Polk County Builders Ass'n v. Polk County

32 So. 3d 65, 2009 Fla. App. LEXIS 1536, 2009 WL 490001

Opinions

DAVIS, Judge.

Appellants, Polk County Builders Association, Inc.; Hickman Homes, Inc.; Tyler Homes of Polk County, Inc.; and Florida Homebuilders Association, Inc., challenge the constitutionality of Polk County Ordinance 05-48 by arguing that article IX, section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution expressly preempts Polk County from participating in funding the voter-approved ballot initiative to reduce class size. After a review of the language of article IX, section 1(a), we find that it fails to meet the test for express preemption. “Express preemption requires a specific legislative statement; it cannot be implied or inferred.” Browning v. Sarasota Alliance for Fair Elections, Inc., 968 So.2d 637, 644 (Fla. 2d DCA 2007) (citing City of Hollywood v. Mulligan, 934 So.2d 1238, 1243 (Fla.2006); Phantom of Clearwater, Inc. v. Pinellas County, 894 So.2d 1011, 1018 (Fla. 2d DCA 2005)).

Accordingly, we affirm the trial court’s order granting Polk County’s motion for summary judgment and the subsequent final judgment entered in favor of Polk County.

Affirmed.

KELLY, J., Concurs. VILLANTI, J., Concurs with opinion.