Florida’s communities deserve a say in their own future. But under Senate Bill 180, signed into law in 2025, local governments across our state have been stripped of their right to manage growth, enforce building moratoriums, and protect against unchecked development — all in the name of “disaster recovery.”

Originally pitched as a temporary measure to help hurricane-hit counties rebuild, SB 180 has morphed into something much broader and far more dangerous. Now, cities and counties statewide — whether they were hit by storms or not — are barred from enacting new building limits, even in areas where growth threatens flood safety, environmental protections, or basic infrastructure.

From Republican Liberty Caucus chapters to conservationists at Audubon Florida, from libertarians to local neighborhood groups, a diverse and growing coalition agrees: Tallahassee has gone too far. SB 180 is a gift to developers at the expense of Florida’s families, farms, and future.

Local officials who once championed smarter growth — like those in Manatee, Polk, Orange, and Sarasota counties — have been forced to abandon or delay crucial protections, including wetlands buffers and floodplain safeguards. At least 20 local governments are now suing the state, arguing SB 180 violates Florida’s constitutional guarantee of home rule. And many residents, regardless of political affiliation, are rising up to demand their communities’ voices be heard.

We can’t let one-size-fits-all mandates from the capital silence local voters and override years of careful planning.

We, the undersigned, call on Governor Ron DeSantis, the Florida Legislature, and especially Rep. Fiona McFarland — who inserted the sweeping last-minute language into SB 180 — to repeal or amend this harmful law immediately. Restore home rule. Respect local democracy. Let Floridians decide how to protect their homes, their land, and their future.

Photo: BRANDON SPENCER | Spectrum News 13 via Suncoast Searchlight