THIS THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS COMING UP AS MORE COUNTIES PUSH THE PAUSE BUTTON ON POTENTIAL DATA CENTERS, SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS APPEAR TO BE SPENDING BIG MONEY TO GAIN FAVOR TO BRING MASSIVE DATA CENTERS TO THE STATE.

OLD RAILROAD TRACKS COULD BE TRANSFORMED INTO A SPRAWLING OUTDOOR GREEN PATH.

HOW THE FUTURE OF THE RAIL TRAIL PROJECT COULD BE DETERMINED IN THE UPCOMING ELECTION.

BUT BEFORE YOU HEAD TO THE POLLS, WE'RE BREAKING DOWN EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FROM BALLOT MEASURES TO NON-PARTISAN RACES.

WE'RE GETTING YOU THE INFORMATION YOU NEED PRIOR TO CASTING YOUR VOTE.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AS FLORIDA PREPARES FOR THE PRIMARY, THE FUTURE OF DATA CENTERS REMAINS A FOCUS OF POLITICAL DEBATE AMONG CANDIDATES AND VOTERS.

SOME COUNTY LEADERS ACROSS THE SUNSHINE STATE HAVE ALREADY PASSED MORATORIUMS OR OUTRIGHT BANS ON CONSTRUCTION OF NEW DATA CENTERS.

A MASSIVE CENTER HAS BEEN PROPOSED IN ARCADIA RAISING ALARMS FROM RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS CONCERNS ABOUT NOISE, POLLUTION AND HIGH WATER AND ENERGY DEMANDS LEAD TO DESOTO.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PASSING A ONE YEAR MORATORIUM ON ANY NEW DATA CENTER APPLICATIONS.

HOWEVER, THE CURRENT PLANS FOR 34 ACRE FACILITY.

WE'LL CONTINUE THROUGH THE COUNTY REVIEW SYSTEM.

JOINING US NOW IS JASON GARCIA.

HE IS AN INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER AND THE PUBLISHER OF SEEKING RENTS, WHICH IS AN INDEPENDENT NEWSLETTER COVERING THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

JASON, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FROM ORLANDO TODAY.

YEAH, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

I FIRST LIKE TO ASK YOU HOW YOU GOT STARTED ON TRACKING THESE PROPOSED DATA CENTERS AND WHAT PETER INTEREST.

>> YEAH, THERE'S REALLY 2 THINGS.

ONE IS THERE WAS A A BIG DEBATE IN THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE THIS PAST SESSION ABOUT WHAT SORT OF REGULATIONS TO IMPOSE ON DATA CENTERS AND AND WHAT WE SAW HAPPENED WAS KIND OF A CLASSIC TALLAHASSEE STORY AND THAT THEY STARTED WITH A BILL THAT WAS REALLY GOING TO AGGRESSIVELY REG REGULATE DATA CENTERS AND POTENTIALLY RESTRICT WHERE AND WHEN AND HOW THESE THINGS COULD BE BUILT.

BUT BY THE TIME LEGISLATION HAD BEEN PASSING HAVE BEEN DRAMATICALLY WEAKENED TO THE POINT WHERE THE MOST ONEROUS RESTRICTIONS OF THE MOST STRICT REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE BILL.

AND SO I GET SOMEWHAT CURIOUS IS TO TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THAT HAPPENED.

AND THE SECOND PIECE OF IT WAS WHEN WE STARTED SEEING JUST HOW MUCH MONEY DATA CENTER INTERESTS WE'RE PUTTING INTO FLORIDA'S 2026 ELECTIONS AND THERE WERE 2 THAT REALLY STOOD OUT.

THERE WAS A GROUP OF BILLIONAIRE AI INVESTORS, FOLKS BEHIND THE COMPANY THAT OWNS CHATGPT ANNOUNCED THEY WERE GOING TO SPEND 5 MILLION DOLLARS ON ADVERTISEMENTS IN SUPPORT OF FIRING DONALD THE LEADING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR RIGHT NOW.

AND THEN WE SAW FLORIDA POWER LIGHT.

THE STATE'S BIGGEST UTILITY COMPANY GIVE 1 MILLION DOLLARS TO BYRON DONALDS AND FPL HAS BEEN ONE OF THE BIGGEST DATA CENTER BOOSTERS IN THE STATE.

SO AS THOSE THINGS TOGETHER THAT REALLY DREW ME INTO SORT OF LOOKING MORE INTO SIR, WHAT WAS GOING ON HERE, WHO IS PULLING THE STRINGS?

