Marva Johnson as the school’s next president.Page 1
Leon County Government recently recognized the passing of long-serving former County Commissioner J. Lee Vause.
Page 2
Superintendent Hanna has recommended new principals for the 2025-2026 school year to the Leon School Board.
Page 5
The Tallahassee City Commission recently voted to direct the City Attorney’s Office to foreclose code liens related to Washington Square project.
Page 1
The latest jobs report shows the Leon County April unemployment rate dropped to 3.5%.
Page 9
The City Commission voted to award the Griffin Heights Grocery Store Construction contract to Tip Top Construction.
Page 4
Leon County Commission Approves $2.1 Million for Amtrak Station Repair
By Maddox Goodman
On Tuesday, May 13, the Leon County Commission voted to award the contract for the Amtrak Station Visitor Center Building Repair project to H.A. Contracting Corp. in the amount of $2,160,000.
On May 10, 2024, Leon County experienced three simultaneous tornado outbreaks causing widespread damage across TallahasseeLeon County and the Big Bend region. One of the three tornadoes passed directly over Railroad Square and significantly damaged the Historic
By Steve Stewart
The Tallahassee City Commission recently voted to direct the City Attorney’s Office to initiate circuit court action to foreclose code liens and seek recovery of other legal remedies related to Washington Square project located on the block bounded by S. Calhoun, Jefferson and N. Gadsden Streets.
The City has brought two separate code enforcement actions against the property: one for violation of the environmental management permit and a separate action for violation of the Florida Building Code. The Municipal Code Enforcement Board and the Environmental Board have found the property in violation and imposed fines which increase on a daily basis so long as the property remains in violation. As of May 1, 2025, the accrued fines in both cases exceed $413,350 and the property remains in violation.
If the foreclosure process runs through to conclusion, the clerk of court will sell the property (subject to any existing liens with priority over the
liens) and the proceeds of the sale will be applied to
isfy the fines owed to the
The Washington Square project was a proposed 19
By Dara Kam
The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — Florida A&M
University’s bitterly divided Board of Trustees on Friday selected Marva Johnson, an attorney and corporate executive, as the school’s next president, despite an outcry from alumni and students who questioned her qualifications and ties to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Johnson, a Charter Communications executive and former chairwoman of the State Board of Education, was one of four finalists to become FAMU president. The appointment requires confirmation by the state university system’s Board of Governors.
Johnson’s selection in an 8-4 vote came amid major turnover in the leadership of state universities and colleges, as DeSantis and his allies have tried to overhaul the higher education system. During the past two weeks, search committees at the University of Florida and Florida International University announced presidential selections, and University of West Florida President Martha Saunders said she will step down.
More than a dozen FAMU alumni and donors vigorously opposed Johnson’s selection during Friday’s meeting, including some who supported finalist Donald Palm, the university’s executive vice president and chief operating officer.
“The truth of the matter is that
the baggage that comes with finalist Marvin Johnson is not worth any perceived value brought as a non-traditional candidate. We can’t afford another high-profile controversy attached to our university and university’s image. We can’t afford to be associated with anything that has the slightest whiff of undue manipulation,” Will Packer, an author and film producer who is a Florida A&M graduate, said.
But trustee Nicole Washington, an educational adviser based in Miami Beach, said the state’s only historically Black public university needed to adapt to an evolving landscape in higher education.
“I respect the viewpoints expressed but … they may not be the same strategies that will take to move us forward,” Washington said. “I’m excited for new leadership who’s going to be capable of navigating these complex challenges.”
Florida A&M came under intense scrutiny last year when the school accepted — then ultimately rescinded
By Steve Stewart
During the May 8th Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency (IA) budget workshop, elected officials approved a plan to fund an air service incentive proposal. The IA voted 10-2 to approve a plan via an expedited process that would cost $670,000 per year.
Leon County Commissioners Christian Caban and Bill Proctor voted against the item. Caban stated that he supported the air service incentive plan but did not support co-mingling the issue with affordable housing.
The approved motion, provided by Leon County Commissioner Nick Maddox, also included a Maddox amendment allocating $250,000 annually to an affordable housing incentive project. The details of the affordable housing incentive are due to be presented at a later date.
The co-mingling of the air service incentive with Maddox’s affordable housing amendment frustrated IA Chair, City Commissioner Dianne Wiliams-Cox.
However, the air service incentive proposal garnered widespread support among a Board that is normally split on spending proposals. During the debate, officials noted that the proposal was a “no brainer”, recognized that other communities were using the approach and that the use of incentives was supported by Democrats and Republicans.
The proposal comes after public criticism of high fares and the loss of JetBlue service at the Tallahassee airport.
The proposal includes new economic
Capital Health Plan (CHP), a Big Bend region health care provider, is investing $200,000 to support educational programs addressing Florida’s shortage of health care professionals. CHP will provide two disbursements of $100,000 each over the next 2 years to the Florida State University College of Medicine’s Bridge to Clinical Medicine Program.
Leaders from CHP and FSU’s College of Medicine celebrated the gift at a ceremonial check presentation at the FSU College of Medicine on May 13, where officials gathered to celebrate the program’s impact and future.
“For so many students, the biggest obstacle to becoming a doctor isn’t talent or dedication — it’s financial. We hope this funding helps change that,” said Dr. Lynn Jones, Chief Medical Officer at Capital Health Plan.
“Alongside the FSU College of Medicine, we’re investing in students who have the heart for medicine but need additional support to reach that goal. This is about building a healthier future for our communities.”
The yearlong Bridge to Clinical Medicine Program, which culminates with a master’s degree in biomedical sciences, focuses on students from communities with limited access to care and prepares them for a medical education. These students then tend to return to their communities, where they provide access to vital health care services to residents who are too often underserved.
“We’re very proud of the success of our students,” said Anthony Speights, M.D., senior associate dean for Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences and director of Florida
Leon County Government, the City of Tallahassee, Elmington Capital, and community partners held a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of Ridge Road Flats, a new 250-unit affordable housing apartment community, on Wednesday, May 21, at 1 p.m. at 795 Ridge Road. The event included a program with local officials and tours of the new facility.
The press release noted that the “Ridge Road Flats was made possible with approximately $80 million in support from Leon County Government, the City of Tallahassee, Elmington Capital, Tallahassee Housing Authority, the Housing Finance Authority of Leon County, U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation, Florida Housing Finance Corporation, and R4 Capital Funding.”
Designed to serve households earning no more than 70% of the area median income, the Ridge Road Flats development is rent-restricted to ensure long-term affordability. Apartments feature granite counter-
State’s Bridge program. “The fact that CHP has given us this vote of confidence speaks volumes and, rest assured, we will be good stewards of the resources entrusted to us. This donation will help deserving students pursue a rewarding career in health care.”
Since its inception in 2023, the Bridge Program has supported hundreds of aspiring physicians. As of 2023, more than 96% of its 227 alumni had gone on to attend medical school. Of those, 155 have matched with residency programs, 31 have pursued fellowships, and nearly 100 are practicing medicine — many of them in Florida and in primary care specialties. These outcomes demonstrate not only academic achievement but also the program’s tangible impact on health care access in underserved areas, resulting in lives changed and
tops, balconies and patios, in-unit washers and dryers, on-site maintenance and management, fitness center, swimming pool, community garden, and an array of resident programming, including regular pop-up events hosted by healthcare providers and financial counseling workshops.
For more information, contact Mathieu Cavell, Leon County Community and Media Relations, at (850) 606-5300 / CMR@LeonCountyFL.gov or Alison Faris, City of Tallahassee, at (850) 891-8533.
communities better served through the power of partnership and access to opportunity.
Capital Health Plan, now in its 42nd year, has grown to serve over 135,000 members in the Florida Panhandle and has an extensive physician network that includes three exclusive CHP health centers that provide preventive, primary, and specialty care services. Based in Tallahassee, CHP is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit www.capitalhealth.com
Leon County Government recently recognized the passing of long-serving former County Commissioner J. Lee Vause, who died in the afternoon on Monday, May 12, 2025, at age 87.
