"FairDistricts" 5 and 6 were approved by voters in November. "FairDistricts" will end the practice of gerrymandering by both political powers and end the process by which legislators draw tailor-made districts for themselves and their cronies ensuring their perpetual reelection.
As a candidate Rick Scott ran as an outsider and said “Clearly, I believe in accountability, so I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that the citizens of the state feel comfortable that the things the state’s involved in are done fairly, honestly and with transparency.”
In his Nov. 2nd victory speech, Rick Scott declared "today is the end of politics as usual in Tallahassee."
One day after being sworn in on Jan. 5th, Gov. Rick Scott wasted no time announcing his appointment of Kurt Browning as Florida’s Secretary of State. Browning will now oversee Florida’s 2012 elections. Prior to his appointment, Browning led "Protect Your Vote", a political committee largely bankrolled by the Republican Party of Florida and created to defeat Florida’s “Fair Districts” amendments 5 and 6.
Yesterday the Miami Herald reported that on Jan. 7th, just three days after taking office, Gov. Rick Scott secretly withdrew Florida’s federal preclearance application for "FairDistricts".
By secretly withdrawing Florida’s application for "FairDistricts", Governor Scott is clearly trying to delay and obstruct the will of the 63% of Floridians who overwhelmingly voted for and passed the constitutional amendments in November.
End of politics as usual in Tallahassee? Accountability? Fairness? Honesty? Transparency?
Speaker Dean Cannon and Senate President Mike Haridopolos have appointed to oversee Florida's districts State Rep. Will Weatherford and State Sen. Don Gaetz. They were also members of groups explicitly created to defeat Amendments 5 and 6.
In a rare showing of bipartisanship, Dean Cannon has even come to the aide of Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville announcing the Florida House of Representatives has signed on to her lawsuit challenging "FairDistricts". Our tax dollars will now pay for Corrine's lawsuit which says "FairDisticts" violate voting rights laws.
3.1 million voters spoke in November but the Governor and our representatives in Tallahassee apparently feel they don't have to listen. They abuse the power of their offices and care only about preserving their seats at all costs regardless what the people want. This is how a fascist state operates not a democracy.
I urge all 3.1 million Floridians who voted for "FairDistricts" to contact Governor Rick Scott, Senate President Mike Haridopolos, and Speaker Dean Cannon.
Remind them Florida isn't a Kingdom.
Demand Gov. Rick Scott immediately resubmit the "FairDistricts" application for preclearance.
Demand Speaker Dean Cannon stop wasting tax payer dollars paying for Corrine Brown's lawsuit.
Contact Gov. Scott
Office of Governor Rick Scott
State of Florida
The Capitol
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
(850) 488-7146
http://www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/email-the-governor/
House Speaker Dean Cannon
420 The Capitol 402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: (850) 488-2742
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/sections/representatives/emailrepresentative.aspx?MemberId=4340&SessionId=64
Senate President Mike Haridopolos
PO Box 33326
Indialantic, FL 32903
District Office
3270 Suntree Boulevard
Suite 122
Melbourne, FL 32940
(321) 752-3131
Capitol Office
420 Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399
(850) 487-5056
mike@senatormike.com
GAME OVER! I initially agreed with the fair districts of which I myself cast a vote for. BUT!!!! considering the tactics of liberals in their own gerrymandering states, and the forked tongued deception of the media, of which still have many trusting their deciept. Liberals play by NO RULES. The constitution, and wiil of the people are irrelevent to liberal orthodoxy. So now the gloves are off. Whine all you want hypocrites. Liberals own rigid, and inflexible beliefs brought this on. Liberals will stop at absolutely nothing to rewrite the constitution in their own image. The battle for this nations Constitution, and soul are on.
ReplyDeleteAs often as Vicki blogs about her gerrymandering issue I will ask her this question: Vicki, are you against ALL gerrymandering, or just that which you want to be against?
ReplyDeleteI know you will not reply because the truth would make you look bad.
