PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — A Tuesday vote by Palm Beach County commissioners ended the county's diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts.
This decision follows direction from President Donald Trump's administration, which threatens to pull federal funding from local governments not compliant with its guidance regarding DEI initiatives.
WATCH BELOW: Palm Beach County commissioners vote to end DEI programs
Those concerns led Palm Beach County staff to recommend suspending portions of the county's equal business opportunity program.
The suspensions apply to anything that makes distinctions on sex or race, including the county's minority business and women's minority business programs.
One entrepreneur told WPTV that the program helped her company get looked at for their qualifications rather than her appearance.
Commissioners also removed gender identity protections.
County staff told commissioners they believe Tuesday's vote will reduce legal liability and preserve the county's ability to keep federal funding.
Tuesday's motion passed by a 6-1 vote.
"Don't let it be said that our board is not filled with passion and compassion because we do our homework. We do take this seriously, and we also want to do the best we can do to protect all of our 1.5 million people who live here," an emotional Palm Beach County Maria Marino said after the vote.
This comes after the Palm Beach County School Board voted in April to end district DEI programs to avoid losing $300 million in federal funding.
