As part of Barry University’s Campus Democracy Project (CDP), two Legislative Forums offered students, faculty, staff, and members of the public the chance to hear from and engage with prominent Florida lawmakers.
During her forum, held on September 25, State Representative Dotie Joseph (D–108) spoke about attending her first session of the Florida Legislature in Tallahassee earlier this year. Joseph engaged the audience throughout, encouraging participation as she discussed the positive and negative aspects of the session and offered insights about the current state of affairs. She also spoke about bills she is working hard to pass, including those that would ensure paid family leave, equal pay for women, and adequate funding for public schools. Watch Representative Joseph’s forum here.
Senator Jason Pizzo (D–38) spoke at the second forum, on October 8, sharing his mission for improving a range of issues, including youth gun violence and opioid addiction. Pizzo, a former assistant state attorney, also recounted the recent bills he’s worked to pass. Last year, his bills ensuring sanitary supplies to incarcerated women and enabling arrest based on DNA evidence passed in the state senate. In what he described as “a sliver of justice” for undocumented people, he also proposed an amendment to the sanctuary cities bill that protects crime victims and witnesses. The amendment passed unanimously. Watch Senator Pizzo’s forum here.
Both forums were held in the R. Kirk Landon Student Union and were free and open to the public.
The Campus Democracy Project is a nonpartisan initiative aimed at promoting civic learning and democratic engagement through voter education, registration, and mobilization.