Florida Republicans seem self-assured entering the Reapportionment Special Session which begins Thursday in Tallahassee. Having been rebuked for drawing unconstitutional districts, the leadership of the legislature seems to have no problem crying that a minor disruption to the election cycle is somehow worse than the citizens of the state being denied fair representation in unconstitutional Congressional districts for two more years. While the potential reopening of qualifying and possible change of election dates impacts the political class and candidates for election, failure to hold a special election for Congress as soon as possible puts the welfare and wishes of the political class, political consultants and political candidates over the people. Denial of fair representation under the Constitution in Congress to the citizens of the state should trump any political consideration. But unfortunately for this legislature, politics often comes before protecting the welfare of Florida’s population.
The leadership of the legislature has been forced into an accelerated timeline for the redrawing of Congressional maps, which is a deadly serious responsibility. Judge Lewis’ August 15th deadline has been made to remedy a problem which was created by the arrogance and deceptive nature of the legislature just two years ago. Yet the game of smoke and mirrors continues this week with the desire of Republican leaders to delay implementation of the new map until 2016. It is after all the legislature that violated the Florida Constitution and the will of the people who voted overwhelmingly to adopt a standard for Fair Districts.
Furthermore, a sense is beginning to prevail in recent days that the legislature may simply make cosmetic changes to the unconstitutional 5th and 10th districts while minimizing the changes to the neighboring districts. Much like 2002 and 2012 the reapportionment processes the leadership seems willing to forestall government in sunshine for the shroud of secrecy. Considering Judge Lewis has already made his displeasure about the secretive behavior of the legislature during the 2012 reapportionment well known and media outlets throughout the state have admonished the GOP’s leadership as well on this score, you would think we would be witnessing the most open reapportionment process in recent memory.
However, we have seen no public plans or alternatives solicited by the legislature, no attempt to get expert testimony from those who have followed past redistricting fights nor an open effort to get information from other states that have similarly worded constitutional amendments on the drawing of districts.
Simply put, the legislature is continuing a reckless course, one fraught with danger on this matter. They are acting like the victims, complaining about the need for a Special Session and the possible disruption to the electoral process, when in fact they are the guilty party. Had they fulfilled their constitutional obligations, we wouldn’t be at this point.
Sadly, instead of being contrite we are seeing more of the same from this legislature. Let us hope that in the coming days, the leadership of the GOP will seize this opportunity and do the people’s work and elevate the debate rather than continue business as usual. Should the GOP leadership do the wrong thing again, Judge Lewis very well might have the final word. Given the conduct of the legislature in ignoring the constitution and the will of the people, that would be well within his rights.
The Florida Squeeze 
Nailed it! Best post in a long time here.
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Tell me which members voted AGAINST this map originally, please.
The Judge set the deadline. Meetings are noticed and open to the public. They have no time to review public proposals, thus the reason public testimony in committee is critical.
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Yes because it’s really cost effective for citizens to get to Tallahassee on short notice. This is all a sham. I hope Judge Lewis slaps them down again.
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I was waiting for you to weigh in on this. Well this was well worth the wait. You absolutely hit a homerun with this posting!!!!!!!!!!!
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They are not even trying to take public proposals. There was no discussion of that. Sure someone can testify in front of the committee but what about actual proposals from the public?
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I think Judge Lewis is on a bit of a power trip. However I agree with the premise of this article. The legislature is responsible for this mess with the arrogance and unwillingness to have an open process two years ago on they had two years to draw maps.
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This is ridiculous. I believe the court should just draw the district rather than letting the Legislature which is proven time and again they cannot do it right the opportunity to do this again.
Good post but you don’t go far enough.
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The legislature is playing with fire here. Do it wrong and the consequences will be enormous.
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This article hits all the points that are needed! I’m emailing this around!
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Some jail time for contempt might generate some respect for the law and the will of the people.
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If Dems don’t present their own maps I will be upset. They need to use this as a club to beat Rs with in the 2014 election.
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Superb and devastating this piece is.
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Great piece. This guy should be the only person writing for this blog
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You know you are doing well when Yoda, err Janet, chimes in.
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Naturally, the redistricting committee introduced a map/bill no one had viewed prior to it’s introduction. Not exactly transparent or surprising.
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[…] Judge Lewis’ decision to force the Legislature to redraw unconstitutional districts the arrogant and partisan nature of Republican Legislative leadership took hold again producing a map that essentially continues the partisan gerrymander of Central […]
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[…] arrogance of the Republican leadership embodied by the whining of legislators about being forced to fix maps that they had so egregiously erred in drawing as well as the willingness to draw a map that was […]
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