A Political and Public Policy Analysis for M•I•A MEDIA GROUP | Legacy Magazine

As Florida approaches the November 3 midterm elections, Palm Beach County’s Black community faces significant political and economic challenges that could shape its future for generations.

From the historically Black communities of Riviera Beach, West Palm Beach and Belle Glade to Lake Worth Beach, Delray Beach and Boynton Beach, residents are confronting issues involving affordable housing, economic opportunity, education, healthcare, immigration and political representation.

Palm Beach County also presents a distinctive challenge: It is home to extraordinary wealth, yet many working-class communities struggle with housing costs, limited economic mobility and access to essential services.

The central political question is whether Palm Beach County’s economic prosperity is creating meaningful opportunities for its Black residents.

Here are the 12 issues I would prioritize for Legacy South Florida’s political coverage.

1. Affordable Housing, Gentrification and Black Homeownership

Priority: Extremely High

Housing affordability is among the most pressing issues affecting Black families throughout Palm Beach County.

The county’s own housing analysis identifies disproportionate housing challenges among Black households, particularly lower-income households.

Major concerns include:

• Rising rents in West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach, Delray Beach and Boynton Beach.

• Displacement of longtime Black residents through redevelopment.

• Limited opportunities for first-time Black homebuyers.

• Rising homeowners insurance and property tax expenses.

• The growing difficulty of passing family-owned property to future generations.

• Affordable housing for teachers, healthcare workers and other essential employees.

Palm Beach County has committed funding to affordable housing projects, including developments in Mangonia Park and West Palm Beach. The challenge is ensuring that these investments reach residents most in need.

Political accountability question:

What specific policies will elected officials implement to increase Black homeownership, prevent displacement and ensure that longtime residents benefit from redevelopment?

2. Economic Inequality and Black-Owned Business Development

Priority: Extremely High

Palm Beach County’s growing economy has created opportunities in real estate, tourism, healthcare, construction and financial services.

However, the distribution of those opportunities deserves greater examination.

Important issues include:

• Access to county and municipal government contracts.
• Minority participation in major development projects.
• Financing for Black-owned businesses.
• Commercial property ownership.
• Business opportunities at Palm Beach International Airport and the Port of Palm Beach.
• Access to private-sector corporate contracts.
• Economic investment in historically underserved neighborhoods.

The Black Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County has identified business financing, workforce development, housing affordability and insurance costs among its 2026 legislative priorities.

Political accountability question:

How much public contracting money is being awarded to Black-owned businesses, and what measurable steps are being taken to expand their participation?

3. Education, School Funding and Achievement Gaps

Priority: Extremely High

Educational opportunity remains a critical issue for Black families.

The Palm Beach County School District faces declining enrollment and financial pressures.

A February 2026 report identified a decline of nearly 7,900 students across district-operated and charter schools, raising concerns about future funding.

Key issues include:

• Academic achievement gaps.
• Reading and mathematics proficiency.
• Teacher recruitment and retention.
• School discipline disparities.
• Access to advanced placement and gifted programs.
• Career and technical education.
• School safety and mental health services.
• Equitable distribution of educational resources.

An immediate election issue: Palm Beach County voters will decide whether to renew an existing property tax supporting teacher compensation, school safety, mental health services and specialized educational programs.

The district says failure to renew the referendum could result in significant reductions in teacher compensation and educational programs.

Political accountability question:

Are Black students receiving the educational resources, academic support and career preparation necessary to compete successfully?

4. Black Political Representation and Leadership

Priority: Extremely High

Palm Beach County has a long history of Black political leadership, particularly in Riviera Beach, West Palm Beach, Delray Beach and the Glades communities.

However, the political influence of Black residents must be evaluated beyond the number of elected officials holding office.

Important questions include:

• Are Black communities adequately represented on county and municipal commissions?
• Are Black elected officials holding influential leadership positions?
• How are political boundaries affecting representation?
• Are Black candidates receiving adequate financial and institutional support?
• Are political parties engaging Black voters between elections?
• Are Black residents represented on major economic development and governmental boards?
• The 2026 election cycle also includes important school board and county commission contests.

Political accountability question:

Does Palm Beach County’s Black community have sufficient political influence over decisions involving government spending, economic development, education and public policy?

5. The Economic Future of Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Bay

Priority: Extremely High

This is one of the issues that distinguishes Palm Beach County from Broward and Miami-Dade.

The Glades region, including Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Bay, faces economic challenges that deserve sustained political attention.

Major concerns include:

• Limited access to higher-paying employment.
• Economic dependence on agriculture and related industries.
• Infrastructure improvements.
• Transportation connections to employment centers.
• Access to healthcare facilities.
• Affordable housing.
• Workforce training and educational opportunities.
• Attracting new businesses and private investment.

