Join me in Broward County for the 2012. . .
March 15th, 2012 at 2:00 pm
The Coral Springs Museum of Art
2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs, FL
* Refreshments will be served *
RSVP at campaign@tedforcongress.com
Broward Sheriff’s Office screening of the movie Bullied inspires large donation
After watching the Broward Sheriff’s Office screening of the movie Bullied: a Student, a School and a Case that Made History, a man stood in a long line of people asking questions of an expert panel. Instead of a question, he announced that he so believed in the efforts to spread the word about the dangers of bullying and hate crimes, he would donate $25,000 to the cause. Leonard Solomon, 83, of Fort Lauderdale
“The movie made me realize the size of the bullying problem,” Solomon said. “There was a lot that struck me about it – the lawsuit, how lax the school administration was. I knew I wanted to get involved.”
The money will be split among three agencies - the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Anti-Defamation League and BSO – that will use a portion of it for future public screenings of Bullied. There have been three screenings of the movie in Broward County
“In 2010, the Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County donated money on behalf of Sheriff Al Lamberti and BSO’s Hate Crimes/Anti-Bias Task Force to the Southern Poverty Law Center to help produce the documentary,” said Capt. Rick Wierzbicki of the task force. “BSO was the only law enforcement agency in the nation to help produce the film.”
“Thanks to generous donors like Mr. Solomon, SPLC is able to make this documentary film available free of charge to educators and youth workers across the country, said Lecia Brooks of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
“The generous gift from Mr. Solomon will enable the Anti-Defamation League to provide our Names Can Really Hurt Us Assembly program at two high schools in Broward County
For more information about bullying, visit www.sheriff.org/antibullying online. For more information about the film, contact Capt. Wierzbicki at (954) 849-6422. Schools requesting copies of the movie can visit The Southern Poverty Law Center “Teaching Tolerance” program at www.splcenter.org.
Daily Kos, Take On Florida Senate Race
FL-Sen: You think you've seen it all, and then you finally see, well, something else. After GOP primary rival George LeMieux zinged Connie Mack (pretty good, I thought) as the "Charlie Sheen of Florida politics" for his history of drunken bar brawls, how did Mack's camp respond? They responded by, pretty much, defending Charlie Sheen! I know you think I must be kidding—hell, even I feel like I have to be kidding—but I'm not. Mack's campaign manager declared that LeMieux's remarks "mock the tragedy of drug and alcohol addiction." Oh yeah, yeah, good luck with that one!
Meanwhile, Mack's also been taking lumps because he and his wife each declare a homestead exemption on property they own, even though married couples ordinarily are only allowed one such tax exemption. Mack and his wife, fellow GOP Rep. Mary Bono Mack of California, claim that they are "financially independent" from one another, which makes the arrangement permissible, but one expert says that only applies to estranged couples—and what's more, an investigation of the Macks' financial disclosure forms does indeed indicate some entanglements. The Lee County Property Appraiser is investigating the matter, but he sounds ready to whitewash it.Of course, that doesn't mean the issue will recede as a political matter, though it's also interesting to note that it's Mack's own fault that his foibles came to light. He recently stepped up attacks against Dem Sen. Bill Nelson for taking advantage of a tax break available to farmers by allowing a small herd of cattle to graze on some land he owns. Mack's tried to make a big deal of this, but it's boomeranged by focusing attention on his own properties. What's that about people in glass houses not throwing cow pies?
Meanwhile, Mack's also been taking lumps because he and his wife each declare a homestead exemption on property they own, even though married couples ordinarily are only allowed one such tax exemption. Mack and his wife, fellow GOP Rep. Mary Bono Mack of California, claim that they are "financially independent" from one another, which makes the arrangement permissible, but one expert says that only applies to estranged couples—and what's more, an investigation of the Macks' financial disclosure forms does indeed indicate some entanglements. The Lee County Property Appraiser is investigating the matter, but he sounds ready to whitewash it.Of course, that doesn't mean the issue will recede as a political matter, though it's also interesting to note that it's Mack's own fault that his foibles came to light. He recently stepped up attacks against Dem Sen. Bill Nelson for taking advantage of a tax break available to farmers by allowing a small herd of cattle to graze on some land he owns. Mack's tried to make a big deal of this, but it's boomeranged by focusing attention on his own properties. What's that about people in glass houses not throwing cow pies?