WHO ARE WHO ARE THE REAL VOICES AT THE TABLE IN THIS DEBATE?

>> NOW YOUR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING LOOKED AT SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS.

WHAT ALL DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS?

>> YEAH, WELL, A COUPLE OF THINGS LIKE AS I MENTIONED, WE FOUND OUT JUST HOW SIGNIFICANTLY THIS THIS DATA CENTER LEGISLATION HAD BEEN WEEKEND BEFORE PASO WE EAT.

YOU MAY HAVE HEARD THE GOVERNOR, GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS AND BYRON DONALDS HIMSELF TO AS HE CAMPAIGNS HAVE BEEN TOUTING THIS NEW LAW THAT THEY SAY A PRETEXT FOR FLORIDIANS FROM FROM DAYTON, AGAIN, PROTECTS QUOTE, LIKE WHEN THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THE BILL.

IT SAID PROTECTING FLORIDA CONSUMERS.

BUT WE FOUND IS IS THE LEGISLATION GOT JUST SIGNIFICANTLY WEAKENED.

SO I'LL GIVE YOU JUST A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES.

AN EARLY VERSION OF THE LEGISLATION WOULD HAVE ESSENTIALLY PROHIBITED DATA CENTER CONSTRUCTION WITHIN 5 MILES OF ANY HOME OR SCHOOL THAT WAS REMOVED FROM THE BILL.

ANOTHER PIECE OF THE BILL WOULD HAVE PROHIBITED ANY SORT OF TAX AND CENTERS TO TAX INCENTIVES FOR DATA CENTER.

DEVELOPERS THAT WAS REMOVED FROM THE BILL.

YET ANOTHER PROVISION WOULD HAVE PROHIBITED NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN DATA CENTER, DEVELOPERS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

THESE ARE WHAT MAKES IT SO HARD FOR PEOPLE IN FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO FIGURE OUT WHAT EXACTLY IS GOING ON WITH SOME OF THESE PROJECTS THAT WAS ALSO REMOVED FROM THE BILL.

THE OTHER PIECE WE LEARNED IS GOING THROUGH EARNINGS CALL TRANSCRIPTS FROM SOME OF THE COMPANIES THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THIS, PARTICULARLY AGAIN HERE, FLORIDA POWER LIGHT IS PARENT COMPANY'S NEXTERA.

ENERGY IS IS DEVELOPING A NETWORK OF OF GIGAWATTS SCALE DATA CENTER HUBS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

WE WERE IN THAT THAT FLORIDA POWER LIGHT WAS A MAJOR INFLUX LOBBYING FOR FOR LAX OR RESTRICTIONS.

BOB, BEHIND THE SCENES OF THIS BILL, EVEN THOUGH THEY NEVER TESTIFIED IN PUBLIC FPL WAS TELLING ITS INVESTORS, YOU KNOW, DON'T WORRY.

WE'RE ADVOCATING FOR SORT OF THE WEAKER REGULATIONS IN TALLAHASSEE.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO CHANGES IN LAWS, WHETHER IS AT THE COUNTY LEVEL OR THE STATE LEVEL, WHAT DO WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT POSSIBLE DATA CENTER CONSTRUCTION?

>> YEAH, PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE TO KNOW RIGHT NOW IS THAT THAT THE LAW THAT DID PASS ONE OF THE ONE OF THE GOOD PIECES THAT REMAINED IN IN IT WAS THAT IT IT FULLY EMPOWERED LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, CITIES, COUNTIES, TOWNS TO CONTROL LAND, USE DECISIONS AROUND DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT.

SO IT MAKES IT INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE ON THE GROUND WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT DATA CENTERS TO BE IN COMMUNICATION TO BE PAYING ATTENTION TO YEAR.

YOUR CITY COUNCIL IS YOUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MAKING SURE YOUR YOUR MAYORS IN YOUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

MAKE SURE YOU'RE GETTING OUT FRONT OF US.

WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF COMMUNITIES AROUND THE STATE, FOR INSTANCE, PASS MORATORIUMS ON ON DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT FOR ONE YEAR OR MORE.

AND ALSO, YOU KNOW, MAKING SURE THAT LIKE YOU'RE CHECKING IN LOCAL ELECTIONS, THE FINANCES OF YOUR CANDIDATES AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE SEEING IF THEY'RE RAISING MONEY FROM DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT INTEREST BECAUSE WE ARE SEEING THAT KIND OF MONEY.

