About the Author: Derek Gilliam | Suncoast Searchlight
Lights may dim on casinos in Manatee after county finalizes ordinance
Manatee County commissioners have finalized the details of an ordinance to crack down on illegal gambling dens a little more than a year after Suncoast Searchlight and the Bradenton Herald published an investigation that [...]
Sarasota, Manatee voters deal a blow to grassroots candidates in primary
Voters across the Suncoast dealt a blow to grassroots challengers Tuesday night, while rewarding the establishment-backed candidates — including some who campaigned as outsiders themselves. With few exceptions, the results marked a staggering reversal [...]
Can Manatee County’s anti-development wave strike again?
Two years ago, Manatee County voters did something rare in modern politics when they rejected the candidates who spent the most money. That included races for school board, supervisor of elections and most notably [...]
Manatee County approves return of $2.5 million to schools after tax dispute
The School District of Manatee County will receive all of the funds collected from a voter-approved property tax after county commissioners agreed Tuesday to reimburse local schools more than $2.5 million that had been [...]
Lawyer fights Live Local bid to hold Sarasota commissioners personally liable
A developer has filed additional claims in a civil lawsuit against Sarasota County, now attempting to hold county commissioners personally liable for blocking an apartment project proposed under Florida’s Live Local Law. The decision [...]
Suncoast lawmakers hollowed out home rule. Do voters care?
On a late afternoon in May, Sarasota County’s statehouse liaison explained to a group of residents how a controversial state law required county staff to approve large apartment projects despite heavy opposition. It was [...]
Commission chair seeks to return $2.5 million to Manatee County Schools
Manatee County Commission Chairman Tal Siddique aims to resolve a simmering dispute by directing county administrators to reimburse Manatee County Schools more than $2.5 million that had been withheld to cover tax collection fees. [...]
School tax fix set to become law highlights different local approaches, outcomes
Sarasota County Schools clawed back more than $2 million that the county tax collector withheld as fees for collecting a voter-approved school tax. But other school districts, including Sarasota’s neighbor to the north, have [...]
District names new Riverview High principal following school allegations
Sarasota County Schools has moved the principal of Riverview High School into a district-level position amid controversy over a third-party review that alleged both school and district leaders mishandled complaints of teacher misconduct at [...]
Sarasota Schools overhauls HR after Riverview High investigation
Sarasota County Schools is restructuring its human resources department after a third-party investigation found leadership at Riverview High School and district investigators mishandled complaints of cheating, sexual harassment and misuse of school resources. The [...]
Sarasota County sued over efforts to block Live Local projects
Sarasota County's attempt to stop thousands of apartments from being built in rural communities is now facing the legal challenge the county attorney warned was likely all along. Two developers and a church have [...]
DeSantis tax plan could cost Suncoast counties $380 million in 2 years
Local government officials are pushing back on a plan by Gov. Ron DeSantis to eliminate property taxes for many Floridians, saying the sweeping cuts would cripple basic services that range from classrooms to hospitals [...]