Serving 20 years as a County Commissioner, Vause leaves behind a legacy of public service leadership. Vause was first elected to the Board of County Commissioners in 1972 and went on to serve two decades, first as District 5 Commissioner and then as At-Large Commissioner. During his tenure, he was elected Chairman of the Board six times. Vause was a strong advocate for increasing the number of parks and recreation areas for citizens to enjoy and championed generational projects, including the Augusts D. Aikens, Jr. County Courthouse, the detention facility, and the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Commissioner Vause’s family, friends, and the countless residents whose lives he touched during his long career in public
service," said Leon County Commission Chairman Brian Welch. “His decades of commitment to our community, from shaping vital infrastructure to championing our natural spaces, leave an enduring legacy on Leon County. We mourn his passing and extend our heartfelt condolences.”
In recognition of his service and commitment to the County, the 26acre J. Lee Vause Park on the banks of Lake Jackson was dedicated in his honor in 2001.
Kevin Record Begins Bicycle Journey Around the World
At 65 years old, Kevin Record, affectionately known as the “Crazy Coach,” is embarking on an extraordinary mission: to become the oldest person to circumnavigate the globe by bicycle. Record launched his mission from Leon High School on Tuesday, where he is taking a leave of absence as the tennis coach and a teacher.
Record aims to cover over 20,000 miles of cycling, supplemented by necessary flights over oceans, totaling approximately 24,000 miles—the Earth’s circumference. His route includes two antipodal points: Madrid, Spain, and Wellington, New Zealand, adhering to Guinness World Records’ requirements for such an endeavor.
“My plan is to go 22,000 miles, roughly 20 countries, and I get 14 months to do it,” Record says.
Record has biked across the United States four times. Now, he’s opting for a much bigger expanse as he raises money for the Alzheimer’s Association
By Freddie Hall WFSU
Lively has officially gained a new addition to its college. It’s not a student, building or even a program. In this case, it’s something that defines the school in a new way.
Lively recently unveiled a new mascot called the Titans.
“When you look at the logo of the Mascot, you notice there’s not a person,” said BJ Van Camp, Director of Lively Technical College.
The new logo/mascot has no physical form. It’s meant to bring attention to the school and increase awareness of the public about its opportunities for workforce skill development. With a blue bold, blue-and-gray, shield and sword design Van Camp says the mascot/logo represents much of what Lively is all about. Across the symbolism, is the word Titan.
“A titan has the spirit of a fighter who never gets down, is resilient and is ready to
in honor of his late parents.
He’ll be camping 60-80% of the time. Other times he’ll be in hostels, staying with friends, and maybe even staying in churches. Friends and family will join up with him at various stops along the way, and he knows he’ll make friends.
“There’s so much kindness and so much adventure out there,” Record says. “When people see you coming on a bike, and you’re a pretty harmless guy…it’s very easy to meet others.”
Record is keeping a laid-back stance, saying he should probably be more concerned than he is.
“I’ve come to embrace uncertainty. I think I’m wired for this. I just feel better when I’m on a bicycle. Riding that bike all day, I feel like a little kid again,” Record says. “Life is uncertain. This is highly uncertain, but I’m embracing that, and I really can’t wait to see how it unfolds.”
Throughout his voyage, Record
plans to share his experiences via daily updates on social media platforms and a weekly podcast titled “Tuesday Night from The Tent,” offering followers an intimate glimpse into the trials and triumphs of his global trek. Supporters can track his real-time location through his official website, fostering a sense of community and
overcome any obstacle or challenge,” said Van Camp. Van Camp went on to say that Lively students are resilient and like to learn skills that require them to work with their hands. These skills, like welding and nursing, are among the dozen or so specialties that Lively offers. She also said the school’s nontraditional classroom model is geared toward high-paying, trade-based careers that
don’t require advanced degrees. Lively is run by the Leon County School District, and students pay tuition and fees to attend.
The college’s new mascot unveiling comes on the heels of talks regarding its future and whether it should become a part of Tallahassee State College. A group studying that issue ultimately decided to leave Lively with LCS.
shared adventure.
For more information or to support Kevin Record’s mission, visit crazycoach4therecords.com. You can follow Record’s social media accounts for updates: Facebook: @kevin.record.5, Instagram: @kevin.record.5, YouTube: @skrappytennis and TikTok: @kevinrecord68.
The Leon County Board of County Commissioners will conduct a special meeting on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 3 p.m. at the County Commission Chambers, 5th Floor, at the Judge Augustus D. Aikens, Jr., Leon County Courthouse, 301 S. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32301. The solid waste assessment rate study and the fire services assessment study update will be specific topics of discussion.
Leon County will broadcast the meeting on Comcast channel 16, the Leon County Florida Channel on Roku, the County’s Facebook page, YouTube channel, X/Twitter page, and the County’s website.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 286.26, Florida Statutes, persons needing a special accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact Community and Media Relations at Leon County Courthouse, 301 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32301, or CMR@LeonCountyFL.gov, by written request at least 48 hours prior to the proceeding. Telephone: (850) 606-5300, 1-800-955-8771 (TTY), 1-800-955-8770 (Voice), or 711 via Florida Relay Service.
Citizens wishing to provide virtual comment must register by 8:00 p.m. on the day before the meeting.
Agenda materials for the special meeting will be distributed on the County’s website at LeonCountyFL.gov/BOCCMeetings. For more information, please contact Leon County Community and Media Relations at 850-606-5300 or CMR@ LeonCountyFL.gov.
Leon County Seeks Applications for Children’s Service Council Vacancy
By Staff
Leon County Government is seeking applications from qualified individuals interested in serving on the Children’s Services Council of Leon County (CSC Leon).
CSC member Simone Marstiller, who was appointed by Gov. DeSantis in May 2024, resigned her position in April and moved out of the area. According to state law, council members must reside in the county.
Approved by voters during the November 2020 General Election, CSC Leon was established to provide children with early learning and reading skills, development, treatment, preventative and other children’s services. The CSC Leon is an independent special
district that is responsible for funding children’s services throughout the County by levying ad valorem taxes estimated at up to $8 million annually.
All applications must be completed and submitted electronically no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025, at LeonCountyFL.gov/CSCApplication.
To be eligible, applicants must be a resident of Leon County for the previous 24-month period and be willing to submit an annual Statement of Financial Interests Form.
The CSC Leon functions to support organizations that serve children and families in Leon County and will work to identify children’s needs in the community, target those needs with evidence-based programs, and evaluate results. In accordance with
Florida Statute, the CSC Leon is comprised of ten members, five of whom are appointed by the Governor’s Office from a list of candidates submitted by the Leon County Board of County Commissioners. This list will include at least three recommendations for the upcoming vacancy (a minimum total of 3 candidates).
As part of the application, applicants are asked to attach a resume or provide a brief explanation of how their skills, experience, or educational background will contribute to the CSC Leon. Additionally, Florida Statute requires that, to the extent possible, those appointed represent the demographic diversity of the population of Leon County. To assure the fullest consideration, applica-
City Awards Construction Contract for Griffin Heights Grocery Store
By Steve Stewart
The Tallahassee City Commission re-
cently voted to adopt staff’s recommendation to award the Griffin Heights Grocery Store Construction contract to Tip Top Construction.
The project is slated to cost $1,287,040 and will be funded using Neighborhood First funds from the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs Department’s Capital Budget.
In response to the requests of Griffin Heights residents and stakeholders, outlined in their Neighborhood First Plan, the Office of Economic Vitality (OEV) purchased the property at the corner of Alabama and Harlem Streets for the construction of a grocery store.
OEV subsequently transferred the property to the City of Tallahassee for the development of a healthy food store for the community. Architects Lewis+Whitlock (ALW) was hired to design the store and to develop building plans. During the development of the store, the City, supported by ALW, held several neighborhood meetings to gather input from residents and stakeholders.
ALW has designed a ~2500-square-foot store for the property featuring architectural elements that complement the homes
and buildings in the community. The design also includes a community space that can be used for various community outreach and engagement activities.
The City issued and advertised the initial Invitation for Bid (IFB) for the Griffin Heights Healthy Food Store, (RFQ-00825-KM) in July 2024; however, only one bid was received. The bid was subsequently re-advertised two additional times to encourage competitive responses, with the final solicitation (IFB 053-25-KM) closing in 2025 and yielding two bids.
