get these nets
Veteran
03/05/26
Florida Senate votes to end local DEI programs, curbing ‘taxpayer-funded identity politics’
2026 Legislative Session
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – After hours of contentious questioning and floor debate, the Florida Senate on Wednesday approved a bill aimed at sharply limiting how cities and counties can fund or promote diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI initiatives.
SB 1134, sponsored by Republican Sen. Clay Yarborough, passed with a 25-11 vote following a marathon session defined by intense debate over home rule and the role of identity in public policy.
Ending taxpayer-funded identity politics
The legislation prohibits Florida’s 67 counties and more than 400 municipalities from expending any funds—regardless of the source—to “fund, promote, or take official actions” related to DEI.Under the bill, local governments are barred from establishing or staffing DEI offices or employing DEI officers. The bill defines DEI as any effort to manipulate the composition of a workforce based on race, sex, or sexual orientation, or to provide preferential treatment or “special benefits” based on those characteristics.
“The point is, diversity is not bad. Equity is not bad. Inclusion is not bad, but when it’s been hijacked into an effort, this social effort–this effort that cloaks all these inappropriate activities. That’s what’s wrong, and that’s what needs to stop in Florida,” Yarborough said in his closing remarks.
Accountability and legal teeth
The bill introduces strict penalties for local officials who violate these prohibitions, categorizing such actions as “misfeasance or malfeasance in office,” which can lead to suspension or removal by the governor. Additionally, any local resident may bring a civil action against a non-compliant county or municipality to seek injunctive relief and damages.To ensure the reach of the policy extends to private partners, the bill requires all potential recipients of local government contracts or grants to certify that they will not use those funds to instruct employees or contractors using DEI materials.
Marathon debate and exceptions
The Senate spent over five hours debating the proposal, with Yarborough introducing several amendments to provide “carve-outs” for specific historical and safety-related programs. The bill does not prohibit actions required for compliance with federal law, the promotion of state and federal holidays, or the maintenance of biological sex-segregated restrooms.No-Party-Affiliation Sen. Jason Pizzo expressed concern that the bill could lead to “frivolous lawsuits” from “wackos” looking for internet clicks, but Yarborough maintained the bill is a necessary cure for divisive practices. Yarborough cited examples of local governments—including those in Hillsborough ($572,000) and Gainesville—using taxpayer funds for trainings that he described as attacking “merit and hard work” as “part of white culture.”
Republican Sen. Ileana Garcia defended the conservative position, arguing that “reaching people where they are doesn’t mean labeling people or events.” She emphasized that Republican leadership focuses on “low income communities, mental behavioral, substance abuse, food scarcity,” and “upward mobility” for everyone, rather than “cherry-picking” specific groups.
Reactions from the floor
Democrats argued the bill was a “culture war” distraction that would chill local speech and harm the economy. Democratic Sen. Lori Berman warned that the bill would impair the ability of cities to host festivals that drive tourism.However, Yarborough insisted the bill is about returning to a system based solely on individual achievement. “Opportunity should be based on merit,” Yarborough said, drawing on his 12 years of experience in human resources. “That is what levels the playing field. It’s not based on your skin color.”
A similar bill, HB 1001, sponsored by Republican Rep. Dean Black, is currently moving through the Florida House and is expected to face a final vote before being sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis. While SB 1134 has already passed the upper chamber with a 25-11 vote, the House bill must be considered by March 9 to meet the session’s second-reading deadline.
If passed in the House and approved by the governor, the bill will take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
it's already been proven that white women are the biggest beneficiaries of DEI, so I'm sure a lot of them are gonna be voting against their own interests again 