Thank you Richard White for supporting me and my lawsuit with your tax dollars!
ReplyDeleteThis is a non-partisan issue. 63% of Floridians voted for it from both parties. Now it is time for our elected officials to govern fairly. That means that the redistricting must begin now. This is for the good of all in the state.
ReplyDeleteUhhh, let me get this right. A ballot measure won. Because the new elected Gov. Rick doesn't like it, even though it was on the same ballot he was elected on, it doesn't have to go into effect. Does that mean that he doesn't get to be Gov. Rick? I say do over.
ReplyDeleteIsn't this the same "Whine" as yesterday only with names and addresses added ?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous January 26, 2011 2:51 PM
ReplyDeleteFor at least the 4th time YES I object to all gerrymandering.
Corrine Brown....No problem. My tax dollars also go to the abomination of stem cell research also. Anything I can do to help.
ReplyDeleteVicki Impoco: thanks for your continued intelligent discourse on matters of democracy. Incredulous as it seems, the Governor and FL legislature seem determined to prevent implementation of 'Fair Districts' Amendments 5 & 6!
ReplyDeleteCitizen action may be the only thing that will cause the greater public interest to be served and political manipulation of voting district boundaries -- gerrymandering -- by either party, to be curtailed.
Sign me: anonymous advocate for true representative democracy
(refraining from use of name because you have some 'fans' who are borderline...)
Redistricting Analysis
ReplyDeleteJustin Levitt
1
FLORIDA
(status quo)
KEY POINTS:
The state legislature currently draws both congressional and state legislative districts, subject only to
federal constitutional and statutory limitations.
In the 2001 cycle, the process was subject to unified Republican control for both congressional and state
legislative districts. The Department of Justice objected under the Voting Rights Act to preclearance of the
plan for the state House of Representatives; the 2002 elections for the state House were accordingly
conducted under a court-drawn plan based on an amended version of the map submitted by the state
legislature. The legislature as a whole later ratified this amended plan, which governed state House
elections in 2004 and beyond.
PROCESS:
Congressional and state legislative districts are currently drawn by the state legislature. State legislative
districts are drawn by joint resolution, and not subject to gubernatorial veto; congressional districts are
passed as standard legislation (and therefore subject to veto).
• Independence from Legislators: None.
• Partisan Balance: The process has only as much partisan balance as the legislature itself. It is
possible that each house will be controlled by a different party, or that (for congressional districts) the
governor will be of a different party than a united legislature, but it is also possible that (as in the 2001
cycle) there will be unified party control.
• Minority Participation: The process will feature as much diversity as the legislature itself; the
body’s substantial size makes such diversity relatively more feasible than alternatives dependent on
significantly smaller institutions.
• Public Input: There are no specific provisions for the public to present or comment on plans.
• Timing: It is ambiguous whether Florida law prohibits the legislature from redrawing state legislative
districts more than once per decade; there is no law regulating whether the legislature may redraw
congressional districts more than once per decade.
Redistricting Analysis
ReplyDeleteJustin Levitt
2
FLORIDA
(status quo)
CRITERIA:
Congressional and state legislative districts are, for most purposes, subject only to federal constitutional
and statutory limitations. Florida law further requires that state legislative districts be either contiguous or
overlapping, but this does not provide a substantial constraint.
• Population Equality: The current criteria allow substantial population disparity; some residents’
votes may be more valuable than others. Florida law is ambiguous on whether the count conducted by
the federal census (which counts incarcerated persons where they are incarcerated) must be used for
state legislative apportionment purposes; the legislature has in past years expressly adopted the federal
census count.
• Minority Rights: There are no provisions for minority rights other than federal law.
• Compactness: There is no provision encouraging or discouraging district compactness.
• District Competition: There is no provision encouraging or discouraging competition within a
district.
• Statewide Partisan Balance: If there exists unified partisan control of the legislature (and, for
purposes of congressional districts, the governor’s mansion), that party will have the ability to drive
statewide results favorable to itself. There is no provision otherwise encouraging or discouraging
statewide partisan balance.