AS I MENTIONED, FILTER INTO FLORIDA ELECTIONS.

>> DO YOU EXPECT TO SEE DATA CENTERS REMAIN A MAJOR ISSUE IN STATE POLITICS AFTER THE ELECTIONS?

>> YEAH, I THINK FOR SURE.

SO IT'S ALREADY BECOME KIND OF A TOP TIER ISSUE IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE IN A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES OF THAT IS JUST RECENTLY.

DAVID JOLLY, AS OF RIGHT NOW IS PROBABLY THE FAVORITE TO WIN THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION FOR GOVERNOR.

HE'S NOW IS CALLING FOR A STATEWIDE MORATORIUM ON DATA CENTER.

CONSTRUCTION.

WHERE'S BYRON DONALDS?

THE IT WAS VERY LIKELY TO WIN THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION FOR GOVERNOR.

HE OPPOSES A DATA CENTER MORE TERMS.

THAT'S LIKE A VERY CLEAR DIVIDING LINE IN THE GOVERNOR'S IT IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE ALONE.

>> AND THERE WILL INEVITABLY THE WAY THE WAY SORT OF PUBLIC INTEREST IS BUILDING AROUND THIS THE WAY SORT OF.

>> LOCAL COMMUNITIES ARE REALLY SORT OF RALLYING AGAINST DATA CENTERS AND A LOT OF SPOTS.

THERE WILL BE PRESSURE ON THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE.

THIS CUT THIS NEXT YEAR TO REVISIT SOME OF SOME OF THESE RESTRICTIONS THAT THEY THEY SORT OF LEFT ON THE CUTTING BOARD IN MIDST ART OF INDUSTRY LOT LOBBYING AGAINST THEM.

>> JASON GARCIA, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>> YES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

WE CAN FIND MORE FROM JASON GARCIA.

>> BY SEARCHING, SEEKING RENTS ONLINE.

>> COMING UP NEXT, THE BATTLE TO GET ON THE BALLOT IS BEGINNING TO HEAT UP.

CAMPAIGNING IS IN FULL SWING AND THE POLITICAL BATTLES ARE ONLY PLAYING OUT ON DEBATE STAGES.

AND IN CAMPAIGN ADS.

BUT IN THE COURTROOM AS WELL.

WGCU HOST AND REPORTER JOHN DAVIS JOINS US NOW FOR A LOOK AT SOME OF THESE LEGAL CHALLENGES AND HOW THEY COULD IMPACT WHAT VOTERS ACTUALLY SEE ON THEIR BALLOTS.

JOHN, WHAT HIGH-PROFILE LEGAL BATTLES HAVE YOU BEEN FOLLOWING?

>> SO ONE AND THIS ONE IS ACTUALLY BEEN SETTLED, INVOLVES THE CASE OF A REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR CHALLENGING ANOTHER REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR IS ELIGIBILITY TO EVEN BE ON THE BALLOT BASED ON RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS AND THE OTHER LEGAL CHALLENGE, THIS ONE IS STILL PLAYING OUT IN THE COURTS.

THIS ONE CONCERNS AMENDMENT 3 THAT VOTERS ARE GOING TO DECIDE IN NOVEMBER.

THIS IS THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSAL THAT STATE LAWMAKERS PUT ON THE BOWDEN A SPECIAL SESSION THAT IF APPROVED WOULD DRASTICALLY INCREASE THE HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION AND FLORIDA AND THE OPPONENTS IN THAT CASE ARE ARGUING THAT THE BALLOT SUMMARY, THE BALLOT LANGUAGE, WHAT VOTERS WOULD ACTUALLY SEE WHEN THEY'RE DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE GOING TO VOTE FOR OR AGAINST IT IS BIASED AND MISLEADING.

AND AGAIN, THAT ONE STILL PLAYING OUT.

IT'S INTERESTING, THOUGH, HOW PROPERTY HOMESTEAD, PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS OR KIND OF CENTRAL TO BOTH OF THESE LEGAL CASES.

HOW DOES THAT?

>> HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION COMING TO PLAY WITH THE LEGAL CHALLENGE TO A CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.

>> RIGHT.

SO IT IN THIS CASE THAT WAS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JAY COLLINS WHO WAS CHALLENGING THE ELIGIBILITY OF JAMES FISHBACK IS KIND OF BILLED HIMSELF AS LIKE THE ANTI ESTABLISHMENT REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE.