Tip Top Construction, the bidder recommended for the award, provided the lowest responsive bid at $1,287,040 and demonstrated good faith in meeting the Office of Economic Vitality Minority, Women, and Small Business Enterprise (MWSBE) goal.
Tallahassee City Commission Meeting Briefs: May 14, 2025
By Steve Stewart
Provided below are the news briefs from the Tallahassee City Commission meeting held on May 14, 2025.
Presentations
The City Commission presented four proclamations related to National Public Works Week, Gun Violence Awareness Day, Treatment Court Month, and the Miccosukee Tribe.
The City Commission approved 15 Consent items.
Introduction of Ordinances
11.01: Commission voted 4-0 (Commissioner Richardson not in chambers) for the introduction of Ordinance No. 25-Z10 to amend Zoning Classification from Residential Preservation 1 (RP-1) to Office Residential – 1 (OR-1) on .60 acres at the Intersection of Bradford Road and E Dellview Drive. Public Hearing Scheduled for May 14, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
11.02 Commission voted 4-0 for the introduction of Ordinance No. 25-O-09 to Change the Future Land Use Map Designation from the Residential Preservation Land Use Category to Suburban Land Use Category on .60 acres at the Intersection of Bradford Road and E Dellview Drive. Public Hearing Scheduled for May 14, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
11.01 Commission voted 4-0 for the introduction of Ordinance No. 25-Z-08 to amend the Canopy Planned Unit Development (PUD) Concept Plan, Located on 505 Acres at the Southeast Corner of the Intersection of Fleischmann Lane and Centerville Road; Public Hearing Scheduled for August 20, 2025.
11.02 Commission voted 4-0 for the introduction of Ordinance No. 25-Z-11 to amend zoning for 0.76 Acres Located at 1405 Melvin Street from the Central Urban-12 (CU-12) Zoning District to the Central Urban-12 (CU-12) Zoning District with Historic Preservation Overlay (CU12/HPO)— Public Hearing Scheduled for August 20, 2025.
11.03 Commission voted 4-0 for the introduction ofOrdinance 25-O-13, Amending Chapter 7 of the Code of Ordinances, the Tallahassee Municipal Election Code; Pub-
lic Hearing for June 11, 2025, at 6pm.
11.04 Commission voted 4-0 for the introduction of Ordinance 25-O-14, Amending City Charter §14 to Expand the Appointment Window for Filling an Unanticipated Vacancy; Public Hearing on June 11, 2025, at 6pm.
11.05 Commission voted 4-0 for the introduction of Ordinance No. 25-O-15; Moratorium on Gas Stations; Public Hearings Scheduled for June 11, 2025; Second Public Hearing Scheduled for August 20, 2025. Policy Formation and Direction
12.01: Commission voted 4-0 to approve Resolution Nos. 25-R-22 and 25-R-23 for Eminent Domain Action for Construction of the FAMU Way Phase IV Roadway Improvements.
12.02: (ITEM DELETED) Update on the Canopy Circle K Property.
12.03: Commission voted 4-0 to direct City Attorney’s Office to initiate circuit court action to foreclose code liens and seek recovery of other legal remedies related to the Washington Square development.
12.04: Commission voted 4-0 to approve Resolution 25-R-26 Authorizing Issuance of City of Tallahassee, Florida Energy System Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series 2025 in an Amount Not to Exceed $124,000,000.
12.05: Commission voted 4-0 to approve
Resolution 25-R-25 Authorizing Issuance of City of Tallahassee, Florida Consolidated Utility Systems Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series 2025 in an Amount Not to Exceed $110,000,000.
12.06: Commission voted 4-0 to approve Resolution 25-R-24 Authorizing Issuance of City of Tallahassee, Florida Capital Refunding Bonds, Series 2025 in an Amount Not to Exceed $105,000,000.
12.07: Commission voted 4-0 to amend City Commission Policy 104 (Audit Policy). Due to the passage of an amendment to the City Charter in November 2024, a revision of City Commission Policy 104 is required.
12.08: Commission voted 4-0 to approve to Negotiate and Execute a Contract for External Auditing Services, Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 004-25-KM.
tions should thoroughly respond to each question. For more information, contact Lisa Davis, Leon County Administration at 850-606-5300 / DavisLis@LeonCountyFL.gov, or Mathieu Cavell, Leon County Community and Media Relations at 850-606-5300 / CMR@ LeonCountyFL.gov.
City to Seek Washington Square Foreclosure
A site plan, environmental management permit and building permits were issued for the project in 2018. Construction commenced and a portion of the structured parking was constructed. Construction ceased sometime in 2019. In March 2020, the general contractor notified city officials that it was no longer serving as contractor of record.
The City initiated a code enforcement action for violation of the Florida Building Code due to abandonment of the construction site. By order dated October 18, 2022, the Municipal Code Enforcement Board found the property in violation and ordered fines of $100 per day against the property until brought into compliance. The code enforcement order was subsequently filed in the real property records of Leon County and operates as a lien against the property.
The City also initiated an environmental code enforcement action for violations of the environmental management permit. By order dated October 27, 2021, the Environmental Board found the property in violation and ordered fines of $250 per day against the
property until brought into compliance. The code enforcement order was subsequently filed in the real property records of Leon County and operates as a lien against the property.
A code enforcement fine imposed pursuant to the Tallahassee Code continues to accrue until compliance, or until judgment is rendered in a suit to foreclose a lien.
A certified copy of the order imposing fines constitutes a lien against the land on which the violation occurred. When at least three months have passed from the date of filing the lien, the City Attorney may bring an action on behalf of the City to foreclose the lien.
In addition to the lien foreclosure claims, the City Attorney’s Office is evaluating other legal remedies which may be asserted including claims arising from the damage to sidewalks, right-of-way and the abandoned construction site.
Leon County Commission Meeting Briefs: May 13, 2025
By Steve Stewart
Below are the briefs from the Leon County Commission meeting held on May 13, 2025. The Board approved Consent Items 1-6.
General Business
Item 7: The Board voted 7-0 to accept the status report on the Implementation of the 2024 After-Action Reports and Preparation for the 2025 Hurricane Season. The report provided an update on the County’s progress implementing the 41 recommendations from the Bicentennial Storm, May 10 Tornado Outbreak, and Hurricane Helene After-Action Reports in 2024, and outlines the County’s preparations for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.
Item 8: The Board voted 7-0 to award a contract for the Amtrak Station Visitor Center Building Repair Project to H.A. Contracting Corp. in the amount of $2,160,000. The Center was damaged during the May 10 Tornado Outbreak.
Item 9: The Board voted 7-0 to adopt a Resolution Approving the Plan of Financing for the Housing Finance Authority of Leon County to seek up to $50 million in single family mortgage revenue bonds from the State of Florida to finance the development of affordable rental development projects in Leon County.
Item 10: The Board voted 7-0 to make Full Board Appointments to the Apalachee Regional Planning Council and the Advisory Committee for Quality Growth. These actions included reappointment of City Commissioner Jacqueline Porter to the Apalachee Regional Planning Council, reappointment of Robert Heath Annin to Seat #4, nominated by the Associated Builders & Contractors, on the Advisory
Committee for Quality Growth, reappointment of Leroy Peck to Seat #6, nominated by the Council of Neighborhood Associations, on the Advisory Committee for Quality Growth, appointment of Shannon Butler to Seat #10 on the Advisory Committee for Quality Growth, reappointment of Karrie Larson to Seat #12, nominated by the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, on the Advisory Committee for Quality Growth, reappointment of Audra Fournier to Seat #14, nominated by the Network of Entrepreneurs & Business Advocates, on the Advisory Committee for Quality Growth, reappointment of Guy Prentice to Seat #16 on the Advisory Committee for Quality Growth.
Public Hearings
Item 11: The Board voted to adopt an Ordinance Amending Article XI of the Leon County Land Development Code, Uniform Street Naming and Property Numbering System.
Item 12: The Board voted to adopt an Ordinance Amending Chapter 6, Article II, of the Leon County Code of Laws, entitled “Code Enforcement Board”, and Repealing and Replacing Chapter 11, Article IX of the Leon County Code of Ordinances, entitled “Towing Services”. The Board also voted to adopt a Resolution establishing the schedules of maximum rates for nonconsensual towing and storage services consistent with the proposed Ordinance.
