The Cost of Ignoring State Law

You don't have to like a law — but you have to follow it.

After my recent interview about the Live Local Act, I heard from many residents worried about its impact on Sarasota County. Traffic, infrastructure, neighborhood compatibility, and quality of life are real concerns worth serious debate. But opposing a law doesn't erase the obligation to follow it.

The Live Local Act is binding state law, passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor. Counties and cities don't get to pick which state laws they obey. Yet in April 2026, the County Commission voted unanimously to challenge the Act through administrative interpretation rather than a proper legal challenge — an approach many attorneys, including the County Attorney, warned conflicts with state law.

Whether you support or oppose Live Local projects, that gamble could expose Sarasota taxpayers to expensive litigation over a law that stays binding until a court says otherwise. Lawsuits mean hundreds of attorney hours, expert witnesses, depositions, and appeals — costs that climb into six figures. And when government loses, taxpayers pay twice: once for the lawsuit, and again for the delay.

Courts exist for a reason. If officials believe a law is wrong, there are lawful ways to challenge it — without inviting lawsuits residents will fund. Good governance takes discipline, not just passion. The rule of law isn't tested when we agree with a statute; it's tested when we don't.

Our decisions should be guided by sound legal judgment and fiscal responsibility — not political expediency. Sarasota taxpayers deserve nothing less.