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

Big Tech Takes Florida. Plus, Amazon Jobs, Lincoln Park, and Who Really Benefits | Welcome to Sunland

Ja'Min from Sunland News and Robin from Martin County Press follow up on last week’s episode. They talk about big tech coming to Florida and HB 203 (property tax revision) and how it relates to budgets. They also talk about HB 691 (agricultural development), agricultural land purchases, some comments from viewers, and what to expect next week!  TOPICS: Big Tech moving in to Florida Jobs moving to Florida  HB 203: A recap and more info Balanced budgets  Why planning matters  Shout outs to good reporting Home Rule and HB 691: State approval bypasses local zoning Email us at Hello@SunlandNews.com LINKS: HB 691 Full Text: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/691 HB 203 Text: https://www.flhouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=82728 HB 203 Breakdown (Martin County Press): https://martincountypress.com/2026/02/20/hb203-what-to-know/ FAM Jam in Port St Lucie:  https://visitstlucie.com/event/fam-jam/ FOLLOW: Sunland News: sunlandnews.com Martin County Press: martincountypress.com Instagram: @sunlandnews New episodes weekly.

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 New episodes weekly.

Welcome to Sunland Podcast - Episode 1

Welcome to Sunland - Episode 1 Ja'Min from Sunland News and Robin from Martin County Press break down local news across St. Lucie and Martin Counties. This week: Fort Pierce declares beach emergency as erosion threatens A1A. Robin investigates a Stuart city employee living rent-free in a government building. Brightline station pushed to 2029. Teacher vacancies surge 753% in St. Lucie schools. Plus: Why we're starting this show, upcoming events, and what's making us happy this week. New episodes weekly.