Florida lawmakers consider legislation that looks to limit DEI policies
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — As federal agencies are being directed to terminate all equity-related grants or contracts on the national level, state lawmakers in Tallahassee are considering legislation that centers around limitations on diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements, otherwise known as DEI.
The sponsor of the bill at hand, State Senator Nick Diceglie of Pinellas County, says DEI programs do not create fairness, but rather favoritism.
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On the other hand, Democrats argue the bill is problematic and feeds into culture wars.'We do not give up, we organize; and when we organize, we win,' said State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando.
Florida Democrats and advocates rallied at the capitol in opposition of a number of bills. Equality Florida released the list of bills the organization is against this legislative session, such as Senate Bill 7016, Senate Bill 420, Senate Bill 440, Senate Bill 1710, Senate Bill 932, and Senate Bill 930.'Several bills that perpetuate these decisive culture wars that do nothing to lower costs for Floridians, that do nothing to solve real problems, and that do nothing to improve the lives of hardworking people in this state are being heard in committees in the Florida house and senate,' Smith said.
One of those efforts, led by Senator Diceglie, SB 1710 aims to prohibit state agencies from using funds to follow or support DEI policies, saying it's inappropriate for state agencies to have these programs in the first place.
'In practice, DEI often leads to reverse discrimination, favoring some groups over others under the guides of equity. This isn't fairness, its favoritism dressed up as progress,' Diceglie said.
In support of the bill, State Senator Randy Fine, R-Melbourne Beach, says DEI has proven to be not about diversity but rather about ideology and pushing a political agenda that not everyone agrees with.
'What the bill says is you won't manipulate or influence the compensation of employees using things like race, sex, color, or ethnicity. Basically, you can't discriminate,' Fine said.
State Representative Anna V. Eskamani, D-Orlando, argues that the bill does nothing to help everyday Floridians, and instead prioritizes political games.
'I do see this type of legislation not only eroding local control, making it harder for local governments to respond to their constituents needs, but it's just part of a larger, politically motivated attack. That is not actually going to make the lives better for our constituents.'Others endorse the bill,' Eskamani said.Floridians from across the state came to speak out against the bill, however, despite those efforts, it still passed out of committee, 6 yays and 2 nays.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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