FACT CHECK: Obama INCREASED Military Aid to Israel in FY2013 Budget
In recent days, certain Republicans have been making desperate claims regarding President Barack Obama's largest-ever military assistance request for Israel contained in the FY2013 budget request. NJDC responded with a "Fact Check" documenting the reality that the President has increased military assistance to Israel in the FY2013 budget. The Associated Press also examined GOP claims about the President's largest-ever request for Israel, and their findings track closely with our own. They note that despite how some members of Congress have protested, their "election-year claim fails to take into account the billions the administration wants in aid for the Mideast ally and ignores a few Washington realities." Click here to read the AP's fact check. Click here to read NJDC's statement on the GOP's latest smears of Obama's Israel record.
The Florida Supreme Court is divided over how to proceed with a review of legislative redistricting.
The Florida Supreme Court is divided over how to proceed with a review of legislative redistricting.
By a narrow 4-3 vote the justices on Tuesday agreed they need to know where incumbent lawmakers live. That's because a new amendment to the Florida Constitution prohibits the Legislature from intentionally favoring incumbents.
Challengers, including Democrats and groups that backed the Fair District amendment, contend the Republican-controlled Legislature violated that ban.
Chief Justice Charles Canady and Justice Ricky Polston argued the justices don't need the addresses because their review should be "extremely limited."
That echoed written arguments submitted by the House, Senate and Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Justice R. Fred Lewis did not explain his reason for dissenting.
The high court has scheduled three hours of oral argument for Feb. 29.
We Need A Texting And Driving Law In Florida
Guest Post From Andy Pilgrim
I am a Florida registered voter and resident of Boca Raton. I am considered an expert in the field of driver education. I am also a professional race driver.
I was recently stunned to read, that certain Florida Legislators believe a law against Texting While Driving would be an unreasonable infringement of personal liberties to the texting drivers.
Every day in this country; texting drivers crash into other vehicles and grossly infringe on those innocent drivers personal liberties; by not allowing them to drive in safety.
Legislators; there are laws to stop a gun owner pointing their gun out of the window of a house, closing their eyes and pulling the trigger and I am sure you are ok with that particular infringement of personal liberties, because it makes perfect, reasonable sense. Are you seriously going to tell me that driving a 3,000 to 5,000lb vehicle at any speed on our roads with your eyes effectively closed (eyes down to text) is any different than irresponsible gun use? Of course not.Law enforcers in 35 States are coming up with imaginative ways to enforce new anti-texting laws.
If any elected official continues to stop and entangle reasonable legislation on the texting while driving problem; then I hope each of you takes full responsibility for every texting driver in Florida, who will continue to text while driving, with complete immunity. It doesn’t really help to prosecute someone after the texting driver kills someone, now does it Legislators?
Sincerely, concerned road user
Florida Congressman and Republican Senate candidate Connie Mack has had lots of problems — with borrowing, spending, his ex-wife and bar fights
Marc Caputo's exhaustive look at GOP Rep. Connie Mack's long history of questionable finances and multiple violent incidents when he was younger brings the complete picture into full view and is worth a read. On one occasion when he was 21, Mack actually told a cop who was arresting him after he became abusive toward workers at a nightclub: "You don’t know who I am!" Another time, a few years later, he managed to provoke a bar fight with major league baseball player Ron Gant, then an outfielder for the Atlanta Braves. And that's just the rock-`em, sock-`em bits. There's more on the financial front as well, all of which serve to make Mack look like quite the entitled son of privilege.
READ MORE.....
READ MORE.....
The War on Women goes on and on.
Join us to express outrage on Saturday, February 18, 9am, Federal Hwy and Atlantic Blvd. We’ll have signs or bring your favorite or make one when you get here. We need your voice!
