Dem leaders Smith and Rich take whacks at Senate redistricting maps

Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith and Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich wasted no time Monday criticizing the proposed redistricting maps for congressional and senate districts released by the Republican-led state Senate today.
"Today, Florida Republicans have taken a state - which experts have long considered one of the most malapportioned states in the country - and worsened it,'' Smith said in a statement. "In doing so, they have chosen to thwart the will of 63-percent of Florida voters by proposing maps that are aimed at incumbent protection and partisan advantage - the very things which Florida's Constitution now prohibits.
"From virtually eliminating the seat currently held by the Democratic Senate leader, to avoiding placing a single Republican incumbent at risk, it is clear the Florida GOP are working overtime to protect their interest ahead of the interest of the people they serve."
Sen. Nan Rich, the Weston Democrat and Senate Democratic leader, watched her district go from a Broward centric district to a Palm Beach centric district, a product of the fact that she is term limited out of office.
"It does appear there is some incumbent protection going on here,'' Rich said. "One of the standards is to not to allow incumbents to be favored. We're not suppoed to be talking about political parties and incumbents but, with this map, somebody must have been thinking about political parties and incumbents"

 

Below is information from the GOP gerrymandering committee:

Today the Senate Committee on Reapportionment published the initial proposals for redrawing congressional and state legislative district boundaries at www.flsenate.gov/redistricting. Plans S000C9002 and S000S9004 are based on testimony heard at the 26 public redistricting hearings held across the state, and reflect the unanimous bipartisan decisions made by committee members who directed staff to draw plans after reviewing publicly submitted maps during our last four interim committee meetings.

 

Because we want to hear what you have to say about our maps, the Senate has opened numerous lines of communication. We looked hard to find a way to host another round of public hearings at locations all across the state, but it was not possible without pushing back the timeline we were repeatedly asked to speed up. Instead, professional staff, in consultation the Florida Channel, came up with what I think is an even easier, more accessible, and more efficient way for Floridians to comment on the new maps.

 

Beginning today, citizens are able to participate by submitting testimony in a number of different ways:

·        By calling 855-FLA-MAPS (toll free) and leaving a message;

·        By emailing comments to RedistrictFlorida@flsenate.gov;

·        By sending comments via Twitter to @Redistrict2012;

·        By posting video feedback on the Reapportionment Committee’s YouTube page;

·        By visiting the Committee’s Facebook page; or

 

These methods for collecting public input were chosen to provide convenient ways for the public to continue to be fully engaged in the redistricting process.  In partnership with the Florida Channel, the feedback received will be broadcast at the next committee meeting on December 6, when the committee formally introduces the legislation. If we get more public comments than we have time to hear during the meeting, we will listen to what we can, and post the entire collection on the Senate Redistricting website.

 

Of course, public input and testimony will also be welcomed at the committee’s next meeting on December 6 in room 412 of the W.V. Knott Building at the Capitol Complex. If you would just like to watch the committee meeting, you can view it online on the Senate’s Media Page or The Florida Channel’s Redistricting Video Library.

 

Your interest and input are appreciated. Please continue to stay involved in whatever way you can.