Item 13: The Board voted 6-1 (Caban in opposition) in favor of the transmittal process related to the Comprehensive Plan Update to the Future Land Use and Mobility Elements. The vote included sending a letter to the city asking them to add a Midtown “sense of place” designation and to have one meeting with the public to discuss the comp plan.
FORECLOSURE, From Front Page
Superintendent Hanna Recommends New Principals for 2025-26
By Steve Stewart
Superintendent Hanna has recommended the following school leaders as new principals for the 2025-2026 school year to the Leon School Board.
Leon High School— Michael Bryan is retiring after a career of service and Scotty Crowe will be taking over as principal of Leon High School. Scotty Crowe was most recently the principal of Gilchrist Elementary and previously Montford Middle.
Gilchrist Elementary School—Lisa Mehr will become the new principal at Gilchrist Elementary School. Dr. Mehr was most recently the principal of Woodville K8 school.
Woodville K-8 School—Cari Molinaro will become the new principal of Woodville K -8 School. Mrs. Molinaro has been the assistant principal of Woodville for the past year, and she served as an assistant principal at Leon High School for six years prior.
Griffin Middle School—Kerri Anderson will be the next principal at Griffin Middle School. Mrs. Anderson was most recently the principal at W.T. Moore and has been a teacher and dean at Griffin Middle School in the past.
Cobb Middle School— Logan Crouch has been appointed to serve as principal of Cobb Middle School. Mr. Crouch was most recently an assistant principal at Raa Middle School.
The School of Arts
Leon County Commission Approves $2.1 Million for Amtrak Station Repair
AMTRAK, From Front Page
Amtrak Station, causing major roof damage and other structural impacts.
The storm struck from the west side of the building and lifted the roof damaging the underlying support trusses. The wind severely damaged the awnings and soffits along the north side of the building. In addition to damaging the awning ledger and supporting brick pockets, the awnings struck the guardrails, damaging the concrete and the freestanding light poles on the north side of the building. As a result of the extensive damage, all opera -
tions at this site ceased and currently remain inactive.
The Division of Tourism has been temporarily relocated to other County spaces and All Saints Cinema is currently operating out of the Challenger Center.
Since the damage was the result of a tornado storm event, funding for this project will be partially provided through insurance proceeds ($1,175,000) with addi -
tional funding from available County’s Tourism Fund Reserves ($985,000). An additional 20% contingency ($432,000) will be added to the budget to account for any unforeseen conditions due to the historical nature of the building for a total project budget of approximately $2.6 million.
and Innovative Learning (SAIL)—Sarah Hembree will become the newest principal of SAIL High School. Mrs. Hembree was most recently the director of recruitment and retention for Leon Schools and prior to that served as the principal of Cobb Middle School and an assistant principal at Leon High School. Also, Billy Millard is returning to W.T. Moore Elementary as the principal for the 2025-26 school year.
Blueprint Approves Air Service, Affordable Housing Incentive Plan
BLUEPRINT, From Front Page
development funding request of $670,000 per year from the Incentives, Grants and Programs master project, for TLH air service development incentives and related air service capacity-related improvements. The cost of the program would be $3,350,000 over the five-year planning period and $10 million over the life of the Blueprint 2020 sales tax. Typically, project funding requests are presented to the Blueprint IA Board as separate agenda items for consideration. However, due to the timesensitive nature of this project, the Office of Economic Vitality requested that consideration of
the funding proposal be included as part of the Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget and 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan. This approach enables the IA Board to consider a budget amendment for the current fiscal year. A consultant hired by the Tallahassee projects the incentive program would enhance, expand and improve air service in Tallahassee. Also, an analysis indicates the return on investment (ROI) would be approximately $1.1 billion in economic impact, with a corresponding 1,158 jobs created.
Leon County School Board Meeting Briefs: May 13, 2025
By Steve Stewart
Provided below are the news briefs from the May 13, 2025, Leon County School Board meeting.
Items Considered by the Board
Item 19.01: The Superintendent has recommended the 6-12 Science Adoption Committee Recommendations .There is NO VOTE required for this item. On May 27, 2025, the School Board will vote on the recommendation.
Item 19.02: The Superintendent recommends review of the Personal Financial Literacy and Money Management Review Committee results. There is NO VOTE required for this item. This begins the obligatory 20-day public viewing period May 13 through June 10, 2025.
Item 19.03: The Board voted 4-0 (Nicolas not present) to advertise amendments to Policy 7510 – Use of District Facilities, for a public hearing and adoption on June 17, 2025. For the purposes of this policy,
Social Media Threat Leads To Arrest Of Tallahassee Teen
On Thursday, May 15, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office received a tip regarding a student at Rickards High School who allegedly made threats to conduct a mass shooting at Rickard’s High School. The threat was discovered in a video circulating on Instagram.
The student has been arrested and charged with Written or Electronic Threats to Kill or Conduct a Mass Shooting and transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center.
The Leon County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with Leon County Schools, treats all threats toward schools with the highest level of concern. We remain committed to investigating any potential threats and ensuring the safety of students and staff. Parents and guardians are encouraged to discuss the gravity of making threats with their children and the potential legal consequences.
Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra Appoints New Conductor
The Tallahassee Symphony interviewed five finalists for the
the term “District Facilities” means land and buildings or any portion thereof.
Item 19.04: The Borad voted 4-0 to approve the 2025-2026 Florida Partnership for Minority & Underrepresented Student Achievement Grant (FLP Achieve) in the amount of $169,690. The mission of the Florida Partnership for Minority and Underrepresented Student Achievement program (FLP Achieve) under the administration of Palm Beach State College (PBSC) is to prepare, inspire, and connect all students to post-secondary success and opportunity, with a particular focus on minority students and students who are underserved in postsecondary education. The FLP Achieve program will help increase teacher knowledge and strategies to support advance placement learning, increase enrollment, course completion of industry certification programs, and increased graduation rates.
Item 19.05: The Board voted 3-1 (Jones against) to approve Amendment 4 to the Decem-
role of conductor. The last of those has become the winning pick. Yaniv Dinur will be leading the TSO. The announcement came during a Friday luncheon at the symphony’s headquarters. Dinur told the audience of board members, musicians and fans that he had one major mission as a conductor.
“Make the audience happy and go through unforgettable musical experiences and enrich their life.”
That's a goal in perfect harmony with Symphony Manager Mandy Stringer.
“He’s going to be excellent in making the classics even better. He’s going to be great doing our Spooktacular concert for kids and families. He says his favorite concert, even though he’s Israeli and Jewish is the Christmas concert. So he’s excited about that.”
Maestro Dinur will lead off the Tallahassee Symphony’s season-opening concert September 13th.
After FAMU President Appointed, Supporters & Critics Respond
Following the appointment of Marva Johnson to the school’s presidency, alumni, students and other FAMU stakehold-
ber 11, 2018, Charter between the School Board of Leon County and the Tallahassee Classical School, Inc. The Tallahassee Classical Charter School would like to alter their current early release Wednesday schedule. In December of 2020, Tallahassee Classical sought approval to amend their calendar by adding early dismissal days every Wednesday of the school year to provide for professional development for all teachers. Moving into the 2025-2026 school year, Tallahassee Classical will no longer need this amount of time for professional development. The Tallahassee Classical Board of Trustees approved this change at their meeting on February 24, 2025, and now respectfully requests approval for early dismissal on the last Friday of every month beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. Action by the School Board of Leon County is required to amend the charter to reflect this schedule change.
Item 19.06: The Board voted 3-1 (Jones against) to approve
Local News Briefs
ers are weighing how best to move forward. Johnson is a controversial candidate for her ties to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, as he works to remake higher education in the state. Now, the school’s interim president is urging calm amid backlash and boycott threats in response to Johnson’s appointment by the FAMU Board of Trustees.
“I urge you to stay engaged and remain connected,” Interim President Tim Beard wrote in a statement. “Your advocacy, your feedback and your financial support are crucial to ensuring that our institution continues to thrive.”