AND THAT'S VERY CROWDED.

GOP PRIMARY.

HE WAS SAYING THAT BECAUSE FLORIDA LAW REQUIRES A CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR TO HAVE ESTABLISHED AND MAINTAINED PRIMARY RESIDENCE IN FLORIDA FOR A MINIMUM OF 7 YEARS.

SO THEY WERE POINTING OUT IN COURT THAT OUR FISH BACK ACTUALLY REGISTERED TO VOTE IN WASHINGTON, D.C., IN 2020 AND HE DID VOTE THERE.

HE ALSO BOUGHT A CONDO IN DC IN 2021.

AND LISTED THAT CONDO AS HIS PRIMARY RESIDENCE AND MORTGAGE PAPERWORK.

FISHBACK HAS SAID THAT WAS A MISTAKE.

HE WAS JUST DOING A KIND OF HASTILY.

HE BOUGHT THE CONDO BECAUSE IT'S NEAR WHERE HIS PARENTS LIVE.

AND THAT WAS REALLY MORE OF AN INVESTMENT PROPERTY.

NOW, AGAIN, THE JUDGE DID ULTIMATELY DECIDE THAT COLLINS'S TEAM DIDN'T PROVE THAT FISHBACK EVER INTENDED.

DCS HAS PERMANENT RESIDENTS.

BUT IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT FISHBACK DID RECEIVE A HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX BREAK IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND THE HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION IN DC IS NOT THAT DIFFERENT FROM THE WAY IT WORKS IN FLORIDA.

IT'S NOT JUST INTENDED AS A TAX BREAK FOR ANY PROPERTY OWNER.

IT SPECIFICALLY FOR PROPERTIES THAT FUNCTION AS A PRIMARY RESIDENCE.

SO AGAIN, I WANT TO BE CLEAR, I'M NOT ACCUSING JAMES FISHBACK OF COMMITTING TAX FRAUD, BUT BECAUSE WE DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THE INTENT WAS THERE.

BUT I DO FIND IT INTERESTING THAT ALL THIS CAME OUT IN THE CASE AND WITH HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS JUST IN GENERAL LOOMING SO LARGE THIS ELECTION CYCLE, THE MORE OF HIS PRIMARY OPPONENTS HAVEN'T, YOU KNOW, REALLY JUMPED ON THAT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, EITHER HE CAN RUN FOR GOVERNOR IN FLORIDA AND HE'S ELIGIBLE.

OR THAT DC CONDO WAS HIS PRIMARY RESIDENCE.

BUT BOTH THOSE THINGS CAN BE TRUE AT THE SAME TIME AND HE DID PREVAIL IN COURT.

HE DID.

YES.

SO WHAT ABOUT THE LEGAL CHALLENGE?

>> OVER THE BALLOT LANGUAGE OF AMENDMENT 3.

>> SO IF I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO REHASH WHAT AMENDMENT 3 IS ALL ABOUT, BUT JUST VERY BRIEFLY RIGHT NOW, FLORIDA'S HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION IS $50,000.

THIS WOULD INCREMENTALLY INCREASE DOWN TO $250,000 BY 2028.

IT'S GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION BECAUSE, OF COURSE, LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICERS ARE NOT KNOWING WHERE THAT DEDICATED FUNDING IS GOING TO COME FROM TO FUND LOCAL ESSENTIAL SERVICES, BUT BASICALLY OPPONENT.

AND THERE'S ACTUALLY 2 LEGAL CHALLENGES HERE THAT HAVE BEEN CONSOLIDATED BECAUSE THEIR ARGUMENTS WERE SO SIMILAR AND THEY'RE SAYING THAT THE BALLOT LANGUAGE THAT IS GOING TO GO BEFORE VOTERS IS BIASED AND MISLEADING LIKE THE TITLE, FOR INSTANCE, IS SAVE OUR HOMES FROM EXCESSIVE PROPERTY TAXES.

I'M NOT MAKING A JUDGMENT HERE, BUT I THINK ANYBODY COULD SEE.

YOU KNOW, MAKING STATEMENTS LIKE SAVE OUR HOMES.

AND NEXT, YOU KNOW, WELL, THAT'S FOR VOTERS TO DECIDE OF WHAT YOU'RE PROPOSING WOULD DO THAT AND DECIDING THAT EXCESS OF THAT PROPERTY TAXES ARE EXPENSIVE, BUT IT'S ALSO AN INDIVIDUAL VALUE JUDGMENT.