The War on Women goes on and on. Rep. Darrell Issa refused to let women testify in front of his committee on women’s health care, calling it a hearing on President Obama’s policy about religion. The people testifying were all-male religious leaders. Virginia just passed the forced trans-vaginal ultrasound requirement for women to get an abortion. The governor will sign it. It amounts to state-sanctioned rape. Virginia joins Texas and Iowa in this despicable transgression against women. Sixteen states have passed the Personhood Amendment.
See you Saturday.
Maggie
Maggie Davidson, President
Democratic Women’s Club of Northeast Broward
Robin Bartleman Campaign Kick Off Invitation
I want to thank everyone for their overwhelming support for my campaign for reelection to the Broward County School Board. I believe public education is the great equalizer in this country and that every child deserves the best education. As a former classroom teacher and assistant principal, this has been the pinnacle of my career and there is still work to be done! I am truly honored that you agreed to serve on my host committee and appreciate your willingness to assist me. I have attached the invitation to this email. Please send it to your personal and professional email lists. This is a county-wide, non-partisan campaign so I hope to have guests from all over Broward! I have
Hawk’s Landing
also listed my home address for those who are unable to attend and would like to make a contribution to my campaign.
Host/Hostess Committee
|
Invites you to join them at a Campaign Kick-Off
in honor of School Board Member
Robin Bartleman
On Thursday, March 8, 2012
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
at the home of Diane Weinbrum
10808 Golden Eagle Ct.
| |
Plantation, FL
Political Advertisement Paid for and Approved by Robin Bartleman for School Board, District 9.
The purchase of a ticket for, or a contribution to, the campaign fundraiser is a contribution to the campaign for Robin Bartleman,
candidate for re-election for School Board, District 9.
also listed my home address for those who are unable to attend and would like to make a contribution to my campaign.
I look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday - March 8 at 5:30-7:00!
Robin Bartleman
In-kind Approved by Robin Bartleman for School Board, Non-Partisan District 9
Rep. Wasserman Schultz Encourages Heart Disease Screenings at Local Cancer Center
It’s the leading cause of death for women in the United States, affecting one in every four women. More women die of heart disease than all forms of cancer combined.
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-20) wants women to be aware of the dangers of heart disease and learn how to prevent it. She believes educating constituents during National Heart Month is the first step, which is why she held a news conference at Mount Sinai Medical Center, one of the top institutes in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases in South Florida.
Joining her at the news conference were Dr. Gervasio Lamas, the chief of the Columbia University Division of Cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center & Miami Heart Institute, and two heart disease patients, Judith Anton and Elizabeth Cooper. Anton, a retired school principal, suffered her first silent heart attack at the age of 57. Cooper is the mother of two young children and was born with a congenital heart disease. She had her most recent open-heart surgery last summer when she was 38 years old.
As a breast cancer survivor, Rep. Wasserman Schultz has been a strong advocate for educating women about the importance of getting regular medical checkups and screenings. She recently signed onto the “Heart Disease Education, Analysis, Research, and Treatment for Women Act” (H.R. 3526).
Florida Dems Stop GOP from Privatizing Prisons
UPDATE: Senate defeats prison privatization bill
http://www.postonpolitics.com/2012/02/senate-defeats-prison-privatization-bill/
In a huge blow to Governor Scott's Tea Party agenda, Democrats stopped Scott from awarding a large taxpayer contract to one of the GOP's top political donors. In doing so, they averted the loss of thousands of jobs, the devastation of communities in rural Florida and avoided putting our state's hardworking correctional officers at risk.
Will you join me in thanking our Democratic leaders for their hard work to defeat this bill? Click to here to sign your name to this "thank you" card.
When we stand strong and fight back, we win. Will you sign the card and then forward it to five of your friends?
Thank you for your advocacy and support.
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Chairman Rod Smith
With the backing of Gov. Rick Scott, Senate leaders wanted to privatize 27 prisons and work camps in 18 South Florida counties.
A similar plan, tucked into last year's budget, was struck down as unconstitutional in August by a state judge, so lawmakers are trying again, this time with a stand-alone bill (SB 2038).
