TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – A previously failed Leon County charter amendment that would address historical harms – like racial injustice – may have new life, but leaders need to make sure it complies with new DEI rules. <\/p>\n
The amendment, titled \u201chistorical harms\u201d would identify past injustices and pay for future fixes. <\/p>\n
The measure was all but dead after the Leon County Charter Review Committee tied 9-9 <\/a>and did not recommend the amendment. Now, the issue could go before a review committee for reconsideration. <\/p>\n In the face of anti-DEI legislation, sponsors of the historical harms amendment are hoping to shape Leon County\u2019s constitution in a way that rights those wrongs, but also complies with the law. <\/p>\n \u201cSo the motion fails on a tie, but we urge commissioners that the democratic process would kind of behoove them to send it to the voters. There was more discussion needed. So they said, let\u2019s send it back to the committee and see how we can move it forward,\u201d said Dr. Bruce Strouble, the sponsor of the proposed amendment.<\/p>\n More Tallahassee news:<\/p>\n Sometimes likened to a reparations amendment, the measure would require the county to study past wrongs and fund fixes. Several review committee members said they might have voted for the measure, if not legal concerns. <\/p>\n Commissioner Bill Proctor said the county commission wants the review committee to reconsider the amendment on its face, and let the elected officials worry about the legal consequences. <\/p>\n \u201cWe think that we\u2019re saying to the committee, \u201dWe stand with you, but we don\u2019t want you to send us stuff out of fear. We want you to send us things out of your convictions and your beliefs of what is right,\u201d said Proctor.<\/p>\n For his part, Dr. Strouble believes the proposed amendment can co-exist with anti DEI legislation in Florida.<\/p>\n \u201c(We want) to direct funding and investment into communities that have been negatively impacted. We\u2019re not talking about racial reparations in that sense. We\u2019re talking about restoring communities,\u201d said Strouble.<\/p>\n He added that calling it a reparations amendment isn\u2019t quite right.<\/p>\n \u201c(We want) to direct funding and investment into communities that have been negatively impacted. We\u2019re not talking about racial reparations in that sense. We\u2019re talking about restoring communities,\u201d said Strouble.<\/p>\n Sending the amendment back to the charter review committee is significant. Should the committee recommend the change, just four, instead of five county commissioners could put the proposed amendment on the general ballot in November.<\/p>\n A Leon County spokesperson said the proposed amendment is coming back before the county commission itself, not heading straight to the review committee, like some believe.<\/p>\n \u201cUltimately, the board directed staff to bring back an agenda item,\u201d the spokesperson said. \u201cAt that time, the board will review the matter and determine whether to refer it back to the (review committee) for additional consideration.\u201d <\/p>\n County leaders have been wrestling with pushing forward Tallahassee\u2019s more progressive politics in light of anti-DEI legislation<\/a> sitting on the governor\u2019s desk waiting to be signed.<\/p>\n Proctor said that he, for one, is not worried about being removed from office.<\/p>\n \u201cSo this office ain\u2019t that great. It ain\u2019t no that big of a deal of me. So I ain\u2019t kissing nobody\u2019s ass to hold some office. It\u2019s that simple,\u201d Proctor said.<\/p>\n To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Nextdoor<\/a> <\/a>and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 WCTV. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n