Bethel Missionary Baptist
Church pastor R.B. Holmes says he supported FAMU Chief Operating Officer and fellow finalist Donald Palm for president but is now praying for a peaceful resolution.
“Put FAMU first,” Holmes said in a statement to WFSU.
“I don’t believe the members of the Board of Trustees are out to destroy Florida A&M University. I believe FAMU’s best days are still before her.”
Chuck Hobbs, a writer and attorney whose parents held major jobs at FAMU, and who earned his master’s degree there, acknowledges John-
a five-year renewal charter contract, from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030, for Tallahassee Classical School. Tallahassee Classical School (TCS) originally opened its doors in August 2020 with a 5-year charter. In the fall of 2024, Tallahassee Classical School submitted a renewal application. The charter school renewal committee thoroughly reviewed the application, reviewed school data, performed an onsite monitoring visit during which they were presented with information about the school, participated in a question-and-answer session and visited multiple classrooms.
The review team held a public meeting on December 2nd, to compile the final recommendation. The review committee recommended that the renewal be granted for five years.
On February 11, 2025, the Leon County School Board voted to approve Tallahassee Classical’s renewal application.
The attached renewal charter contract is the Florida Standard Charter Renewal Contract, with no modifications,
son’s strengths.
“She has an accomplished resume. But it’s an accomplished resume with regards to lobbying, telecommunications, and the law, not with regards to higher education,” Hobbs said. “There’s been a lot of speculation— ‘Oh, they just don’t like her, they’re not giving her a chance because she’s a Republican.’ No, that’s not it at all. In fact, I registered as a Republican as an 18-year-old in 1991. And I was a member of the Republican party for 23 years.”
“If she saw and witnessed all of the things that he did during his first administration, all of the race-baiting, all of the profanity-laced comments about Haiti and African countries and black NFL players and black stalwart politicians like John Lewis and Elijah Cummings. He was constantly race-baiting, and yet she saw and heard all of that, and still she decided to hitch her political wagon with him,” Hobbs said.
University Officials to Evaluate Campus Security After FSU Shooting
After a mass shooting last month at Florida State University that killed two people,
except answers to questions posed within the standard contract. Additionally, Tallahassee Classical School has signed a contract with Great Hearts America, the country’s largest classical charter school network.
Item 19.07: Item was deleted from agenda.
Item 19.08: The Board voted 4-0 to approve the 2025 – 2026 annual renewal Health Contract between Leon County School Board and the Department of Health in Leon County, Florida, in an amount not to exceed $ 1,496,519.76 authorizing the Chairman or Vice Chairman and Superintendent to sign all related documents.
The 2025 – 2026 Health Services Contract between the Leon County School Board and the Department of Health Services is a continuation contract that will authorize the Leon County Schools Health Department to work collaboratively with the Department of Health in Leon County to support school health rooms.
officials will look at building security on campuses across the state and hold a “safety summit” in October, according to university system Chancellor Ray Rodrigues.
Rodrigues told the system’s Board of Governors that campus leaders will assess the security of buildings and the ability to carry out what he called a “lockdown drill.” He said the goal is to be done by the end of the summer, which would provide time to make budget requests for the 2026 legislative session.
“Specifically, we want to know if the doors can be locked from the inside, and if there are windows in the doors, can those be covered or protected?” Rodrigues said. He said the October event will allow universities to share information about “best practices” and discuss the results of the assessments of campus safety.
“The goal there would be to identify what we can do to improve across each of our university campuses, as well as identify common concerns so that we will know if we want to make any policy requests of the Legislature for the 2026 session,” Rodrigues said.
By Jim Turner The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s unemployment rate increased to 3.7 percent in April, the third time it has ticked up this year. The Florida Department of Commerce on Friday released a report showing an estimated 410,000 people were out of work in April from a labor force of 11.203 million. The 3.7 percent rate was up from 3.6 percent in February and March.
The rate was 3.5 percent in January, an increase from 3.4 percent in December. It was 3.3 percent in April 2024.
The number of people qualified as unemployed increased by 7,000 in April and was 46,000 higher than in April 2024, the report showed. Meanwhile, the labor force increased by 5,000 people in April and was up by 57,000
State Jobless Rate at 3.7 Percent
from April 2024.
Jimmy Heckman, the Department of Commerce’s chief of workforce statistics and economic research, called the unemployment-rate increase a “steady trend.”
“What would worry me is something that’s accelerated,” Heckman told reporters Friday. “It’s very stable. It’s still lower than the national rate.
A sub-4 percent unemployment rate, at pretty much anytime, is going to signal a very good labor market. I don’t see that as a sign for concern.”
The national unemployment rate in April was 4.2 percent, up from 3.9 percent a year earlier.
Florida’s April numbers were bolstered by employment in a broad category of education and health services, which grew by 8,000 from March. A sub-category of health care and social assistance made up 7,700 of that increase.
Employment in a category of professional and business services positions increased by 7,400, while a category of leisure and hospitality increased by 3,800. Employment in a sub-category of accommodation and food services increased by 5,200, which Heckman attributed to “late seasonal hiring.”
Employment in manufacturing was down by 2,000 jobs.
Across the state, the lowest unemployment rate in April remained in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metropolitan statistical area at 3 percent, down from 3.1 percent in March. Within that region, the rate in the MiamiMiami-Beach-Kendall area was at 2.7 percent.
The April rate was 3.3 percent in the Crestview-FortWalton Beach-Destin and Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford metropolitan statistical areas, while it was 3.5 percent in the
State Briefs: UWF to Consider Interim President
The University of West Florida Board of Trustees next week is expected to consider appointing an interim president and begin the process of hiring a search firm to help find a replacement for outgoing President Martha Saunders. During a meeting Tuesday, the trustees also are expected to formally accept Saunders’ resignation, which she submitted May 12, according to a meeting agenda. Saunders did not give a specific resignation date. Her contract requires 90 days notice, though that requirement can be waived by the Board of Trustees, according to material posted online in advance of Tuesday’s meeting. Under the contract, Saunders also must be given an opportunity to return to a position of tenured professor in the university’s Department of Communication. Saunders, who became president of the Pensacola-based school in 2017, is the longest-serving president in the university system.
DeSantis Signs School Safety Bill
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed a bill that addresses a series of school-safety issues, including training for school security guards. The House and Senate this spring unanimously passed the bill (SB 1470). It adds to
safety changes made since the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland that killed 17 people.
“Every year, we are incorporating lessons learned and looking for improvements,” Senate bill sponsor Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, said in a prepared statement Wednesday. “Florida families expect us to get this right. We can’t, and we won’t let them down.”
As an example, the bill requires that training of school security guards be conducted by sheriffs or approved by sheriffs. As another example, the bill makes changes to requirements about perimeter and door security at schools. DeSantis signed the measure, which will take effect July 1, during an appearance in Winter Haven.
LOCAL NEWS
Miami-Dade Latest Florida County to Flip from Blue to Red in Voter Registration
By Mitch Perry Florida Phoenix
The latest evidence of the Republican Party’s growth in Florida is news announced on Monday that registered Republicans now outrank Democrats in Miami-Dade County, the most populous in Florida.
The latest voter rolls in the county now show 464,370 registered Republicans, or 34% of voters, 440,790 Democrats, or 32.27%. Independent and third-party voters together number 460,783, or 33.7%. Those numbers come via Michael Pruser, the director of data science with Decision Desk HQ.
“This is a total repudiation of the Democrats’ failed agenda. Miami-Dade is no longer their safe haven — it’s the beating heart of the Republican revolution,” said Evan Power, chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, in a written statement.
“We’re the party of hardworking families, Hispanic patriots, and communities demanding safe streets, topnotch schools, and a booming economy. Miami-Dade proves the unstoppable momentum of the Republican message.”
Long a Democratic stronghold, the majority-Latino area has been trending more politically right over the past decade but continued to back Democrats at the top of the ticket until the past couple of election cycles.
Although Donald Trump has won the state of Florida in the past three presidential elections, Miami-Dade voters supported Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020. But Biden’s 2020 win was by only 7 points, down from Clinton’s 29-point margin of victory in 2016. Then, last fall, Trump won MiamiDade County for the first time in a presidential election, defeating Kamala Harris there by 11 points, becoming the first Republican to win in Miami-Dade since George H.W. Bush over Michael Dukakis in 1988 (Trump won the state by 13 points).
