Mayor Ken Welch (right) and artist John Gascot at a Black History Month event in 2023. The state has since removed the “Black History Matters” mural outside of the Woodson African American Museum of Florida. Photo: City of St. Petersburg.
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch has pledged to continue fighting legislation that bans local governments from funding, supporting, or taking any official action related to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
The Florida House passed Senate Bill 1134 last week despite five Republicans joining all Democrats in opposing the legislation. Critics have bemoaned its ambiguous language and steep penalties for defiance, including removal from office.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has spent the past several years targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, is widely expected to soon sign the bill into law. Welch, in a prepared statement sent to Power Broker Magazine on Friday, said that would “usurp our local community values” and “impede local government’s ability to respond to community needs.”
“Our inclusive policies are neither discriminatory nor punitive, but are essential tools for effective governance,” Welch said. “Our programs and policies reflect the voices of our residents and the will of the voters who entrust us with the responsibility of serving them.
“As mayor of St. Pete, I want to send a clear message to our residents – we are committed to fighting this legislation, and we will continue to advocate for our community.”
Welch’s stance could result in municipal litigation. The bill enables residents to sue for noncompliance, and local officials must pay legal damages if found in violation by a court.
Elected officials could also face removal from office for perceived malfeasance. Welch called the legislation, which would take effect on Jan. 1 with the governor’s signature, the state’s latest “attempt to continue exerting their authority over local governments, while demanding adherence to a regressive anti-inclusion mindset.”
“This is not who we are in St. Pete,” Welch added. “St. Pete believes in inclusive progress and a city that works for everyone.”
According to SB 1134, DEI is any effort to “manipulate or otherwise influence the composition of employees with reference to race, color, sex, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation other than to ensure that hiring is conducted in accordance with state and federal antidiscrimination laws.”
The bill bans any action that promotes or provides “preferential treatment or special benefits to a person or group based on that person’s or group’s race, color, sex, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation; or promote or adopt training, programming, or activities designed or implemented with reference to race, color, sex, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation.”
State Rep. Christine Hunschofsky has warned the bill “could mean that you can’t celebrate Women’s History Month or Women’s Equality Day or Diwali or Chinese New Year or Easter.” Rep. Michele Rayner unsuccessfully attempted to pass an amendment that would have allowed local governments to support Pride events.
The bill does not prohibit municipalities from recognizing state and federal holidays, including Juneteenth or Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Local governments can issue event permits in a “content-neutral manner” and provide public safety services.
“We can’t predict all the unintended consequences that could result from this legislation,” said Welch, echoing concerns shared by local, state, and federal officials.
The latter group includes U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, who believes Republican lawmakers are “simply out of touch.” Castor, speaking after a check presentation ceremony for an affordable senior housing development in St. Petersburg on Friday, said the “critical issue is the cost of living.”
“Since they’re not solving those problems, they create these distractions for people to try and take your attention away from what’s important,” she continued. “And it’s not serving Floridians well at all.”
Congresswoman Kathy Castor (right) said on Friday that state lawmakers should focus on housing affordability, soaring electric bills, and property insurance costs rather than culture wars. Photo by Mark Parker.
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