In a bold stand against what many see as sweeping state overreach, Manatee County, Orange County, and a growing number of cities—including Deltona, Windermere, Stuart, Alachua, Weston, and Naples—have joined a legal coalition to challenge Senate Bill 180 (SB 180). The legislation, signed into law earlier this year, has sparked widespread concern among local leaders who argue it strips municipalities of their constitutional right to home rule—the authority to govern and regulate land use within their own jurisdictions.
The coalition, led by attorney Jamie Cole of Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman, is preparing a class-action lawsuit that will focus on the bill’s sweeping prohibition against local land-use and zoning regulations deemed “restrictive or burdensome.” Critics say this vague language opens the door for developers and private interests to sue local governments for virtually any attempt to manage growth, protect wetlands, or improve infrastructure2.
🎙️ Local Leaders Speak Out “This is not just a legal fight—it’s a moral one,” said a Manatee County Commissioner. “Our residents elected us to protect their communities, their environment, and their future. SB 180 threatens all of that.”
Orange County officials echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the bill undermines decades of planning and environmental stewardship. “We cannot allow Tallahassee to dictate how we manage our land, especially when our communities are facing real threats from flooding and overdevelopment,” said one county representative.
🌧️ Flooding, Infrastructure, and the Cost of Inaction The stakes are high. Across Florida, communities are grappling with increasingly severe flooding, much of it exacerbated by irresponsible development and outdated infrastructure. Local governments have long relied on their ability to update comprehensive plans and implement stormwater improvements to mitigate these risks. SB 180, however, places those powers in jeopardy.
“Without home rule, we’re handcuffed,” said a city planner in Deltona. “We can’t adapt, we can’t respond, and we certainly can’t protect our residents from the consequences of unchecked growth.”
🏛️ A Grassroots Movement Gains Momentum The coalition’s lawsuit is more than a legal maneuver—it’s a rallying cry. Residents across the state are being urged to contact their city and county representatives and demand they join the fight. The cost to participate in the lawsuit is modest—$10,000 per municipality—but the potential impact is enormous.
“This is the strongest fight we can bring forward,” said Weston City Attorney Jamie Cole. “Every city and county in Florida faces the same threat. It’s time to stand together.”
📢 What’s Next The lawsuit is expected to be filed in mid-September. As more municipalities vote to join, the coalition grows stronger, sending a clear message to state lawmakers: Floridians value local control, and they won’t surrender it without a fight.
For residents, the message is equally clear: Your voice matters. Your vote for home rule matters. And your local government needs your support now more than ever.
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