Some flags ordered to be flown at half-staff for Rush Limbaugh are not, after Palm Beach County declined the governor's directive.
County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay says it would not have been appropriate.
"Lowering flags in our country historically has been reserved for such a small limited number of people and that practice should continue."
She says the honor should be reserved for people like war veterans, first responders who die in the line of duty and members of the government up to and including presidents.
McKinlay says the conservative was hurtful to people in the black and LGBTQ communities.
"We're opening up Pandora's box when we start receiving orders to lower the flags for people whose nature has been incredibly divisive."
The commissioner insists this is NOT a Republican versus Democrat issue.
Florida's statute on lowering flags to half-staff does cite "prominent citizens." The definition of "prominent" in the Oxford dictionary is "important" or "famous," but McKinlay says that doesn't cut it.
"Prominent in a nature that's not divisive."
The governor also ordered flags at half-staff at the Palm Beach Town Hall and the state Capitol in Tallahassee.
Limbaugh was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in February of 2020 by President Trump and holds recognition in both the National Radio Hall of Fame and the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
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