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No state has yet eliminated property taxes and in Florida they are the biggest source of dollars for 51 of 67 counties and almost half of the state’s 411 cities.With Florida lawmakers now in overtime trying to settle a state budget, the prime source of financing for many cities and counties could soon be headed for the chopping block.In whatever budget deal is decided by the Legislature, Gov. Ron DeSantis wants included some kind of commitment to rolling back property taxes – now or through a ballot question put before...

AAA expecting busy Memorial Day weekend for travelOfficials with AAA believe over 45 million people will travel at least 50 miles from their homes for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.Fox - 10 PhoenixAmericans will soon celebrate Memorial Day, but what will be open or closed during the holiday?Here's what we know about banks, the stock market, USPS mail delivery and more on Memorial Day:When is Memorial Day 2025? What date is Memorial Day this year?Memorial Day is on Monday, May 26, 2025.Will banks be open on Memorial Day, May 26,...

Dave Williams  |  Capitol Beat News ServiceReal estate investor headed to prison in Atlanta fraud schemeBy Dave WilliamsBureau ChiefCapitol Beat News ServiceATLANTA - The head of a commercial real estate investment firm has been sentenced to 87 months in prison and ordered to pay $45 million in restitution in a fraud scheme involving the Atlanta Financial Center in Buckhead.Elchonon (Elie) Schwartz, 46, of New York City pleaded guilty in February to one count of wire fraud. Schwartz convinced more than 800 investors to send him $62.8 million, including $54 million...

Daedo Kim and Jaehyun Eom  |  BloombergThe dollar erased this week’s gains on fresh speculation President Donald Trump favors a weaker greenback and will prod other governments to let their currencies rise in return for trade deals with the US.The US currency extended an earlier decline on Wednesday after a Bloomberg News report that South Korea and US officials discussed exchange rate policies at a May 5 meeting in Milan and will continue to do so.The won rose nearly 2% and the Japanese yen also climbed, helping to push the...

Sterling Heights — The city of Sterling Heights will start rolling out investments that are part of a new millage to preserve open space, fix sidewalks and plant trees in the upcoming fiscal year in its new budget, which starts July 1.The $319.9 million budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year is the first with funds from the city's new Pathway to Play and Preservation millage that voters approved in November. It includes funds to purchase some land to preserve open space; repair and replace thousands of sidewalks; plant 1,600 trees; and...

FBI opens investigation into NY Attorney General Letitia JamesThe Department of Justice opened an investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James, multiple news outlets reported.WASHINGTON — The Department of Justice has opened up an investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James over real estate transactions, multiple news outlets reported.The FBI investigation is tied to loans and property purchases in New York City and Virginia, the Albany Times Union, Guardian and Washington Post reported on May 8.President Donald Trump has frequently attacked James since she won a $454 million...

Aerial video along the Swannanoa River reveals the wrath of Tropical Storm HeleneAerial video along the Swannanoa River between Black Mountain and Asheville reveals the devastation of Tropical Storm Helene.Buncombe County’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 includes a 3.26-cent property tax increase to offset revenue shortfalls in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene.The budget prioritizes essential services, including $122 million for education, though still short requests from Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools.ASHEVILLE – Described as a “break-even budget” focused on essential government services and recovery in the...

Reno redevelopment agency approves GSR arena project TIF contractReno's redevelopment agency voted 5-2 to approve the GSR arena project's tax-increment financing contract.The Reno redevelopment agency, which is made up of the city council members, voted in 5-2 to approve the tax-incremental financing contract with the Grand Sierra Resort’s phase one arena project.The deal would require GSR to be reimbursed 90% of its property tax, while the redevelopment agency would keep 10% of the property taxes. It sunsets in 2035.GSR owner Alex Meruelo said he would give the lease to the...