Florida has seen a surge of Republican voters since the COVID-19 crisis in 2020. Whereas Ron DeSantis narrowly defeated Democrat Andrew Gillum in the race for governor in 2018 in a vote so close it took a recount to sort out, he came back and defeated Democrat Charlie Crist by 19 points statewide in 2022.
DeSantis won Miami-Dade that year by 11 points. In 2018, he lost to Gillum by 21 points, according to the Miami Herald.
To see how quickly the tide has turned, one need only look back at 2018, when Florida Democrats enjoyed a more than 264,000-voter registration lead. The Republican Party of Florida in 2021 overtook the Democrats for the first time in the state, and their lead today stands at 1.29 million.
“A decade ago, Miami-Dade County was a deep blue county with hundreds of thousands more registered Democrats than Republicans,” DeSantis said on X on Monday morning. “Today, the county — with more than 2.8 million people — has a Republican voter registration advantage. Nobody would have predicted this ten years ago.”
“THE BEST IS YET TO COME,” said Southwest Republican U.S. Rep. and gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds.
Jacksonville, Naples-Marco Island, Panama City-Panama City Beach, Tallahassee and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater regions. The rate was 3.7 percent in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, Palm Bay-MelbourneTitusville and Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent metropolitan statistical areas.
The highest rate in the state was 6.3 percent in the metropolitan statistical area
that includes The Villages and Wildwood. The Homosassa Springs area was at 5.2 percent, the Sebring area was at 4.8 percent, the Punta Gorda area was at 4.4 percent, the Ocala area was at 4.3 percent and the Lakeland-Winter Haven and Sebastian-Vero Beach areas were at 4.2 percent.
The statewide rate is seasonally adjusted, while the metro rates are not adjusted.
Johnson Picked for FAMU President
FAMU, From Front Page
— a $239 million donation from a purported hemp entrepreneur after questions arose about its legitimacy. Fallout from the controversy led to the resignation of former FAMU President Larry Robinson. Timothy Beard, a retired president of PascoHernando State College, has served as interim president of FAMU since July. Monica Williams Harris, an attorney who serves on the FAMU Foundation’s board of directors, said Johnson “is not ready to lead this institution.” Harris said alumni threatened to drop their financial support for the school if Johnson was selected.
“If you are honest about this assessment and don’t yield to political pressure, that you will realize that she is not the right person at this time to lead this institution,” Harris said.
Pushback against Johnson from the FAMU community intensified after former trustee Earnie Ellison was forced to resign this month when the university system’s Board of Governors asked that his name be removed from consideration for Senate confirmation. The Board of Governors on Thursday named Raphael Vazquez, a Tallahassee businessman, as a FAMU trustee — a day before the vote on the presidential selection. Vazquez supported Johnson.
Trustee Belvin Perry, a retired judge and former prosecutor, said Friday that Ellison was “mysteriously” removed after asking for a pause in the presidential search process.
Perry, who voted for Palm, said he was not pressured by the governor’s office but had a conversation about the “pros and cons of each candidate” with one of DeSantis’ aides.
“You cannot overlook the strong alumni and their voice. You cannot overlook the students and their voice, particularly so when they are based on reasons, based upon solid facts,” Perry said, adding that the result of Friday’s vote was a “foregone conclusion.”
Board of Trustees Chairwoman Kristin Harper vehemently opposed Johnson’s nomination and suggested the selection could damage the school’s long-running reputation as one of the nation’s top historically Black universities.
She pointed to Johnson’s interviews on campus, saying “there was a lack of intellectual depth and a gap in cultural connection that was just painfully blatant.”
financially responsible to select a finalist whose qualifications pale in comparison to others and whose salary requirements we cannot afford,” said Harper, who voted for Palm. “I also have to go on the record as a Black woman in an age of meritbased hiring decisions. How can one justify settling for a candidate who does not meet all of the position criteria or turning a blind eye to exceptionally qualified candidates?”
Proponents of Johnson, who is Black, argued that she would be wellplaced to advocate for funding from the state Legislature.
“This moment calls for someone who understands the systems that fund and govern us, because right now, our survival depends on how we navigate those systems. We cannot depend solely on alumni giving to get our needs. The reality is that most of our funding comes from the Florida Board of Governors and the state Legislature,” Jamal Brown, a pharmacy professor who is president of the FAMU Senate Faculty, said.
Animosity between board members who aligned with Johnson and those who didn’t flared toward the end of Friday’s 3 ½-hour meeting, as trustee Michael White made a motion to have Washington negotiate Johnson’s salary — a task generally handled by the board’s chairperson.
“It’s like a Lifetime movie,” Harper said, adding that she was “offended” by the move.
Perry defended Harper and said the effort to remove her from the negotiation process “adds to the odious odor of what’s going on in this body. … I just find it horrible that in an institution that talks about love and charity that there is no love, there is no charity.”
After a series of procedural maneuvers failed, the board voted 6-4 to have Washington negotiate the salary.
The higher-education overhaul in Florida coincides with efforts by DeSantis and other Republican leaders to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs and restrict the way Black history can be taught. Critics of Friday’s vote linked Johnson’s selection to those initiatives.
Genesis Robinson, executive director of the Equal Ground Education Fund advocacy group, said he was “deeply disappointed and troubled” with the board’s move. He called historically Black colleges and universities the “pillars of Black civic power and self-determination.”
“This is bigger than one hire. Across Florida, we are witnessing a troubling trend — the suppression of Black political power, the rollback of DEI, attacks on academic freedom, and now, the co-opting of our institutions, Robinson, a FAMU graduate, said in a statement. Stay informed on
“Miami-Dade County has completed its off-year voter roll maintenance, and this morning, it shed 172,747 voters from its active voters,” said Pruser on Monday.
“The change netted Republican voters more than 38,000 voters compared to Democrats, and the country has now flipped to Republican by registration,” he added.
This is the second large county to flip from blue to red this year in Florida. In January, Republican voters overtook Democrats in Hillsborough County, the third-most populous in Florida. Republicans now lead in 59 out of 67 counties in voter registration.
Harper also noted that Johnson is seeking $750,000 in annual compensation — which would be at the maximum end of the $450,000 to $750,000 presidential salary range approved by the trustees Friday. Johnson also did not meet all of the requirements for the job, according to Harper.
“As a fiduciary, I don’t think it’s
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Florida Chamber Poll Shows Republicans Maintain Double-Digit Lead Over Democrats
Voters supportive of efforts to pass tax relief for individuals and local businesses, not reversing course on historic lawsuit abuse reform.
As we move further into 2025 with President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in the books, the most recent Florida Chamber statewide poll finds both Governor Ron DeSantis and President Trump with high job approval numbers. While 54% of Florida voters approve of the job Governor DeSantis is doing, President Trump enjoys support from 51% of Florida voters who approve of the job he is doing since being elected President.
The Florida Chamber’s new poll also finds Floridians remain optimistic about the direction of Florida, with 49% saying Florida is heading in the right direction, while 43% believe things are on the wrong track. Opinions on the direction of the United States are split, with 48% of Floridians believing the nation is heading in the right direction and an equal number believing the country is on the wrong track. Both numbers remain steady with the Florida Chamber’s most recent public poll in February.
Florida Voters Support Federal and State Efforts to Provide Tax Relief
The Florida Chambers poll finds a majority (57%) of Floridians support efforts in Washington, D.C. to extend the 2017 Trump tax cuts, which otherwise are set to expire. This effort is supported by 87% of Republicans, 55%
By Bethany Blankley The Center Square
of NPA’s, and even 23% of Democrats.
At the state level, the Florida Chamber’s poll finds that efforts to repeal the Florida-only Business Rent Tax, taxation on the sales on commercial leases, also enjoys majority support. 53% of Floridians polled support the elimination of the Business Rent Tax, including a majority of Republican and NPA voters.
