Direct with Dana

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 worksWhy homestead and non-homestead properties matterThe potential impact on rent and commercial propertyHow counties fund emergency services and public facilitiesWhether local governments can cut spending insteadAlternative approaches to property tax reformThe 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! Subscribe to Direct with Dana for candid conversations about the issues affecting your community, your finances, and your future.#DirectWithDana #FloridaPropertyTaxes #Amendment3 #PropertyTaxRelief #FloridaHomeowners #FloridaRealEstate #HomesteadExemption #LocalGovernment

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.Subscribe for more conversations from Direct with Dana, follow the show, and visit Fasig | Brooks to learn more.

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.

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.

Dana Brooks sits down with commercial real estate veteran Ed Murray to examine Tallahassee’s economic future, from housing and development to jobs, FSU Health, and AI. They also explore what’s holding growth back—and why Tallahassee can still be a place where entrepreneurs and young professionals can “move the needle.” 

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.Subscribe for more Direct with Dana conversations with the people shaping the issues that affect your community.

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 stalledThe biggest barriers to business growthHow permitting and bureaucracy impact developmentAffordable housing and zoning reformThe role of local leadershipJournalism vs. advocacy in today's mediaWhat Austin did differently—and what Tallahassee can learnIf 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.

When a courtroom becomes national news, what really happens behind the scenes?Attorney Katherine Viker joins Dana Brooks for an inside look at one of Florida's most talked-about recent trials, the challenges of representing plaintiffs, and the surprising path that led her from raising five children to becoming one of Tallahassee's most respected employment attorneys.In this episode:The high-profile Fabian Basabe trialWhat it's really like trying cases against self-represented litigantsSexual harassment and workplace discriminationPlaintiff law vs. defense lawAI in the courtroomBuilding a legal career later in lifeCelebrity clients, music legends, and unexpected career opportunitiesLeadership, resilience, and standing up for what's rightWhether you're interested in law, leadership, employment issues, courtroom strategy, or inspiring career stories, this episode delivers an honest conversation packed with insight.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and Follow Direct with Dana for more conversations with leaders, attorneys, and changemakers making an impact in their communities.