From left: St. Petersburg City Councilmembers Richie Floyd, Deborah Figgs-Sanders, Gina Driscoll, Copley Gerdes, Mayor Ken Welch, Council Chair Lisset Hanewicz, Mike Harting, Brandi Gabbard, Cory Givens Jr. Photo: City of St. Petersburg.
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch sent a letter to state leaders on Thursday denouncing legislation that would effectively ban any actions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. He also asked the city council to sign an identical missive.
Welch said both were prompted by the “rapid advancement” of House Bill 1001 and Senate Bill 1134. His subsequent prepared statement notes that the legislation, as drafted, would “substantially preempt local authority, invalidate locally adopted policies and expand state power with the ability to discipline local elected officials.”
While council members agree with that assessment, some bemoaned the timing of Welch’s request to unite in opposition. His memo, sent on Thursday morning, asked that they sign an accompanying letter by the end of the day.
Multiple council members expressed their frustration during an already contentious discussion on what they perceived as an inadequate response to the state removal of five street murals in late August and early September. All who addressed Welch’s request on Thursday, including those who appreciated the opportunity, said they preferred to issue their own statement.
“We have a very clear process,” said Councilmember Brandi Gabbard. “That process was not followed, and there was a missed opportunity for real unity to stand together against this type of legislation.”
Councilmember Deborah Figgs-Sanders was also caught off-guard by the memo, which she hadn’t read until the topic was broached at a Committee of the Whole meeting. Welch wrote that preempting local diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts would “impede our ability to respond to community needs, create operational uncertainty, and weaken public trust in government.”
Figgs-Sanders said the accompanying letter included “a couple of words that I truly would not have used.” She noted that withholding her signature “doesn’t mean I don’t agree with it.”
“I’m going to continue with my original plan to do something with the other (unnamed) organization,” Figgs-Sanders added. “But I appreciate it, and I’m glad that we as a city are sending this letter, because it is a bill that would be very detrimental to the culture …”
HB 1001 and SB 1134 were filed on Jan. 5. Lawmakers have amended both several times, and Assistant City Attorney Ben James said the language could continue to evolve.
If passed, the legislation would prohibit municipalities from funding or promoting, whether directly or indirectly, any action related to DEI initiatives. The bill would also void current ordinances, resolutions, rules, regulations, programs, and policies.
The legislation allows residents to “bring an action in court” against local governments for non-compliance, James said. Councilmember Richie Floyd called the bills an attack on “literally every community.”
Floyd said the legislation’s vagueness would make him wary of supporting “any cultural, ethnic, religious event at all, for fear of being removed from office.”
“I think the letter is fine,” said Floyd, who has already issued his own statement. “It’s not what I think is the most effective message, but I understand that’s been the administration’s messaging, so it’s fine.”
Welch’s letter – and the one with space for city council signatures – was addressed to Gov. Ron DeSantis, Senate President Ben Albritton, and House Speaker Daniel Perez. It states that the bill provisions “represent an unprecedented intrusion into municipal governance and a direct challenge to Florida’s constitutional principle of home rule.”
“St. Petersburg’s inclusive policies are not symbolic gestures; they are practical tools of governance,” Welch wrote. “They strengthen public health outcomes, improve workforce recruitment and retention, enhance public safety, and ensure equitable access to city services.”
Gabbard, who has said she will run against Welch in the upcoming mayoral election, believes the city’s legislative committee should have discussed his letter last week. The full council could have voted on a resolution later that day.
“I will not be signing on to this letter, and it is not because I do not support opposition to these bills,” Gabbard continued. “I very clearly believe these bills are harmful to local governments and the people we serve.”
If signed into law in June, the legislation would take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. Councilmember Gina Driscoll said responses to the erased street art, which included “Black History Matters” and Progressive Pride Flag murals, will likely lack staying power.
Driscoll advocated for improving communication and closely tracking the legislation as it moves through the House and Senate. Councilmember Corey Givens Jr. believes the city can identify ways to express unity that will not draw the state’s ire.
He also noted that “time is of the essence.” After the meeting, HB 1001 cleared another state committee. SB 1134 is rapidly approaching a floor vote; DeSantis has lauded the companion bill and would sign it into law if it reaches his desk.
In his letter, Welch said he recognized the Legislature’s authority to set statewide standards. However, the bills go “far beyond uniformity.”
The legislation would “restrict local problem-solving, chill lawful civic engagement, and weaken democratic accountability by shifting power away from voters and toward centralized state control,” Welch wrote.
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