Florida Democratic Party Redistricting Lawsuit
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE
SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND
FOR LEON COUNTY, FLORIDA
SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND
FOR LEON COUNTY, FLORIDA
| Plaintiffs, v. RICK SCOTT, in his official capacity as Governor of the State of Florida, KURT BROWNING, in his official capacity as Florida Secretary of State, and PAM BONDI, in her official capacity as Attorney General of the State of Florida, Defendants. | CASE NO. ____________ |
COMPLAINT
INTRODUCTION
1. Plaintiffs bring this action to challenge the constitutionality of Florida’s congressional reapportionment plan, Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1174 (“2012 Congressional Plan”), and the constitutionality of individual districts in the 2012 Congressional Plan.
2. Article III, Section 20 of the Florida Constitution provides the standards for reapportionment of Florida’s congressional districts. Unfortunately, in conducting the 2012 congressional reapportionment process, the Florida Legislature violated these constitutional requirements. Plaintiffs bring this action to ensure that Florida’s congressional districts and reapportionment plan abide by the fair, neutral, and constitutionally-mandated requirements of Article III, Section 20.
PARTIES
3. Plaintiffs Rene Romo, Benjamin Weaver, Jessica Barrett, June Keener, Richard Quinn Boylan, William Everett Warinner, and Bonita Agan are citizens of the United States and residents and qualified voters in the State of Florida.
4. Plaintiff Rene Romo resides at 626 Caroline Street in Key West, Florida. Under the 2012 Congressional Plan, she resides in Congressional District 26.
5. Plaintiff Benjamin Weaver resides at 1649 Stockton Street in Jacksonville, Florida. Under the 2012 Congressional Plan, he resides in Congressional District 4.
6. Plaintiff William Everett Warinner resides at 306 NE 5th Avenue in Gainesville, Florida. Under the 2012 Congressional Plan, he resides in Congressional District 5.
7. Plaintiff Jessica Barrett resides at 217 Palm Avenue in Auburndale, Florida. Under the 2012 Congressional Plan, she resides in Congressional District 10.
8. Plaintiff June Keener resides at 9424 Via Segovia in New Port Richey, Florida. Under the 2012 Congressional Plan, she resides in Congressional District 12.
9. Plaintiff Richard Quinn Boylan resides at 2950 Alton Drive in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Under the2012 Congressional Plan, he resides in Congressional District 13.
10. Plaintiff Bonita Agan resides at 251 Driftwood Road SE in St. Petersburg, Florida. Under the 2012 Congressional Plan, she resides in Congressional District 14.
11. Defendant Rick Scott is the Governor of the State of Florida. In his official capacity, Governor Scott is the chief executive officer of the State of Florida and is charged with ensuring that the laws are faithfully executed. Defendant Scott further has the power to veto or approve and sign into law congressional reapportionment legislation.
12. Defendant Kurt Browning is the Secretary of State for the State of Florida. In his official capacity, Defendant Browning is the chief elections officer for the State of Florida and is charged with administering Florida election laws.
13. Defendant Pam Bondi is the Attorney General of the State of Florida. In her official capacity, Defendant Bondi is the chief legal officer of the State of Florida.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
14. This Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to Article V, Section 5(b) of the Florida Constitution, and has authority to grant declaratory and injunctive relief pursuant to Fla. Stat. §§ 86.011 and 26.012(3) respectively.
15. Venue is proper in Leon County pursuant to Fla. Stat. § 47.011.
FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS
16. On November 2, 2010, Florida voters overwhelmingly voted to amend Florida’s Constitution to include a provision requiring that fair and neutral standards be used when drawing congressional district lines.
17. The congressional reapportionment provision, designated “Amendment 6” on the ballot and now contained in Article III, Section 20 of the Florida Constitution, provides:
SECTION 20. Standards for establishing congressional district boundaries.—In establishing congressional district boundaries:
(a) No apportionment plan or individual district shall be drawn with the intent to favor or disfavor a political party or an incumbent; and districts shall not be drawn with the intent or result of denying or abridging the equal opportunity of racial or language minorities to participate in the political process or to diminish their ability to elect representatives of their choice; and districts shall consist of contiguous territory.
