US Edition'Poison Apple': Senate Passes Local DEI Attack Favored by Governor as Democrats Question Motivations Behind Legislation
Bills HB 1001 and SB 1134 seek to ban local DEI funding and promotion with penalties including lawsuits and removal from office, raising concerns among officials about broad impacts.
- On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, Florida mayors and local commissioners held a joint press conference to oppose Senate Bill 1134 and House Bill 1001 as they reached legislative floors.
- Sen. Clay Yarborough filed SB 1134 after reviewing local DEI expenditures, and it advanced with GOP unity by a 25-11 vote, supported by the sponsor and others.
- The bills would broadly define DEI as activities tied to demographic criteria and restrict them, creating citizen lawsuits, misfeasance and malfeasance penalties that could remove local officials while preserving equal opportunity and legally-designated observances.
- With the legislative session ending March 13, local officials including Leon County Administrator Vince Long and OEV Director Keith Bowers are monitoring the bills and will evaluate impacts, with Long saying the county will ensure compliance.
- The St. Pete Pride Festival draws more than 350,000 people and generates $63 million in economic activity, but Pride board President Dr. Byron Green-Calisch warned the bill would bar an in-kind contribution of $150,000 and opponents caution statewide losses could reach billions.
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Florida Senate votes to ban local governments from spending on DEI
The rainbow flag of the gay pride movement and the flag of the United States (Getty Images)The Florida Senate approved legislation Wednesday night that will prohibit cities and counties from funding, promoting, or taking official actions relating to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts. The final vote was 25-11 and came after a debate that began in the morning and ultimately ended at 8:36 p.m. Miami-Dade County Sen. Alexis Calatayud was…
Florida anti-DEI legislation worries Stonewall Pride Wilton Manors supporters
A new bill making its way through the Florida House and Senate is raising concerns about whether cities could be banned from showing support to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities with events like PRIDE month.
St. Petersburg, Fort Lauderdale mayors speak out against bill targeting diversity
Bills on the House and Senate floors banning diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in local government are raising alarms among local leaders across the state. Florida mayors and local commissioners gathered to speak out against the bill. House Bill 1001 and Senate Bill 1134 ban counties and municipalities from funding and promoting anything relating to DEI. The bills defines diversity, equity, and inclusion as “training, programming, or ac…
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