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Life in Naples
Life in Naples
A History on a Current Headline
This article was written in 2018 in the middle of my term on THE MAGAZINE OF NAPLES
City Council (2016-2020). As you can see below, this was a hot
topic back then and remains so today. Between 2016-2020 we Volume 15 • Issue 7 • November 2025
fought constantly with the Florida Legislature about home rule.
Under Florida’s Constitution, municipalities are corporations 1415 Panther Lane, Suite #418
vested with broad governmental and proprietary powers. Each
Naples, FL 34109
city has a charter pointing out its scope of services and detailing
its elections. 239.572.0051
The details of this are found in policies, administrative codes reg@regbuxton.com
and ordinances. Florida since 1968 has recognized the need
for cities to have home rule powers. This is included in the www.LifeInNaples.net
constitution (Article VIII, Section 2 (b) and ratified in 1973.
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This gives each city the flexibility to make its laws specifically
to its own needs. This right means the city can adopt its laws so x.com/LifeInNaplesMag
long as the law doesn’t conflict with state or federal law.
Cities in Florida are not “of” the State, but “in” the State:
an important distinction between municipal authority and Text Copyright 2025 all rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any
other local governments. Cities were created for services and
self-determination. Self determination is the ability to make form by any electronic or mechanical means without
local decisions locally. Cities are citizen driven representative permission from the publisher. Life in Naples regrets that
no responsibility can be accepted for unsolicited material.
democracies with citizen engagement, citizen input and citizen
leadership. Opinions expressed by contributors or advertisers are not
necessarily those of the publisher.
Florida’s Legislature has been active on the pre-emption
front. Some critics, including this writer, say that many of the
pre-emption efforts place financial gain above community and
are driven by corporate efforts. Where you plant or can plant
publisher Reg Buxton
a tree will fall under this type of scrutiny. Such areas include
vacation rentals, developers, writing rules for taking down trees,
interested in advertising Call Reg: 239.572.0051
eliminate local CRAs and how local governments can spend

their tax dollars. Everyone needs to make themselves aware of
contributing writers Bill Barnett
the battle going on between Cities and the State legislature. Sandra Lee Buxton
As can be seen from the bills in the legislature right now, Diana Jarrett
there’s a strong chance that home rule could be lost in the state Lois Bolin
of Florida. Many cities and counties are fighting to keep it, and Jeff Lytle
it’s important that Collier County takes up the fight as well.
Claudia Polzin
Talk to your local legislator, be it House or the Senate. Paula Allia
Now is the time to express your feelings and perspective. Tina Osceola
Representative Yvette Benarroch : 239.232.8810
graphic design YB Design Studio
Representative Lauren Melo : 239.417.6270
Senator Kathleen Passidomo : 239.417.6205

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