• Preservation of Political Boundaries: There is no provision encouraging or discouraging
preservation of political boundaries.
• Communities of Interest: There is no provision encouraging or discouraging preservation of
communities of interest.
• Nesting: There is no provision requiring that House districts be nested in Senate districts.
• Incumbent Residence: The current criteria do not prohibit consideration of the residences of
incumbents, allowing intentional harm (or benefit) to individual legislators, but also reducing the
likelihood of unintentional impact on incumbents.
Redistricting Analysis
ReplyDeleteJustin Levitt
3
FLORIDA
(Fair Districts Florida)
KEY POINTS:
In keeping with a decision by the Florida Supreme Court allowing a single ballot initiative to regulate either
the process or the criteria for drawing districts, but not both, the proposed amendments affect only the
standards for drawing districts and not the process. They would prohibit the drawing of districts with the
intent to favor or disfavor a party or incumbent, and would attempt to preserve minority rights. The
amendments would also demand that, where feasible and not in conflict with the minority-rights objective
above, districts be drawn so that they represent nearly equal population, are compact, and follow existing
political and geographical boundaries.
PROCESS:
Because a single initiative cannot alter both the process by which districts are drawn and the criteria that
govern them, the proposed amendments would leave intact the existing process for drawing congressional
and state legislative districts.
• Independence from Legislators: None.
• Partisan Balance: The process has only as much partisan balance as the legislature itself. It is
possible that each house will be controlled by a different party, or that (for congressional districts) the
governor will be of a different party than a united legislature, but it is also possible that (as in the 2001
cycle) there will be unified party control.
• Minority Participation: The process will feature as much diversity as the legislature itself; the
body’s substantial size makes such diversity relatively more feasible than alternatives dependent on
significantly smaller institutions.
• Public Input: There are no specific provisions for the public to present or comment on plans.
• Timing: It is ambiguous whether Florida law prohibits the legislature from redrawing state legislative
districts more than once per decade; there is no law regulating whether the legislature may redraw
congressional districts more than once per decade.
Redistricting Analysis
ReplyDeleteJustin Levitt
4
FLORIDA
(Fair Districts Florida)
CRITERIA:
The proposed amendments would impose several new criteria on Florida’s congressional and state
legislative districts. First, the amendments would prohibit the drawing of districts with the intent to favor
or disfavor a particular political party or incumbent. They would also prohibit districts drawn with the
intent or result of abridging the equal opportunity of minorities to participate in the political process or elect
representatives of choice.
The proposal also requires districts to abide by additional criteria, where they do not conflict with the
standards above. It adds a mandate to draw districts as nearly equal in population as practicable, a mandate
to draw districts that are compact, and a mandate to draw districts that follow existing political and
geographical boundaries where feasible.
• Population Equality: Though the proposal does not correct the existing inequity in the federal census
count (which counts incarcerated persons where they are incarcerated), it should substantially reduce
the likelihood of substantial population disparities. The proposal also contains a safety valve allowing
limited flexibility to create districts slightly smaller or larger than average, where necessary to avoid
diluting minority opportunities.
• Minority Rights: The proposal creates a minority rights provision that echoes the federal Voting
Rights Act, but is not tied to that Act, thereby providing independent state protection for racial or
language minority populations.
• Compactness: The proposal creates a general requirement that districts be compact, where doing so
does not undermine minority rights. This requirement, however, is not further defined and may be
difficult to enforce.
• District Competition: The proposal forbids the drawing of districts with the intent to favor or
disfavor a political party or incumbent, which may, with a credible judicial threat of enforcement,
discourage blatant attempts to gerrymander districts in order to avoid competition.
• Statewide Partisan Balance: The proposal forbids the drawing of districts with the intent to favor or
disfavor a political party or incumbent, which may, with a credible judicial threat of enforcement,
discourage blatant attempts to create an artificially imbalanced statewide plan.
