The Florida Legislature appears a step closer to complying with a state Supreme Court order to re-draw congressional districts: despite opposition from many Democrats and a handful of Republicans.
On a 76-35 vote, the House Tuesday approved the redistricting plan. Twenty-six Democrats and nine Republicans voted against. Considered a “base” map, the plan was developed by legislative staff members and attorneys. It includes changes to districts in numerous parts of the state.
“We feel like the base map produces that. Obviously the Senate has looked at some other things that they think may provide that and that’s a conversation to still take place,” said House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, who contends their version of the map has the best chance of being approved by the Supreme Court.
But the fate of the plan remains uncertain. The state Senate is scheduled to take up its proposed map on Wednesday, which includes differences from the House version, including changes in the 14th and 15th Districts.
Pensacola Republican Mike Hill was opposed to the House map. During floor debate, he said the Supreme Court went beyond its authority in throwing out the existing maps.
“Nowhere in our [Florida] Constitution does it say the court is the final arbiter of our laws,” said Hill. “The Legislative branch writes the laws.”
Lawmakers went into special session last week, after the state Supreme Court ruled in July that eight of the current 27 congressional districts violate the anti-gerrymandering "Fair Districts" standards approved by voters in 2010.
“There are no difficulties that anyone has identified, other than Democratic political operatives, with any of the districts in northwest Florida,” said state Sen. Don Gaetz (R-Niceville). “However, it is possible, because congressional districts are contiguous, that when you move the lines on one district, that it could have a domino effect on the other districts.”
The special session is slated to end by noon on Friday. House Speaker Steve Crisafulli does not expect an extension into next week. But lawmakers will return for a third special session in 2015, from October 19th until November 6th -- to re-draw Florida’s state Senate districts.
