The 2021 Legislative Session was Florida’s first full-time COVID-19-era Session, marked by restricted access to the Capitol and heated debates over protests and transgender student rights.
But deeply divided ideologies of Democratic and Republican legislators saw one shining light in the bipartisan efforts of House Minority Leader-designate Fentrice Driskell.
The Tampa Democrat saw a major victory in negotiating the passage of police reform bills aimed at greater accountability and transparency to improve relations between police and the public, especially within the Black community.
Driskell enlisted oft-conservative leaning Neptune Beach Republican Rep. Cord Byrd to help pass the measures.
Driskell, a Polk County native and Harvard grad, has shown a pension for reaching across the aisle that has elevated her to House Democratic Policy Chair. In 2024, she’ll become the first Black woman to lead House Democrats.