• Preservation of Political Boundaries: The proposal favors the preservation of political and
geographical boundaries, where feasible, and where doing so does not abridge the rights of minority
populations. Though the initiative text itself does not define the political boundaries in question, the
ballot summary refers to city and county lines, which may influence later judicial interpretations of the
provision.
• Communities of Interest: There is no provision expressly concerning communities of interest.
• Nesting: There is no provision requiring that House districts be nested in Senate districts.
• Incumbent Residence: The proposal does not prohibit consideration of the residences of incumbents,
but it does forbid drawing districts with the intent to favor or disfavor a particular incumbent.
Allowing the consideration of incumbents’ residence should reduce any likelihood of an unintentional
impact on incumbents.
It is so upsetting that the voters speak their mind on Amendments and the politicians don't like what we have to say so they back door their wishes anyway. I really wish I knew how to stop that behavior.
ReplyDeleteDidn't I read this article, worded almost identically, in the Orlando Sentinel yesterday. I believe it was originally written by Rod Smith.
ReplyDeletehttp://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2011/01/rod-smith-blasts-scotts-fair-districts-delay.html
“The House believes its constitutional authority has been impeded by Amendment 6,” a spokeswoman for state House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, tells Tallahassee journalist Gary Fineout, responding to news that the Florida House is asking to join a lawsuit seeking to block one of two popular anti-gerrymandering measures approved by Florida voters last November.
ReplyDeletehttp://floridaindependent.com/20053/dean-cannons-team-on-joining-anti-amendment-6-lawsuit-it-is-prudent-for-the-house-to-be-involved
Mike Haridopolos is also trying to sabotage fair districts, to keep incumbents from facing any challenge. He and Scott are opposing the very basis of democracy, that our votes should count.
ReplyDeleteMore whining by liberals.
ReplyDeleteAnon@3:29
ReplyDeleteFYI Rod Smith is the new head of the FL Dem party
Isn't this the same article as yesterday only with different pictures?
ReplyDeleteGet over it, you liberals lost big time in November.
Why isn't Florida Today writing about this?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/gubernatorial/gov-rick-scott-stalls-new-voter-approved-redistricting-standards/1147578
I just called the Governor's office and asked that he correct a mistake, no doubt made by an overzealous junior aide.
ReplyDeleteThe mistake of withdrawing the Fair District document from federal pre-clearance. That's tampering with the electoral process. Certainly a Governor who respects the electorate, who just gave him executive power wouldn't three days later act in secret to thwart the will of the electorate. Would he?
Therefore it must have been some hyper-partisan aide, in a moment of fevered republicanism (is there any other kind) acting alone. Under a moonless sky, who snatched the document from a Federal in-box somewhere. Withdrawing this critical electoral instrument from the federal review process. That's a serious.
Even an elected official so notorious for fleecing hundreds even thousands of former victims(clients) wouldn't stoop so low as to attempt to simultaneously betray the trust of the electorate and enable future gerrymandering, directly against the people's stated will.
Now, granted we've had more than our share of elected villainy, with a nefarious here and a airplane hanger full of bribery there, a university seat over there, but to attempt while his seat was barely warm, to tinker with the very voting system that got him elected, that I couldn't believe. Not of Rick Scott. Look at that honest skull.
So that's why I left word for the Governor to correct this serious oversight, the mischance of some wet-behind the polling booth clerk, and tell him, that we don't tamper with DEMOCRACY like that, here in Florida.
I hope you'll call him, too... It probably wasn't him, who wanted to steal the election, to betray our election system. What for a few bribes and a line or two in a history book? Nobody reads anymore anyway. At least not with the education we provide here...
Could he betray every single voter in Florida, cause after all - "We" just elected him? I gave him a call, and I hope you will too!
We will not see the amendments implemented in our lifetime. Why should our legislators change anything? Just because voters approved fair districts doesn't mean they will do it. This is Florida after all.
