This February brings the observation of Black History Month. The Florida legislature's Black Caucus is attempting to push through legislation concerning Health, Safety Prosperity, and Pride.
These four categories make up a combined 59 unique pieces of legislation. Yet midway through the 2022 legislative session, not a single one has made it to the House or Senate floor for a full vote.
At a press conference on Thursday, members of the Black Caucus pointed to the bounty of what they call, "controversial legislation," backed by the governor and conservative lawmakers quickly moving through the process, while their bills remain bottlenecked in committees.
Caucus Chair and Florida Senator Bobby Powell (D-30) stated, "The majority of Floridians are not clamoring for more voting rights restrictions, or government dictating what they can say, what they can question, and what they can learn about their history. Yet here we are,” said Senator Powell. “Legislation focused on ginning up the culture wars is moving full steam ahead while bills offering real help for real people are ignored. This has to change.”
“The historic contributions by Black Americans to improve our nation and our state are legion and legendary,” said Chairman Powell. “But those contributions cannot and should not stop at the history books. We honor Black History month by adding to those contributions with essential legislation that builds a better future.”
With Republicans holding the majority in both the House and Senate, legislative measures pertaining to Critical Race Theory in education, and HB 5, are very different bills put forward by the Black Caucus.