BUT IN ORDER TO READ THIS BALLOT LANGUAGE, YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT BOTH OF THOSE THINGS BEFORE YOU EVEN GET INTO WHAT IT IS.

SO IN THIS CASE.

WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IS THAT THE JUDGE KIND OF GAVE BOTH PARTIES A DEADLINE OF THE END OF DAY MONDAY, JUST EARLIER THIS WEEK TO ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, FILE WHAT THEY'RE BASICALLY.

BUT THERE ARE CONSTITUTIONAL ARGUMENTS.

WE'RE GOING TO BE.

SO I WOULD EXPECT WE'RE GOING TO SEE A RULING IN THAT CASE PRETTY QUICKLY.

INTERESTINGLY, ONE OF THE LEGAL CHALLENGES WAS BOUGHT BROUGHT ON BY A NONPROFIT GROUP THAT WAS JUST CREATED TO OPPOSE THIS AMENDMENT.

HAVE THE OTHER ONE WAS ACTUALLY BROUGHT BY A PAIR OF FORMER LAWMAKERS, REPUBLICAN FORMER STATE SENATOR JEFF BRANDES AND DEMOCRATIC FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE BEN DIAMOND.

SO JUST INTERESTING THAT THEY'RE KIND OF HAVING A BIPARTISAN SHOWING AND THEIR OPPOSITION TO THIS.

>> AND JOHN, WHAT WOULD THE OUTCOME BE IF EITHER SIDE WINS?

>> WELL, SO IF THE STATE WINS THAN THE BALLOT LANGUAGE AS IT IS, IS WHAT MOTORS WOULD SEE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.

BUT IF THE JUDGE SIDES WITH THE PLAINTIFFS, THEN IT'S GOING TO BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO REWRITE OUR BALLOT LANGUAGE WITH ME IN MIND WITH WHAT THE COURT LISTED AS PROBLEMS WITH IT.

AND EVEN THEN FOLKS AREN'T SO CERTAIN THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WOULD PRODUCE A REVISED BALLOT LANGUAGE THAT WOULD SATISFY PLAINTIFFS.

AND IF THAT HAPPENS, THEY WOULD HAVE 10 DAYS TO FILE ANOTHER CHALLENGE.

AND THAT'S 10 DAYS OUT FROM WHEN HE WOULD ACTUALLY FILED A NEW BALLOT LANGUAGE WITH THIS DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

>> AND YOU WILL KEEP US UPDATED US ON EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

THANK YOU, JOHN DAVIS.

>> FOR MORE ON JOHN DAVIS IS REPORTING ON THE POLITICAL HAPPENINGS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA AND ACROSS THE STATE, YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE WGCU DOT ORG.

IF YOU WANT TO VOTE BY MAIL.

THE LEE COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS REMIND YOU THAT THE DEADLINE TO REQUEST A VOTE BY MAIL BALLOT IS 05:00PM AUGUST 6TH.

THOSE BALLOTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE ELECTIONS OFFICE NO LATER THAN 07:00PM ON PRIMARY DAY.

AUGUST 18TH VOTERS CHOOSING TO RETURN THEIR VOTE BY MAIL BALLOT IN PERSON.

THEY DO SO AT ANY OF THE LEE COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICES FROM 08:30AM, TO 05:00PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY OR AT EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS DURING THE EARLY VOTING PERIOD WHICH STARTS SATURDAY, AUGUST 8TH.

FOR MORE ON VOTER INFORMATION FOR THE UPCOMING PRIMARY.

I'M JOINED BY SANDY FRANK.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS IN LEE COUNTY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US IN STUDIO TODAY.

>> THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME AND GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> WHAT SHOULD VOTERS BE AWARE OF AS WE APPROACH PRIMARY DAY?

>> SO VOTERS SHOULD BE CONCERNED BECAUSE VOTING IS FUNDAMENTAL TO OUR DEMOCRACY, SAID THEY SHOULD AND BE PREPARED TO VOTE, BE INFORMED ON THE ISSUES AND THE CANDIDATES AND TO GO TO THE BALLOT BOX TO MAKE THEIR VOICES HERD AND THERE ARE 3 WAYS THAT VOTERS CAN VOTE.

THEY CAN VOTE BY MAIL THEY CAN STILL REQUEST A VOTE BY MAIL BALLOT UP UNTIL AUGUST 5TH.