ReplyDeleteVicki, thank you for clarifying that you are against all gerrymandering. We can start by dissolving the ridiculous 3rd district, currently occupied by Corrine Brown. If she wants to run again, it should be entirely within Duval County, since you can fit one district in it. Other districts will follow the example given however Corrine's district is drawn.
ReplyDeleteLets pin the tail on the DONKEY with these ASSHOLES!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 3:38 said:
ReplyDelete--Get over it, you liberals lost big time in November.--
In case you did not hear, Fair Districts won with 63% of the vote, despite the efforts by legislators of both parties to sabotage it with a fraudulent counter amendment and an amendment to require a 60% vote (which itself passed with only 52%). It isn't a question of liberal vs. conservative. It's a question of the corruption of both parties versus the right of the people to have their votes count.
Richard: What are you talking about? Vicki gave a reasoned and thoughtful argument. Respond with facts not inuendo and finger pointing. Explain WHY you disagree, not with a third grade name calling tirade. Vicki, You know you have them on the ropes when they respond with name calling and fits.
ReplyDeleteMy God, Gov. Scott looks like one of the aliens from MARS ATTACKS.
ReplyDeleteBut what choice did we have? The choice was between a Medicare cheat who made millions in personal profit, or a former banking CEO whose company made fraudulent mortgages to illegal aliens, then had its hand out for taxpayer money.
We are doomed.
The Cannon - Haridopolos quest for unchecked power continues. Yes we are doomed.
ReplyDelete"The hearing occurred amid increasingly strained relations between the state’s judicial branch and its Republican-controlled Legislature. Republican leaders are still angry at the state Supreme Court for striking a series of GOP-backed initiatives from last year’s ballot, including one designed to undercut a successful petition drive to constrain the way lawmakers draw their own districts"
"The high court ruled last summer that the amendments were misleading or ambiguous, violating a constitutional requirement that amendment summaries and ballot language be clear to voters."
"House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, has called for sweeping “court reform” this spring and Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, said Wednesday that he supports the effort. One idea that has been floated would give the state attorney general – currently Republican Pam Bondi – the ability to write amendments if they’re declared unconstitutional."
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2011/01/as-cannon-vows-court-reform-house-panel-takes-aim-at-judicial-rulemaking.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+news%2Fpolitics%2Fpoliticalpulse+%28Central+Florida+Political+Pulse%29
Great editorial:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/an-end-run-around-will-of-the-voters/1147806
At least the Times is covering this. Nothing again in Florida Today.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/arrogant-state-house-tries-to-throw-out-fair-districts-rule/1147825
Haridopolos, however, said that both Scott and House Speaker Dean Cannon had "every right to engage" at this point.
ReplyDeletehttp://fltrib.com/senate-president-wont-join-house-fight-against-fair-districts
In other words, ignore the will of the voters.
So if you willingly elect a crook to be governor, that makes you a crook also (aiding and abetting).
ReplyDeleteSo there are a lot of crooks in Florida.
Some of you say "get over it, liberals, you lost..."
So you crooks (including your weird looking governor) need to understand that fair districting passed.....get over that!
I'd rather see Tony Soprano as governor. At least he has some ethics.
I still want to know how so many races have a Republican running unopposed ?
ReplyDeleteI still want to know how so many races have a Republican running unopposed ?
ReplyDeleteBecause districts are gerrymandered and opponents don't stand a chance to win. To run against an incumbent in our current gerrymandered system is political suicide. That is what Fair Districts is all about - Giving voters a choice and gives voters the ability to hold elected representatives accountable.
Anonymous 10:55...."I still want to know how so many races have a Republican runnig unopposed?" Good question. I wonder why when a Democrat runs for office they run as a moderate, yet govern liberal? Why does'nt a Democrat run on their liberal principles when running for office, and allow the public to decide if that is their choice? For many years liberals have used every imaginable, and unimaginable tactic to gain political office, and power. The level of deciept would do even the great deciever proud. Liberals will now be met with the same resolve as they have shown. In 2012 Conservatives, moderates, and blue dog Democrats will send radical liberalism where it belongs. The radical, extremist fringes of which they belong.
