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Senator Lori Berman warns Delray Beach of state preemption and budget uncertainty
Summary
Senator Lori Berman told the Delray Beach commission the Legislature adjourned without a balanced budget and noted multiple preemption bills that limit municipal authority, including restrictions on DEI programming and changes to sovereign immunity; she flagged appropriations in play for local projects.
Senator Lori Berman briefed the Delray Beach City Commission on April 7 about the Florida Legislature’s recent session, saying lawmakers adjourned without a final balanced budget and will return to complete budget work before the July 1 deadline.
“I have hit my term limits. So, this is my last year representing the city and probably my last legislative report to all of you,” Senator Berman said in her introductory remarks. She urged commissioners and residents to closely review any proposed property‑tax constitutional amendment appearing on future ballots, cautioning that broad tax changes could shift revenues and services.
The senator emphasized concerns about state preemption: she said a number of bills passed this session curb municipal authority, including measures that restrict local regulation of fuel sources for equipment such as leaf blowers and that limit local programming tied to diversity, equity and inclusion. "You are not allowed to pass any regulations to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions," she said, describing language that would require cities to justify such measures on economic rather than environmental grounds.
Berman also described an adjustment to sovereign immunity limits, with caps raised to figures the senator summarized in her presentation. She said the League of Cities worked actively to mitigate the effects of those measures on municipalities.
On appropriations, Berman said the Senate had included funding in its budget for Delray Beach projects under consideration: $650,000 on the Senate side for Swinton/Atlantic intersection improvements, and a House appropriation of approximately $338,000 for Delray Fire and Rescue’s beach‑rescue drone program. She cautioned the commission that final inclusion depends on completion of the state budget process and potential executive decisions.
Commissioners thanked the senator for her advocacy on home‑rule issues and for pursuing local priorities. No commission action was required; staff said they would follow up with the senator’s office and the League of Cities as state budget negotiations continue.