THEY CAN GO TO THE POLLS DURING EARLY VOTING WHICH STARTS SATURDAY AUGUST 8TH AND CONTINUES UNTIL ON AUGUST.

15TH OR THEY CAN VOTE ON ELECTION DAY.

AND WE ENCOURAGE VOTERS TO MAKE A PLAN.

AND IF THEY HAVE A VOTE BY MAIL BALLOT, WE ENCOURAGE THAT BECAUSE IF SOMETHING HAPPENS, THEY CAN'T GET TO THE POLLS.

THEY CAN STILL MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD BY SUBMITTING THEIR VOTE BY MAIL BALLOT.

>> WHY IS THE PRIMARY SO IMPORTANT?

>> THE PRIMARY IS IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY IN LEE COUNTY BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME KEY RACES THAT WILL BE DECIDED IN THE PRIMARY.

ONE OF THEM IS ONE OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DISTRICT 5 WILL BE ELECTED IN THE ELECTION.

THE AUGUST 18TH ELECTION.

IT'S CALLED THE UNIVERSAL PRIMARY.

THERE ARE 2 CANDIDATES BOTH WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THERE IS NO WEATHER CANDIDATE RUNNING.

SO THE WINNER OF THE RACE ON AUGUST 18TH WILL BECOME THE DISTRICT 5 COMMISSIONER FOR LAKE COUNTY.

THAT'S ONE IMPORTANT RACE.

THERE ARE 4 SCHOOL BOARD RACES THAT ARE NON-PARTISAN.

SO ALL VOTERS IN THE COUNTY, REGARDLESS OF THEIR PARTY AFFILIATION, IF THERE NO PARTY AFFILIATION, DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN, THAT WILL BE ON THEIR BALLOT AND THEREFORE RACES, AT LEAST 2 OF THOSE RACES WILL BE DECIDED IN THE PRIMARY.

AND 2 OF THEM MAY GO TO THE GENERAL OR MAKE MAY BE DECIDED IN THE AUGUST 18TH ELECTION BECAUSE IF ONE OF THE CANDIDATES RECEIVES AT LEAST 50%, PLUS ONE OF THE VOTES THAN THAT IS THE END OF THE RACE.

SO THOSE ARE IMPORTANT RACES FOR LEE COUNTY.

ALSO THE THERE OTHER NON-PARTISAN ELECTIONS.

THE CITY OF CAPE CORAL HAS THE MAYOR AND THE COUNCIL RACE THERE, NUMBER OF CANADA'S AND IN EACH OF THOSE RACES, THE 2 HIGHEST VOTE-GETTERS WILL GO ON TO THE GENERAL.

BUT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO HELP SELECT TO THOSE WILL BE CAPE CORAL HAS 3 BALLOT AMENDMENTS NOW MEASURES IMPORTANT FOR THE CITY OF CAPE CORAL'S.

THOSE ALSO THE SUNS AND CAPE CORAL WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE FOR THOSE.

AND IN BONITA SPRINGS, THERE'S A VOTE ON THE BURR TRAIL TO BENITA ESTERO TRAIL AND THAT WILL BE A BOND MEASURE.

SO THOSE ARE VERY IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF LEE COUNTY AND JUST THAT WE WANT CITIZENS TO UNDERSTAND THAT THEY CAN AND SHOULD VOTE FOR THOSE WHAT IS ONE OF THE PRIMARY CONCERNS THAT YOU HAVE?

>> HAVE WITH VOTERS MAYBE NOT UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY NEED TO GET OUT AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS.

>> SO I THINK THAT VOTERS THINK THAT THIS IS JUST FOR THE PARTIES.

AND THAT'S ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE ALL VOTERS UNDERSTAND IT, THAT THERE ARE THESE NON-PARTISAN RACES AND THE UNIVERSAL PRIMARY THAT WILL AFFECT THEM.

ELECTED OFFICIALS AFFECT ALL OF US IN OUR DAILY LIVES AND WE WANT ALL VOTERS TO UNDERSTAND THAT THEY SHOULD BE INVOLVED INFORMED AND INVOLVED IN THE DECISION-MAKING FOR WHO THOSE ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE.

SO WE ALSO HAVE RESOURCES AVAILABLE SO THAT VOTERS CAN BE CONFIDENT IN MAKING THEIR CHOICES.