(b) Unless compliance with the standards in this subsection conflicts with the standards in subsection (a) or with federal law, districts shall be as nearly equal in population as is practicable; districts shall be compact; and districts shall, where feasible, utilize existing political and geographical boundaries.
(c) The order in which the standards within subsections (a) and (b) of this section are set forth shall not be read to establish any priority of one standard over the other within that subsection.
18. On February 9, 2012, the Florida Legislature passed the 2012 Congressional Plan.
19. On information and belief, Defendant Rick Scott imminently will sign the 2012 Congressional Plan into law.
20. The 2012 Congressional Plan violates multiple aspects of Article III, Section 20 of the Florida Constitution and deprives Plaintiffs of rights guaranteed them by the Florida Constitution. In particular, the 2012 Congressional Plan:
a. was drawn with the intent to favor a political party;
b. was drawn with the intent to disfavor a political party;
c. was drawn with the intent to favor certain incumbents;
d. was drawn with the intent to disfavor certain incumbents;
e. was drawn with the intent to deny or abridge the equal opportunity of racial and language minorities to participate in the political process;
f. was drawn with the intent to diminish the ability of racial and language minorities to elect representatives of their choice;
g. was drawn with the result of denying or abridging the equal opportunity of racial and language minorities to participate in the political process;
h. was drawn with the result of diminishing the ability of racial and language minorities to elect representatives of their choice;
i. contains districts that are not compact; and
j. contains districts that fail to utilize existing political and geographical boundaries where feasible.
21. Congressional District 4 under the 2012 Congressional Plan violates multiple aspects of Article III, Section 20 of the Florida Constitution and deprives Plaintiffs of rights guaranteed them by the Florida Constitution. In particular, Congressional District 4:
a. was drawn with the intent to favor a political party;
b. was drawn with the intent to disfavor a political party;
c. was drawn with the intent to favor an incumbent;
d. was drawn with the intent to deny or abridge the equal opportunity of racial and language minorities to participate in the political process;
e. was drawn with the intent to diminish the ability of racial and language minorities to elect representatives of their choice;
f. was drawn with the result of denying or abridging the equal opportunity of racial or language minorities to participate in the political process;
g. was drawn with the result of diminishing the ability of racial and language minorities to elect representatives of their choice;
h. is not compact; and
i. fails to utilize existing political and geographical boundaries where feasible.
22. Congressional District 5 under the 2012 Congressional Plan violates multiple aspects of Article III, Section 20 of the Florida Constitution and deprives Plaintiffs of rights guaranteed them by the Florida Constitution. In particular, Congressional District 5:
a. was drawn with the intent to favor a political party;
b. was drawn with the intent to disfavor a political party;
c. was drawn with the intent to favor an incumbent;
d. was drawn with the intent to deny or abridge the equal opportunity of racial and language minorities to participate in the political process;
e. was drawn with the intent to diminish the ability of racial and language minorities to elect representatives of their choice;
f. was drawn with the result of denying or abridging the equal opportunity of racial or language minorities to participate in the political process;
g. was drawn with the result of diminishing the ability of racial and language minorities to elect representatives of their choice;
h. is not compact; and
i. fails to utilize existing political and geographical boundaries where feasible.
23. Congressional District 10 under the 2012 Congressional Plan violates multiple aspects of Article III, Section 20 of the Florida Constitution and deprives Plaintiffs of rights guaranteed them by the Florida Constitution. In particular, Congressional District 10:
a. was drawn with the intent to favor a political party;
b. was drawn with the intent to disfavor a political party;
c. was drawn with the intent to favor an incumbent;
d. was drawn with the intent to deny or abridge the equal opportunity of racial and language minorities to participate in the political process;
e. was drawn with the intent to diminish the ability of racial and language minorities to elect representatives of their choice;
f. was drawn with the result of denying or abridging the equal opportunity of racial or language minorities to participate in the political process;
g. was drawn with the result of diminishing the ability of racial and language minorities to elect representatives of their choice;
h. is not compact; and
i. fails to utilize existing political and geographical boundaries where feasible.