ReplyDeleteWhat liberals Richard? Thanks to gerrymandering in the last 6 years, there have been 420 elections for State Senator and State Representative. Only three incumbents have been defeated.
ReplyDeleteWhat liberals? Suzanne Kosmas, Alan Grayson, Charlie Crist, and in 2012, Bill Nelson will be shown the same exit door. There you have it.
ReplyDeleteAnon10:55 back again
ReplyDeleteanon11:02 - that doesn't make any sense. Majority of voters in US and FL are independents. Aren't there any worthwhile Dem candidates ? Or are they all just afraid of losing ?
I read almost daily on here that Haridopolus is just a wicked evil man, but yet he still runs unopposed ?
Spineless whiners, I say.
"The guiding principle (for American government) is that as long as the public is under control, everything is fine. (The traditional argument is) the powerful should gain ends by any possible means. As long as the public is kept under control, public will doesn't matter."
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 4:06 PM said:
ReplyDelete" Majority of voters in US and FL are independents. Aren't there any worthwhile Dem candidates ? Or are they all just afraid of losing ?
I read almost daily on here that Haridopolus is just a wicked evil man, but yet he still runs unopposed ?
Spineless whiners, I say."
Excellent questions Anonymous 4:06 PM and questions we need to resolve.
Please see Fernando's post today
"How politics works in Florida"
What candidate Republican, Independent or Democrat could possibly compete with money machine and fundraising extraodinare Haridopolos?? Even when violating and admitting ethics violations NOTHING is done.
Until money is divorced from politics money will always win. Every time. When was the last time an average person or poor person got elected to any state wide office?
The corporate system has taken over...money buys influence and elections. Poor people and those of us in the middle class don't get representation, only taxation...
Take Congress for example.
In 2009, the Center for Responsive Politics released a report that said that 237 members of Congress are millionaires. That amounts to 44% of the whole congressional body. Only 1% of Americans are millionaires. What this means is that people who represent only 1% of the American population are making laws that impact the other 99%. A good portion of the remaining 46% of its members are still much better off than the average American. That is a balance that needs to be changed.
http://www.publicampaign.org/
Gov. Scott ignoring Public record requests.
ReplyDeletehttp://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2011/01/fla-dems-get-in-line-at-scotts-office-for-public-records.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+news%2Fpolitics%2Fpoliticalpulse+%28Central+Florida+Political+Pulse%29
VICKI. I have an analysis for you to ponder. When Haridopolis runs against Bill Nelson, I gaurantee you that Bill Nelson will raise more money. Every state that is currently under Democrat control is leveraged to keep it that way. Obama won Florida in 2010. Suzanne Kosmas, Alan grayson, and Charlie Crist were sent packing in landslides because of their liberal politics.
ReplyDeleteVICKI. A serious question. If you were running Florida right now. What programs, and services would you cut, to clear up the $5.2 billion cost to Florida the Obamacare mandate will require. The $5.2 billion will be the added cost to the state of Florida alone to cover the additional medicaid expenses. Infrastructure? Education? Unemployment? It is a good question. Or are you just going to wait until the cuts are made, then use it for political gain like the editors at FLORIDA TODAY? The answer to that is as predictable as the sunrise.
ReplyDeleteWhining? Whining is when you don't get something you want. Well, Florida voters GOT what they wanted. Amendments 5 and 6 passed with 63% of the votes;3.1 million people voted YES! The amendments are now in the Constitution. What remains is to have them implemented. But some legislators, who are supposed to be representing their constituents, instead, are using their constituents tax dollars, to SUBVERT THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE!
ReplyDeleteAnd as for our new governor, he is already showing his true colors by his sneaky actions. That is what is to be expected when you elect a crook!
Is this supposed to be democracy?
Are people whining? NO, they are expressing justified outrage!
Still waiting on an answer to the previous question.
ReplyDeleteIf your going to comment Richard, please stay on topic.
ReplyDelete