ONE OF THEIR RESOURCES IS VOTE FOR 1, 1 DOT ORG.

IT'S AN ONLINE VOTER GUIDE THAT PROVIDES INFORMATION ON NATIONAL STATE AND LOCAL RACES AND ALL VOTERS NEED TO DO IS TO GO TO VOTE FOR 1, 1, DOT ORG PUT IN THEIR ADDRESS AND THEY WILL FEED THE RACES THAT WILL BE ON THEIR BALLOT AT THE NATIONAL STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL AND SEE THE CANDIDATES AND WE HAVE ASKED ALL THE CANDIDATES TO RESPOND IN THEIR OWN WORDS TO A NUMBER OF ISSUES.

THIS IS BY THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, EDUCATION FUND AND THEY WILL BE ABLE TO COMPARE THE RESPONSES OF THE OF THE CANDIDATES TO EACH OTHER AND MAKE DECISIONS ON WHO BEST MEETS CONCERNS AND VIEWS.

>> ALL RIGHT, SANDY FRANK, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

SHARON IS.

>> SUPER IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

APPRECIATE IT.

PUSHING.

>> AFTER THE BREAK, THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS ARE MORE THAN JUST NOMINATING WHO'S GOING TO BE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.

THE FUTURE OF THEIR IN 2 WEEKS.

VOTERS IN BONITA SPRINGS WILL DECIDE IF THEY WANT TO RAISE THEIR PROPERTY TAXES TO PAY FOR A WALKING RUNNING AND CYCLING TRAIL.

THE REFERENDUM ON THE PRIMARY BALLOT WOULD ALLOW THE CITY TO PURCHASE THE DEFUNCT SEMINOLE GULF RAILWAY CORRIDOR AND CONVERT IT TO BE PART OF THE BONITA ESTERO RAIL TRAIL WGCUS YOUN JOO PARK REPORTS.

>> THESE OLD RAILWAY TRACKS ARE RELICS OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S HISTORY.

NEWS TRACKS ARE OVERGROWN WITH VEGETATION.

THROUGH SEVERAL DECADES OF INACTIVITY.

BUT NOW THESE FORGOTTEN RAILROAD TRACKS ARE THE CENTER OF PUBLIC FOCUS.

THIS ATTENTION WILL REACH AN APEX ON AUGUST 18 WHEN THE FATE OF THE UNUSED TO RAILWAY CORRIDOR WILL BE DECIDED AT THE POLLS BY RESIDENTS OF BENITA SPRINGS.

THE PROJECT IS CALLED BURT IN THE STANDS FOR THE BONITA'S ESTERO RAIL TRAIL.

THIS RAILWAY CORRIDOR SPANS OVER 11 MILES.

THE BIRDS PROPOSAL ENTAILS BUYING THE REAL PROPERTY AND CONVERTING IT INTO TRAILS FOR PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLISTS HERE'S TUCH HAD AWAY CONSERVATION DIRECTOR FOR THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND >> WE NEED A STILL REAL THRILL.

KORDA WILL PROVIDE A SAFER, DEDICATED SPACE FOR CYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS IN CHILDREN SO THAT THEY CAN USE IT SAFELY AND GET TO WHERE THEY'RE GOING.

THE COST OF THE LAND PURCHASE.

>> 60 MILLION DOLLARS TOTAL FOR PHASE ONE OF ACQUISITION.

THE LION SHARE OR 48% OF THE COST WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF BONITA SPRINGS RESIDENCE.

AND A YES VOTE ON AUGUST.

18TH WILL MEAN THAT PEOPLE AGREE TO PAYING 35 MILLION DOLLAR BOND OVER THE NEXT 30 YEARS.

MAYOR MIKE GIBSON AT BONITA SPRINGS SAYS THE COST FOR INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNERS, WHICH BE MINIMAL.

SO FOR THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD, IT WOULD BE.

>> JUST SHY OF $60 A YEAR VOTERS HAVE RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BIRD PROJECT.

>> THE FIRST CONCERN IS ABOUT MONEY.

WHY SHOULD THE CITY FOOT THE BILL FOR THE RIO TRAIL PROJECT THEN COURTNEY LEE SAYS THE LARGE PRICE TAG GIVES HIM PAUSE.

FUNDING SHOULD BE COMING OUT OF THE DISAGREEMENTS.

ARE THERE?

>> JUDE RICH FAIL OF BONITA SPRINGS SAYS THE TRAIL RUNS BOTH NORTH AND SOUTH.