The Glades should be central to any serious discussion about economic opportunity in Palm Beach County.

Political accountability question:

What is the county’s long-term economic development strategy for Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Bay, and how much funding is being committed to implementing it?

6. Immigration, Haitian Temporary Protected Status and Caribbean Communities

Priority: Very High

Palm Beach County’s Haitian American and broader Caribbean communities are directly affected by federal immigration policies.

Immigration enforcement and uncertainty surrounding Temporary Protected Status have generated considerable concern.

In February 2026, community leaders and religious organizations raised concerns about immigration enforcement and its impact on Haitian families in Palm Beach County.

Key issues include:

• Temporary Protected Status for eligible Haitian immigrants.
• Deportation policies.
• Family separation.
• Employment authorization.
• Access to legal representation.
• Immigration enforcement near schools and community institutions.
• The economic impact of immigration restrictions.

Political accountability question:

What are Palm Beach County’s congressional representatives doing to protect residents’ legal rights and address the economic and humanitarian consequences of immigration policies?

7. Healthcare Access and Racial Health Disparities

Priority: Very High

Healthcare affordability and access remain major concerns, particularly for low-income families, seniors and residents of rural communities.

Important issues include:

• Diabetes and hypertension.
• Cardiovascular disease.
• Black maternal health and infant mortality.
• Cancer screening and early detection.
• Mental health services.
• Affordable prescription medications.
• Access to primary care.
• Healthcare availability in the Glades.
• The political conversation should examine the effectiveness of local healthcare investments and the accessibility of services.

Political accountability question:

What measurable steps will elected officials take to reduce racial health disparities and improve healthcare access in underserved communities?

8. Criminal Justice, Policing and Public Safety

Priority: High

Public safety and police accountability remain important issues for Black residents.

Key concerns include:

• Gun violence prevention.
• Police accountability.
• Racial profiling.
• Juvenile justice reform.
• Mental health crisis intervention.
• Rehabilitation and reentry programs.
• Community-based violence prevention.
• Transparency in law enforcement practices.

The challenge for elected officials is improving neighborhood safety while maintaining public trust and protecting constitutional rights.

Political accountability question:

Are Palm Beach County’s law enforcement and public safety policies producing safer communities while ensuring fairness and accountability?

9. Property Taxes, Homeowners Insurance and Financial Security

Priority: Very High

Rising housing-related expenses threaten the financial security of homeowners and retirees.

Important concerns include:

• Property taxes.
• Homeowners insurance premiums.
• Flood insurance.
• Condominium assessments.
• Home repair expenses.
• Financial pressures on retirees.
• The potential consequences of property tax reform.

Florida’s proposed Amendment 3 would expand homestead property tax exemptions if approved by voters.

Palm Beach County has published an analysis explaining the potential consequences for local government revenues and public services.

Political accountability question:

How can elected officials reduce the financial burden on homeowners without undermining funding for public safety, healthcare, infrastructure and other essential services?

10. Workforce Development, Wages and Economic Mobility

Priority: Very High

Economic mobility is essential to building a stronger Black middle class.

Palm Beach County’s expanding economy creates opportunities, but residents need access to training and employment pathways.

Key issues include:

• Higher-paying jobs.
• Apprenticeship programs.
• Technology and artificial intelligence training.
• Healthcare careers.
• Construction and skilled trades.
• Employment opportunities for young adults.
• Transportation barriers.
• Affordable childcare for working families.

The Black Chamber of Commerce has specifically called for stronger career and technical education programs connected to growing industries.

Political accountability question:

What policies will elected officials implement to help Black residents obtain higher-paying jobs and build long-term financial security?

11. Voting Rights, Voter Participation and Political Engagement

Priority: Extremely High

With the November 3 election approaching, voter participation is an immediate concern.

Key issues include:

• Voter registration.
• Early voting.
• Vote-by-mail procedures.
• Election misinformation.
• Participation among younger Black voters.
• Voter education.
• Political engagement in local elections.

The political influence of Black voters depends not only on participation in presidential elections but also on engagement in county commission, school board, municipal and state legislative races.

Political accountability question:

Are political parties, elected officials and community organizations investing sufficient resources in voter education and sustained political engagement?

12. Government Transparency, Accountability and Public Investment

Priority: High

Government accountability should be a central component of Palm Beach County’s political agenda.

Important issues include:

• Transparency in government contracts.
• Equitable distribution of public resources.
• Representation on influential boards.
• Oversight of economic development incentives.
• Ethical conduct by elected officials.
• Public participation in budget decisions.
• Measuring the effectiveness of government programs.

Political accountability question:
Are county and municipal governments investing taxpayer dollars in ways that produce measurable improvements for historically underserved communities?