“With all Florida has done right, opportunities remain at the state level to make our tax environment even more competitive,” said Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “Most notably, the state should eliminate the business rent tax or sales tax on commercial leases, which places Florida businesses at a disadvantage compared to businesses in every other state. The Florida Chamber has been working for nearly a decade to reduce this Floridaonly tax from 6% to 2%, and hopes this is the year this burdensome tax on local businesses is repealed once and for all.”
Historic Lawsuit Abuse Reform Remains Popular Among Florida Voters
In 2023, landmark lawsuit abuse reforms were passed to address the frivolous litigation problem in Florida. Two years later, Floridians continue to strongly support the lawsuit abuse reforms passed. Only 15% of voters polled believe the lawsuit abuse reforms went too far. Additionally, a plurality of Florida voters polled are supportive
of additional efforts to rein in frivolous litigation in Florida.
A majority of Florida voters believe personal injury trial lawyers who advertise on billboards and television are more interested in making money than in protecting the rights of people. Only 10% of voters polled believe the personal injury trial lawyers who advertise on billboards and television are more interested in protecting the rights of people, while 75% say they are more interested in making money, including 84% of Republicans and 71% of NPA’s. Support for Adult Personal Use of Marijuana Lower than on 2024 Election Day: Continues to Fall Short of 60% Requirement for Passage
The Florida Chamber’s poll also found fewer Florida voters support legalizing recreational marijuana (53%), than a similar recreational marijuana legalization effort achieved at the ballot box in November (56%). This is the seventh consecutive poll from the Florida Chamber indicating this potential amendment remains short of the 60% threshold required for passage. The lack of support from Floridians over the past two years comes despite more than $150 million being spent to try and pass the amendment during the 2024 election along with an additional $20 million attempting to revive this amendment for 2026— over $165 million of which came from Florida’s largest medicinal marijuana seller. This failure to build momentum for the amendment in
polling displays that the more voters learn about legalizing recreational marijuana, the less high on legalizing weed they become.
Generic Ballot in Line with 2024 Election as We Look Ahead to 2026
While the 2026 general election is nearly a year and a half away, the Florida Chamber’s latest poll shows an early indication that the strong support Republicans saw in the 2022 and 2024 general elections has yet to dissipate amongst the Florida electorate. When asked which party voters are likely to support in 2026, 50% of Floridians indicated their vote would be for a Republican candidate compared to 40% who would support a generic Democratic candidate. This 10-point advantage for Republicans is consistent with how Floridians have voted in the last two general elections, when President Trump and Governor DeSantis won by double digits.
Republicans Continue to Dominate Voter Registration in Florida with a 1.2 Million Voter Advantage Republicans continued to expand their registration lead over Democrats since the last publicly released Florida Chamber poll. The most recent voter registration update from the Florida Division of Elections shows Republicans hold a statewide advantage of 1,210,821 active voters over Democrats. As of March 31, 2025, Florida had 5,635,605 registered Republicans compared to 4,424,784
registered Democrats and 4,119,405 registered as NPAs, or members of minor parties. This gives Republicans a lead of more than 8% of all registered voters over Democrats in Florida. Since the 2022 general election, Republicans have increased their share of the active electorate in all 67 counties, while Democrats have lost registration share in all 67 counties over the same time period.
Florida Chamber Voter Education and Recruiting Initiatives
Looking ahead to the 2026 Election, the Florida Chamber will continue to lead the business community’s efforts to recruit and elect better candidates through the Florida Free Enterprise Fund, Florida Chamber Political Institute and the Florida Institute for Political Leadership. For more information about these initiatives, contact the Florida Chamber’s Executive Vice President of Government & Political Relations, Frank Walker, at fwalker@flchamber.com.
ABOUT THIS POLL: The Florida Chamber of Commerce political poll was conducted on May 2–10, 2025, by Cherry Communications during live telephone interviews of likely voters and has a margin of error of +/- 4 percent. The sample size included 218 Democrats, 264 Republicans, and 123 others for a total of 605 respondents statewide.
Sen. Cruz Introduces Universal School Choice Act
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on Tuesday introduced a federal Universal School Choice Act.
The proposal would allocate up to $10 billion annually in dollar-fordollar federal tax credits for individuals and businesses nationwide that contribute to nonprofit scholarship granting organizations for elementary and secondary education.
“School choice is the civil rights issue of the 21st century,” Cruz, R-Texas, said. “Every child in America deserves access to a quality education that meets their individual needs, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, or zip code. I remain committed to leading this fight until universal school choice has become available to every American, and I call upon my colleagues to expeditiously take up and advance this legislation.”
The bill would amend the Inter-
Biden Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer
Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an "aggressive form" of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, his office said in a statement on Sunday (May 18). According to the statement, Biden was diagnosed with "prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone." The statement noted that while this is a "more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management."
"The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians," his office said.
Biden was evaluated after a small nodule was found in the prostate, which necessitated further evaluation, his office said last week.
"Cancer touches us all," Biden said in a tweet Monday morning. "Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support."
nal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a tax credit for charitable donations to nonprofit organizations providing education scholarships to qualified elementary and secondary students for qualified expenses. The tax credit for individuals is 10% of adjusted gross income for a taxable year or $5,000, according to the bill language. For corporations, the tax credit is capped at 5% of taxable income for a taxable year, according to the bill language.
Qualified elementary or secondary education expenses include tuition and fees, curriculum and materials, books or instructional materials, online education materials, tutoring costs, test fees, fees for dual enrollment at higher education institutions, education therapies for disabled students, transportation costs, homeschooling expenses, among others.
The bill would go into effect in 2026, if it passes both chambers and is signed into law. It would allocate $10 billion for calendar year 2026 and each subsequent year. Money is allocated to
Pope Leo’s First Mass
states with 80% of the funds designated for families with incomes below the poverty line. Funds are allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Companion legislation was introduced by U.S. House Republican Reps. Burgess Owens of Utah and Byron Donalds of Florida.
The bill is the latest among several Cruz filed that prioritize education, savings and taxes.
In January, Cruz introduced the Student Empowerment Act to expand a tax-deferred education savings plan previously expanded under the first Trump administration, The Center Square reported. It amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permit kindergarten through grade 12 educational expenses to be paid from a 529 account. A 529 account is a taxadvantaged savings account originally created as a way to help parents save money to cover colleges expenses. It allows for tax-exempt withdrawals at the federal level and in some states for qualified education expenses.
National News Briefs
An estimated 200,000 onlookers flocked to the Vatican on Sunday (May 18) to hear newly installed Pope Leo XIV preside over his first Mass. The pontiff’s first homily called for unity and openness from the church and its nearly 1.4 billion members.
Born Robert Prevost, the 69-year-old Chicago native became the first US citizen to become pope after being selected to succeed Pope Francis earlier this month.
While popes often oversee Sunday service (and other private and public ceremonies), Pope Leo's inaugural Mass was attended by a number of world dignitaries, including Vice President JD Vance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Britain's Prince Edward.
He was also presented with two symbolic items. The first is a fisherman's ring, honoring St. Peter and reflecting the call to evangelism; the second is a pallium, a strip of lamb's wool representing the role of a "shepherd" of the church's flock.
Over 80% of Metro Areas Posted Home Price Increases in First Quarter of 2025
More than 80% of metro markets (189 out of 228, or 83%) registered home price gains in the first quarter of 2025, as the 30-year fixed mortgage rate ranged from 6.63% to 7.04%, according to the National Association of REALTORS®' latest quarterly report. Eleven percent of the 228 tracked metro areas recorded double-digit price gains over the same period, down from 14% in the fourth quarter of 2024.
"Most metro markets continue to set new record highs for home prices," said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. "In the first quarter, the Northeast performed best in both sales and price gains by percentage. Despite the stronger job additions, the South lagged with declining sales and virtually no price appreciation."
Compared to one year ago, the national median singlefamily existing-home price grew 3.4% to $402,300. In the prior quarter, the year-overyear national median price increased 4.8%.
Among the major U.S. regions, the South registered the largest share of existing-home sales (44.9%) in the first quarter, with year-over-year price appreciation of 1.3%. Prices
“It was at the time and remains the most far-reaching federal school choice legislation ever passed,” according to Cruz’s office.
