TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Both of Florida\u2019s capital city local governments have instructed their staff to bring back an analysis of their legal options to fight a new law meant to prevent local governments from funding DEI-related programs.<\/p>\n
The Leon County Commission voted 5-1 to bring back an agenda item in June, and the Tallahassee City Commission voted 5-0<\/a> for a similar analysis from their staff. Leon County Chairman Christian Caban was the only commissioner to vote against staff bringing back an analysis. Commissioner Brian Welch was absent.<\/p>\n Both commissions have also mandated staff to conduct a study and provide a list of programs, procedures and regulations that would need to be changed if the law weren\u2019t struck down.<\/p>\n However, neither one has agreed to file a lawsuit and both the city and county attorneys have stressed the local governments might not have standing to challenge the law in court. <\/p>\n Some on the city commission, such as Commissioner Diane Williams-Cox and Commissioner Curtis Richardson, suggested electing new state lawmakers to repeal SB1134 would be the better way to go.<\/p>\n More Tallahassee News<\/p>\n In an interview Thursday morning, Leon County Commissioner David O\u2019Keefe, vice-chair of the commission, said he wasn\u2019t concerned about being removed from office for analyzing the law because it doesn\u2019t take effect until January 1, 2027.<\/p>\n Furthermore, he said the county commission should fight for its constituents, though he said it isn\u2019t yet clear if they have the legal right to challenge the law. O\u2019Keefe said that Leon County has challenged state laws before, perhaps most recently over regulations that prevented them from passing a local law against firing a gun in parks.<\/p>\n Across the street at City Hall, City Attorney Amy Toman said she would need to conduct an analysis standing, though she also said SB1134 prevented a lot of programs.<\/p>\n \u201cThe bill largely prohibits the city from directly or indirectly funding or promoting DEI. It declares existing DEI ordinances, regulations, resolutions, programs or policies void,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Tune in to Eyewitness News at 5 and 6 for the full story. This story will also be updated this evening with full details. <\/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