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This November, Floridians will vote on Amendment 3, a constitutional amendment that would put homestead property taxes on a path to elimination. You've probably heard a lot about it already, but here's what you should really know:

America turned 250 this year. That's worth celebrating. It's also a good moment to look at Florida's part in the story. When the Founders were signing the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, Florida was a British colony, and would remain so until 1783. It didn't join the United States until 1821. Which means Florida had long before there was a country to celebrate.

It's Sunday morning in Clermont. Coffee on the sidewalk. Kids on bikes weaving between the farmers market tents. An old brick building on the corner that has been there longer than anyone standing in front of it. Maybe for you it's Naples after dinner, when the shops are still open and the light is going soft. Maybe it's downtown Panama City, or Stuart, or a three-block stretch of your own hometown that you did not realize you loved until someone came to visit.

If you've been to a strawberry festival in Florida, you know the feeling. You're walking past food stands, live music, and rows of local vendors. There's a parade down the street, a livestock show around the corner, and somewhere nearby a plate of strawberry shortcake you did not plan on eating.

Local government is designed to be open, transparent, and accessible to the public. From how decisions are made to how policies take shape, there are many ways to stay informed and engaged. Local Government 101 brings that information together in one place.

Florida’s legislative session is nearly underway, and lawmakers are once again debating how housing works in our neighborhoods. One proposal sounds harmless on its face, but the details tell a very different story.

There’s a reason people keep moving to Florida—and it’s not just the beaches. It’s the balance. Our state keeps taxes low and delivers the services people count on: safe neighborhoods, strong schools, clean water, and responsive emergency services.

There’s a reason people keep moving to Florida—and it’s not just the beaches. It’s the balance. Our state keeps taxes low and delivers the services people count on: safe neighborhoods, strong schools, clean water, and responsive emergency services.

What makes a hidden gem? It’s the place where your shoes gather dirt on a trail no tourist guidebook mentions. Where the pace is slower, the flavors are local, and the people feel like neighbors.