24. Congressional District 12 under the 2012 Congressional Plan violates multiple aspects of Article III, Section 20 of the Florida Constitution and deprives Plaintiffs of rights guaranteed them by the Florida Constitution. In particular, Congressional District 12:
a. was drawn with the intent to favor a political party;
b. was drawn with the intent to disfavor a political party;
c. was drawn with the intent to favor an incumbent;
d. is not compact; and
e. fails to utilize existing political and geographical boundaries where feasible.
25. Congressional District 13 under the 2012 Congressional Plan violates multiple aspects of Article III, Section 20 of the Florida Constitution and deprives Plaintiffs of rights guaranteed them by the Florida Constitution. In particular, Congressional District 13:
a. was drawn with the intent to favor a political party;
b. was drawn with the intent to disfavor a political party;
c. was drawn with the intent to favor an incumbent;
d. was drawn with the intent to deny or abridge the equal opportunity of racial and language minorities to participate in the political process;
e. was drawn with the intent to diminish the ability of racial and language minorities to elect representatives of their choice;
f. was drawn with the result of denying or abridging the equal opportunity of racial or language minorities to participate in the political process;
g. was drawn with the result of diminishing the ability of racial and language minorities to elect representatives of their choice; and
h. fails to utilize existing political and geographical boundaries where feasible.
26. Congressional District 14 under the 2012 Congressional Plan violates multiple aspects of Article III, Section 20 of the Florida Constitution and deprives Plaintiffs of rights guaranteed them by the Florida Constitution. In particular:
a. was drawn with the intent to favor a political party;
b. was drawn with the intent to disfavor a political party;
c. was drawn with the intent to favor an incumbent;
d. was drawn with the intent to deny or abridge the equal opportunity of racial and language minorities to participate in the political process;
e. was drawn with the intent to diminish the ability of racial and language minorities to elect representatives of their choice;
f. was drawn with the result of denying or abridging the equal opportunity of racial or language minorities to participate in the political process;
g. was drawn with the result of diminishing the ability of racial and language minorities to elect representatives of their choice;
h. is not compact; and
i. fails to utilize existing political and geographical boundaries where feasible.
27. Congressional District 26 under the 2012 Congressional Plan violates multiple aspects of Article III, Section 20 of the Florida Constitution and deprives Plaintiffs of rights guaranteed them by the Florida Constitution. In particular, Congressional District 26:
a. was drawn with the intent to favor a political party;
b. was drawn with the intent to disfavor a political party;
c. was drawn with the intent to favor an incumbent; and
d. fails to utilize existing political and geographical boundaries where feasible.
28. On information and belief, absent an injunction from this Court, Defendants intend to and will conduct primary and general elections for the United States House of Representatives on the basis of the congressional districts set forth in the 2012 Congressional Plan.
29. Plaintiffs intend to and will vote in the state primary and general elections to be held in 2012 and thereafter for candidates for the United States House of Representatives. If those elections are conducted by Defendants on the basis of an unconstitutional reapportionment plan and unconstitutional congressional districts, Plaintiffs and all other similarly situated individuals will be further deprived of rights guaranteed by the Florida Constitution.
COUNT 1
(Violation of Article III, Section 20 of the Florida Constitution)
(Violation of Article III, Section 20 of the Florida Constitution)
30. Plaintiffs restate and incorporate by reference the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 29 above as though fully set forth herein.
31. The 2012 Congressional Plan was drawn with the intent to favor and to disfavor certain political parties, was drawn with the intent to favor and to disfavor certain incumbents, was drawn with the intent to deny or abridge the equal opportunity of racial and language minorities to participate in the political process and diminish their ability to elect representatives of their choice, was drawn with the result of denying or abridging the equal opportunity of racial and language minorities to participate in the political process and diminishing their ability to elect representatives of their choice, contains non-compact districts, and contains districts that fail to utilize existing political and geographical boundaries where feasible. As a result, the 2012 Congressional Plan as a whole violates Article III, Section 20 of the Florida Constitution. The 2012 Congressional Plan as a whole deprives Plaintiffs and all other citizens of Florida of the rights guaranteed them by the Florida Constitution.
