Florida homeowners want property tax relief. But could lowering one tax make rent more expensive and put local services under pressure?

What happens when counties lose millions in revenue—and who ends up paying the difference?

On this episode of Direct with Dana, host Dana Brooks sits down with former Leon County Commissioner Brian Desloge to examine Florida's proposed Amendment 3 and its potential impact on homeowners, renters, businesses, and local communities.

Brian draws on his experience in county government to explain how the proposed homestead exemption increase could affect local budgets. He discusses a projected $70 million annual revenue loss for Leon County, possible changes to property tax rates, and concerns about funding for first responders, parks, libraries, and animal shelters.

Dana challenges Brian with the questions everyday Floridians are asking: Why can't government simply spend less? Why should homeowners pay for services they don't use? And could property tax relief end up shifting costs to renters and businesses?

In this episode:

• How the proposed property tax amendment works
• Why homestead and non-homestead properties matter
• The potential impact on rent and commercial property
• How counties fund emergency services and public facilities
• Whether local governments can cut spending instead
• Alternative approaches to property tax reform
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The discussion also explores Florida's property insurance challenges and the importance of understanding local budget impacts before making decisions at the ballot box.

Have a question about Florida property taxes? Share it with us!

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#DirectWithDana #FloridaPropertyTaxes #Amendment3 #PropertyTaxRelief #FloridaHomeowners #FloridaRealEstate #HomesteadExemption #LocalGovernment

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American politics feels angrier, louder, and more divided—but did voters actually become more extreme?

Dana Brooks sits down with longtime political insider Steve Burtman to talk about what happened to the political middle and whether our parties still represent everyday Americans.

Steve, president of the Capital City Tiger Bay Club, brings decades of experience in Florida politics, government affairs, business, and advocacy to a wide-ranging conversation about the changing Republican and Democratic parties.

Dana and Steve dig into political polarization, MAGA and the changing GOP, the progressive movement on the left, why outrage gets rewarded, the influence of PAC money, third-party politics, immigration, political discourse, and why so many moderate voters feel politically homeless. They also discuss whether people are actually nastier than they used to be—or whether social media simply gives our worst political instincts a bigger microphone. And they explore why organizations like Tiger Bay could help bring people back into face-to-face political conversations.

If you're tired of political shouting matches and want a smarter conversation about where American politics is headed, this episode is for you.

Keywords: American politics, political polarization, Democratic Party, Republican Party, MAGA, moderate voters, independent voters, third party politics, Florida politics, Tallahassee politics, PAC money, elections, political discourse, Capital City Tiger Bay Club

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Gary explains his unconventional journey from baseball at Florida State to live television, elected office, The Usual Suspects, award-winning production, and the advertising strategy he developed with Fasig | Brooks. He shares why “the camera believes you or it doesn’t,” why quiet messaging can cut through a noisy marketplace, and why getting consumers to know, like, and trust you can matter more than shouting about results.

Dana and Gary also get personal about his son Zachary and the profound impact he had on Gary’s life and creative perspective. Then they dive into today’s political landscape: the power of moderate voters, the rise of political extremes, why negative campaigning works, and Gary’s once-controversial idea to combine Leon and Wakulla counties.

Topics include Tallahassee politics, political campaigns, advertising strategy, personal injury law marketing, storytelling, media production, Emmy-winning work, writing, authenticity, and building consumer trust.

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Greg Tish is usually the one asking the questions. This time, Dana Brooks puts him in the hot seat.

On this episode of Direct with Dana, Greg opens up about growing up in Tallahassee, his unexpected path from DJing to radio, nearly two decades with the Florida Sheriffs Association, and the leap that ultimately led to The Greg Tish Show. He and Dana also dig into why hyper-local radio matters, “outrage fatigue,” the Tallahassee people underestimate, and why there’s a lot more happening in this city than critics think.

Then the conversation gets personal. Greg talks candidly about shyness, insecurity, relationships, learning to say no, walking away from alcohol, getting older, and the legacy he hopes his generation leaves behind in Tallahassee.

If you enjoy honest conversations with the people shaping our community, subscribe to Direct with Dana, follow the show, and share this episode with someone who loves Tallahassee.

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Jimmy Fasig went from the top of his law school class to drug trafficking, prison, and a felony conviction. Then he set a goal almost everyone around him thought was impossible: become a lawyer and a partner in a law firm.

On this episode of Direct with Dana, Dana Brooks sits down with her law partner of 18 years for a candid conversation about Jimmy’s extraordinary comeback. He shares how one trip to Amsterdam sent his life down a dark path, why getting arrested ultimately saved him, and how he spent years building the case that he deserved a second chance.

Jimmy also opens up about resilience, goal setting, success, risk-taking, losing friends, local fame, family, and the philosophy behind “Come Back Stronger.” Plus, Dana and Jimmy get candid about what they’ve learned from each other after nearly two decades as law partners.

Whether you’re rebuilding after a setback, pursuing an impossible goal, interested in the legal profession, or looking for a different perspective on success and personal growth, this conversation is proof that your worst chapter doesn’t have to be your last.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who decides what becomes news and how do you know who to trust?

Dana Brooks sits down with Tallahassee Reports founder Steve Stewart for a candid conversation about media bias, credibility, politics, and Tallahassee’s future.

Steve explains how Tallahassee Reports evolved from a watchdog blog into a community newspaper, why he believes every news organization has some form of bias, and why consumers should look beyond the messenger and examine the facts.

Dana and Steve also dig into advertising and editorial independence, the changing role of legacy media, local political divisions, Tallahassee’s job market, private-sector growth, housing and migration into surrounding counties, and the debate over what may be holding the local economy back.

It’s a wide-ranging conversation about journalism, accountability, economic development, leadership, and what Tallahassee could become next.

Topics include: Tallahassee news, media bias, local journalism, Tallahassee Reports, local politics, Tallahassee economy, jobs, business growth, Leon County, housing, economic development, FSU, local leadership, and consumer trust in media.

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Is Tallahassee living up to its potential—or falling behind?

Former Tallahassee Democrat publisher Skip Foster joins Dana Brooks for an honest conversation about economic development, bureaucracy, journalism, affordable housing, and why Florida's capital isn't experiencing the same growth as the rest of the state.

They discuss:

• Why Tallahassee's economy has stalled
• The biggest barriers to business growth
• How permitting and bureaucracy impact development
• Affordable housing and zoning reform
• The role of local leadership
• Journalism vs. advocacy in today's media
• What Austin did differently—and what Tallahassee can learn
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If you care about Tallahassee's future, local politics, business growth, economic development, entrepreneurship, or community leadership, this is a conversation you don't want to miss.

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