>> OUTSIDE OF CITY LIMITS.

THIS IS A MULTI.

>> COUNTY PROJECT WHY IS THE CITY?

WE SHOULD BE AROUND THE COUNTY LEVELS.

YOU KNOW, BOTH COUNTIES THING OR A STATE LEVEL BECAUSE THERE'S MULTIPLE COUNTS OF ALL.

THEY SHOULD PAY FOR IT.

>> DUCK HAD A WAY OF THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND SAYS THE PROJECT HAS NOT RECEIVED FUNDING AT THE COUNTY STATE OR FEDERAL LEVELS HE SAYS WHAT COMPLICATES THIS MATTER IS THERE ARE 3 INDEPENDENT ENTITIES INVOLVED IN FINANCING THIS PROJECT.

WE EACH HAVE THEIR OWN BUDGETS AND PARTIES AND FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS AND OBLIGATIONS.

AND SO.

>> THE VILLAGE OF ESTERO IN COLLIER COUNTY WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY OTHER FUNDING STRATEGIES THAT WOULD NOT REQUIRE THEM TO GO IN FRONT OF THEIR VOTERS TO SEEK AUTHORITY TO BORROW MONEY.

WHEREAS THE CITY OF BONITA SPRINGS HAS DIFFERENT BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS THAT DUDE POINT THEM TOWARDS THE NEED TO GO IN FRONT OF THE VOTERS.

THE SECOND CONCERN.

>> IS WHETHER THE PRICE TAG ACCURATELY REFLECTS THE APPRAISAL MAN SURVEY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT.

DAVID JAY IS THE CHAIRMAN OF U.S.

A TAX FIGHTER'S DOT ORG AND SAYS HE WANTS TO SEE THE APPRAISAL OF REAL PROPERTY VALUE.

WHAT HOMEOWNER BUSINESS WOULD BUY SOME PROPERTY.

>> WENDY, REALLY STATE APPRAISAL IS NOT PROVIDED NOT EVEN CONDUCTED UNTIL AFTER THE ELECTION.

>> DOC HAD AWAY FROM THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND SAYS THAT SALE HAS NOT CLOSED.

WE'VE HAD MULTI MULTIPLE APPRAISALS ON THE SCORE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PAYING A PRICE THAT IS SUPPORTED BY THE MARKET.

>> DAVID JAY COUNTERS THAT RESIDUAL CLEANUP AT THE RAILROAD SITE COULD INCREASE THE COST OF ACQUIRING THIS PROPERTY.

>> WHEN YOU ARE ONLY TALKING ABOUT BUYING THE DIRT AND YOU'RE IGNORING THE IMPROVEMENTS AND THE BRIDGES AND THE 100 YEARS OF CLEANUP.

THAT'S A HUGE PROPERTY TAX BILL.

>> CHARLES HYNES OF THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND SAYS THIS ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN WILL BE FULLY INVESTIGATED AND PEOPLE NEED TO REALIZE IS THESE ARE REAL MORE DOORS.

YOU'RE NOT BUILDING YOU'RE NOT GROWING FOOD.

>> YOU DON'T ACTUALLY BUILD IN THE AREA WHERE MAYBE THE TIES HAD SOME KOREA SO TYPE OF STUFF LEAKING USE THAT AS A PAPER TRAIL.

>> THE 3RD CONCERN IS ABOUT HOW MUCH MORE MONEY IS NEEDED TO FUND THIS PROJECT.

RESIDENTS WONDER ABOUT FUTURE HIDDEN COSTS OF DEVELOPING A TRAIL.

MAINTENANCE AT THE TRAIL IS NOT AS COMPLEX ACCORDING TO CHARLES HYNES OF TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND AT ITS.

>> 12 FEET, 15 FEET OF ASPHALT THE REPAVING EVERY DECADE.

WHEN YOU TRIM SOME SOME GRASS ON THE SIDE.

SO THE ACTUAL MAINTENANCE OF THE TRAIL ITSELF.

>> IT'S NOT AS POPULATION GROWTH CONTINUES IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND SAYS THE TIME IS RIPE FOR THE RAIL TRAIL CONVERSION BECAUSE IT WOULD BE HARD TO PLACE A TRAIL ONCE A COMMUNITY ALREADY HAS COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL UNITS FOR WGCU NEWS.

I'M YOUN JOO PARK.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU VISIT WGCU DOT ORG WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.