32. The 2012 Congressional Plan contains districts, including districts in which Plaintiffs reside, that were drawn with the intent to favor and to disfavor certain political parties, were drawn with the intent to favor and to disfavor certain incumbents, were drawn with the intent to deny or abridge the equal opportunity of racial and language minorities to participate in the political process and diminish their ability to elect representatives of their choice, were drawn with the result of denying or abridging the equal opportunity of racial and language minorities to participate in the political process and diminishing their ability to elect representatives of their choice, are non-compact, and fail to utilize existing political and geographical boundaries where feasible, all in violation of Article III, Section 20 of the Florida Constitution. These districts deprive Plaintiffs and all similarly situated citizens of Florida of the rights guaranteed them by the Florida Constitution.
PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs request that this Court:
1. Declare, pursuant to Fla. Stat. § 86.011, that the 2012 Congressional Plan deprives Plaintiffs and all citizens of Florida of their rights under Article III, Section 20 of the Florida Constitution, and that the 2012 Congressional Plan is unconstitutional, unlawful, null, and void; or, in the alternative, declare that Congressional Districts 4, 5, 10, 12, 13, 14, and 26 under the 2012 Congressional Plan deprive Plaintiffs and other residents of these districts of their rights under Article III, Section 20 of the Florida Constitution, and that these districts are unconstitutional, unlawful, null, and void;
2. Issue a permanent injunction and judgment, pursuant to Fla .Stat. § 26.012(3), barring Defendants from calling, holding, supervising, or certifying any further elections under the 2012 Congressional Plan; or, in the alternative, enjoin Defendants from calling, holding, supervising, or certifying any further elections using Congressional Districts 4, 5, 10, 12, 13, 14, and 26 under the 2012 Congressional Plan;
3. Hold hearings, consider briefing and evidence, and otherwise take actions necessary to determine and order valid plans for new congressional districts for the State of Florida; and
4. Grant such other or further relief the Court deems to be appropriate, including but not limited to an award of Plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees and reasonable costs.
| | |
| Dated: February 9, 2012 | By: Joseph W. Hatchett (FL Bar #34486) AKERMAN SENTERFITT 106 E. College Ave., Suite 1200 Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Tel: (850) 224-9634 Fax: (850) 222-0103 E-mail: joseph.hatchett@akerman.com Karen C. Dyer Florida Bar No.: 716324 E-mail: kdyer@bsfllp.com BOIES, SCHILLER & FLEXNER LLP 121 South Orange Avenue, Suite 840 Orlando, Florida 32801 Telephone: (407) 425-7118 Facsimile: (407) 425-7047 Jon L. Mills Florida Bar No.: 148286 E-mail: jmills@bsfllp.com BOIES, SCHILLER & FLEXNER LLP 100 SE 2nd Street, Suite 2800 Miami, Florida 33131-2144 Telephone: (305) 539-8400 Facsimile: (305) 539-1307 |
- FL Redistricting: Even though Gov. Rick Scott hasn't even signed the new state's new maps into law yet, the Florida Democratic Party has already filed suit against them under the new Fair Districts amendments to the state's constitution—which forbid legislators from taking partisan factors such as incumbency into account when drawing maps—and other groups are promising to do the same. (The Miami Herald has copies of a couple complaints at the link, include the FDP's.) Without much in the way of legal precedent, it's almost impossible to predict how the courts will rule; I'd say anything from allowing the maps to stand to a radical re-draw is possible.
Meanwhile, there have been a whole number of moves brought about by the new congressional lines, which are summarized in our House section below. We also have a number of Florida-related items you'll want to check out: - Our Google Maps overlay of the new district lines;
- David Jarman's comprehensive, district-by-district analysis of all the changes the new map has wrought, and what it means for Democratic and Republican election hopes;
- Another awesome post from David: our Florida cheat-sheet, a one-stop shopping source for information on who's running where (and which seats are likely to be competitive) for the entire state;
- Our classic redistribution analysis, showing you how the old districts get carved up into new ones under the new map;
- A set of election results according to the new congressional districts, for every statewide race in Florida from 2006 to 2010;
- And finally, a spreadsheet showing which old district, geographically speaking, can best be considered the predecessor of each new district—crucial because the legislature just renumbered the entire map.
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