WMNF | Two Tampa Bay State Representatives Receive a People’s Champion Nickname after Progress Florida’s 2021 meeting

Two state officials from the Tampa Bay area have been named People’s Champions by Progress Florida for their voting results during the 2021 legislative session. Progressive advocacy gave most of the Democrats A marks, while Republicans got all Fs.

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Representatives Ben Diamond and Fentrice Driskell received two of the six “People’s Champion” awards.

“That is the job. It represents the people and the people we represent, not the strong special interest, ”said Diamond. “I mean, the powerful special interest parties in Tallahassee have armies of lobbyists lining up to try and convince you to come with them on various votes.”

Florida testimonial

Progress Florida publishes its Florida Report Card after each session. The group identifies certain bills that may have either Floridian interests or corporate interests at their center. Each lawmaker in the state is then rated based on how they voted on those bills. That year, 27 votes in the House of Representatives and 29 votes in the Senate were examined.

Amy Weintraub is the assistant director of communications for Progress Florida.

“The majority of our legislators seem to definitely bow to the wishes of large corporations. And of special interest rather than what’s best for Floridians, ”she said. “A quick glance at our testimony makes that clear to everyone.”

Republicans have a strong majority in both houses of the legislature. They outnumber the Democrats 78-42 in the House of Representatives and 24-16 in the Senate. Weintraub said Progress Florida is looking at the merits of bills and how they are voted regardless of party affiliation. Many of the votes analyzed, however, ran across party lines.

“I really wish the Republicans would vote differently,” said Weintraub. “I really wish Republicans would see people first.”

In an email to WMNF, Helen Ferre, executive director of the Florida GOP, said Republicans are not losing sleep over the grades. She said if Progress Florida gives them all Fs it means they did a great job.

“Our Republican lawmakers are right to enact measures that expand family choice of schools, protect our environment, promote change rights, our law enforcement agencies and the rule of law,” she said.

Vote for the people

But Weintraub said a number of bills endorsed and passed by Republican lawmakers were problematic, like HB1601.

“It was essentially set up to allow large sugars to pollute the areas around Lake Okeechobee. It prevents class actions against farmers. That includes big sugar. “

That was one of the bills Diamond was proud of, even if one version ultimately passed.

“I try to have a very good record on environmental issues. Even if there are great interests on the other side. “

The testimony shows a strong political and ideological divide in Florida politics. But Rep. Said there was still hope for bipartisanism. Driskell was recognized for her work which spanned the aisle this year. She will take over the chairmanship of the Democrats in the House of Representatives in 2024.

“We have been able to have these conversations and get people on all sides involved and really make some progress,” she said.

Driskell said the Democrats tried to defy bills like the HB1 protest bill; the ban on sports for transgender girls; and a parental consent law seen as an attack on women’s choice. But with such one-sided representation, they don’t have much power to do business. If more Floridians want to raise their voices, they can do so on Election Day.

“We need a more balanced legislature. That means voting more Democrats so that we are not so inferior. And so that more of these negotiations can take place even with the very big lots. “

A full list of lawmakers, their rankings, and votes considered is available at Floridareportcard.com.

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