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.

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 - 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.