In April, he filed a bill to create Education Savings Accounts for the children of active-duty service members, The Center Square reported. It would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow parents of eligible military-dependent children to establish Military Education Savings Accounts.
Earlier this month, Cruz introduced the Universal Savings Account Act to allow American families to save without the restrictions and penalties associated with traditional tax advantaged accounts. He also introduced a bill authorizing the use of taxpayer funds to be used to invest in savings accounts for U.S. children. This proposal was incorporated into the “big beautiful budget bill” that just passed the House Budget Committee.
also increased 10.3% in the Northeast, 5.2% in the Midwest and 4.1% in the West.
Moody’s Lowers U.S. Credit Rating
The US lost its last perfect credit rating Friday (May 16), with Moody’s downgrading US debt one notch, from an Aaa rating to Aa1. The decision— over the rising US deficit, increased interest payment ratios, and sluggish growth— ends the country’s perfect Moody’s credit rating, in place since 1917.
Moody’s said it expects federal debt to jump from 98% of the US gross domestic product last year to 134% by 2035, with the deficit expected to jump to nearly 9% of GDP.
The company said the decade-plus-long increase in the deficit and interest payment ratios exceeds metrics from similar countries. The decision signals increased risk for US bond investors and could drive higher borrowing costs as investors may require a higher yield to buy US Treasury debt.
Moody’s is the last major credit rating agency to have granted the US a perfect rating after Fitch downgraded the US in 2023 and S&P Global did so in 2011.
Birthright Citizenship
The Supreme Court appeared undecided on whether lower courts can implement nationwide—rather than more limited—injunctions on presidential orders. The case stems from President Donald Trump’s January executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship, which has been blocked nationwide by three federal lower court judges. Birthright citizenship offers full legal rights to anyone born in the US regardless of immigration status. It has been the legal precedent in the US since the passage of the 14th Amendment in 1868. The administration argues this practice does not include children born to parents in the country without legal status and claims it incentivizes unauthorized migration. Critics of the administration say overturning the practice would create a second-class group of noncitizens in the US.
The justices debated whether universal injunctions— whose use by lower courts has increased significantly in the last decade—could be replaced by class-action lawsuits, which require more stringent review. A decision is expected this summer.
Leon County April Unemployment Rate Down, Workforce Shrinks
The latest jobs report shows the Leon County April unemployment rate dropped to 3.5% due to a decrease in the number of people looking for work.
The March unemployment rate was 3.8%.
The number of jobs in Leon County decreased in April by 402 when compared to the March jobs report. There were 161,505 people working in Leon County in April compared to February’s revised employment number of 161,907.
The size of the workforce also decreased in April. There were 167,402 people in the work -
force in April, down 827 from the 168,229 reported in March.
Year Over Year Comparisons
The Leon County Jobs Report, provided below, shows the number of people working in April 2025 was 616 more than in April 2024. The March labor force – those looking for jobs – came in at 167,402 which was 1,636 more than the number reported one year ago.
The April unemployment rate of 3.5% is up from the 2.9% reported one year ago.
The chart to the right shows the monthly level of jobs in Leon County over the last 37 months with a 12-month average trend line. The highlighted numbers relate to employment levels for the month of April back to 2022.
Airport Traffic Down in April
The latest information from the Tallahassee International Airport shows the April 2025 passenger traffic decreased 1.0% when compared to traffic one year ago. The number of passengers was down 806 from the 80,229 reported during April 2024 to 79,423 in April 2025.
The calendar year-to-date comparison, January through April, shows passenger traffic is down 1.61% in 2025 when compared to 2024.
Relative to 2024, the Passenger Traffic Report shows year-over-year passenger counts in April were down 4.9% for American Airlines, up 11.7% for the Delta Group and up 96.7% for Silver Airways.
Jet Blue ended service in November 2024.
The graph to the right shows the annualized number of passengers for the last 37-months. The highlighted numbers on the graph indicate the annual
traffic during the month of November over the last four years.
The annual rate of passengers at TIA in April 2025 – 959,700 – is up 6.99% when compared to one year ago (897,031). The annualized number of passengers is calculated by summing the previous 12 months of traffic.
April Passenger Traffic Report
Nov-24
The table above lists the most recent single family home sales in the Bull Run neighborhood. The sales information is from the Leon County Property Appraiser.
Located at the intersection of Thomasville Road and Kerry Forest Parkway, just 7 miles north of downtown Tallahassee, Bull Run is a thoughtfully planned neighborhood on 428 acres of gentle rolling hills in northern Leon County.
The table above lists 15 recent transactions with sale prices ranging from a low of $435,000 to a high of $709,900. The average sales price for these transactions was calculat -
Reviewing another popular measure of home value, the dollar per square foot ($/SqFt) shows a range starting with a low of 202.6 $/SqFt to a high of 269.2 $/SqFt. The average $Sq/Ft was calculated to be 232.9$/SqFt. Current homes listed for sale in Bull Run range from $450,000 to $819,000. For more information on real estate sales in Leon county and overall economic conditions, visit TallahasseeReports.com.
High School Sports
Lincoln Baseball Season Ends with State Semifinal Loss
By Robert Stewart
The Lincoln baseball team (24-10) played a three-game series against top seeded Niceville (28-6) in the 5A Regional 1 finals on May 7, May 8 and May 10. After a close loss for the Trojans in the first game, Lincoln finished the series with two straight wins advancing to the state semifinals where they would lose to Wesley Chapel on May 15th.
Regional Final
The first game of the series was the closest out of the three, with Niceville beating Lincoln 1-0. The Eagles only run come in the 5th inning. Despite having nine hits in the first game, the Trojans could not produce any runs, which would change for the better in the rest of the series. After a nine-hit, scoreless start to the series, the Trojans found their rhythm, converting hits into crucial runs in the next two games.
Lincoln started the second game off strong with four runs in the first inning. The Trojans would hold this lead until the third inning when Niceville put three runs on the scoreboard making it 4-3 favoring the Trojans heading into the fourth inning. Lincoln kept Niceville scoreless for the rest of the game win-
ning 5-3 and tying the series up at 1-1, forcing a third game.
Notable Lincoln performances for this game included Cody Garber (Jr.) with one hit, one run and 2 RBI's and pitcher Chase Fuller (So.) who had six strikeouts on 11 batters faced and a OBA (Opponent Batting Average) of .182.
Lincoln was quick to get an advantage over Niceville in the last game going up 7-0 in the first three innings. Trying to mount a comeback, Niceville put three runs on the board in the fifth inning. Although their lead diminished, the Trojans responded with a five run inning in the sixth closing the game out with a final score of 12-3.
Notable performances from the Trojans include Lucas Cannady (Jr.) with three runs, two hits and three RBI's and Chase Fuller with one homerun, three runs and one RBI.
After their regional final win, Lincoln advanced to the state semifinals game against Wesley Chapel on May 15th. The Trojans' 2025 season came to an end as they lost to the Wildcats with a final score of 7-2.
North Florida Christian Softball State Run Comes to an End in State Semifinals
By Robert Stewart
On May 15, the North Florida Christian (NFC) softball team (16-9) beat top seeded University Christian (19-5) in the FHSAA 1A Regional finals to advance to the state semifinals.
NFC started the game off with a tworun inning in the first and maintained a 2-0 lead up until the third inning. The Eagles used the third inning to pull away from University Christian, scoring seven runs and only allowing one run, heading into the fourth inning with a score of 8-1. University Christian tried to mount a comeback scoring multiple runs in the next three innings but ultimately could not get out of the hole they dug in the third inning, resulting in an NFC win with a final score of 11-8.
Notable performances from NFC on offense include Skylar Young (Jr.) with three runs scored and a batting average of .333, Gabrielle Hughes (Sr.) with two RBI's, two runs and two hits, and Madison Travis (Jr.) with one run, two
hits and two RBIs. Notable players on defense for NFC include pitcher Skylar Young with three strikeouts on 20 batters faced and pitcher Gabrielle Hughes with three strikeouts on 17 batters faced. NFC's successful softball season came to an end on May 20th as they lost to top seeded Evangelical Christian with a final score of 13-0.
Jake Atwood (Lawton Chiles High School) stands atop of the podium during the medal ceremony for the 5A discuss event.
