Dems, Advocates Urge More Public Input in Redistricting

On the Florida Legislature’s opening day, House leaders scheduled separate redistricting committee meetings at the same time – and critics blasted it as another attempt to limit public input.

Republicans in the Florida House, who control the process of drawing new congressional and legislative district boundaries, held meetings Tuesday, specifically for public comment – but both were at 4 p.m. What was scheduled as a two-hour meeting ended in just eight minutes, after only two county commissioners spoke about the redistricting process.

Constitution

Just before adjournment, state Rep. Dan Daley, D-Coral Springs, called on acting chairman, Republican Cord Byrd, R-Neptune Beach, to make a change.

“I can’t help but wonder if there are folks who are currently in the congressional redistricting committee, that was noticed at the same exact time, that are not here today,” Daley said. “So, in the future, if we can just make sure we put them at separate times, I’d like to reiterate that request again. Thanks Mr. Chair.”

Byrd thanked Daley, adding that he would “be certain” to pass on Daley’s comments to House Redistricting Committee Chair Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach.

The Fair Districts Coalition, which includes such advocacy groups as the League of Women Voters and Florida Conservation Voters, had sent a letter to Leek, protesting having less than a week’s notice for the meeting, as well as the geographical limitations and lack of accommodations for anyone with COVID-19 concerns.

The House State Legislative Redistricting Subcommittee was mostly empty, something Acting Chairman Byrd didn’t seem to acknowledge in his closing remarks.

“I’d like to thank all members of the public that traveled here today to share your thoughts on the workshop maps and the redistricting process,” he said. “I look forward to this next stage of our process.”

On Monday, two bipartisan Senate subcommittees advanced four redistricting maps with almost no public testimony. The maps are poised for a vote on Thursday, even as groups urging fair representation call foul.

The post Dems, Advocates Urge More Public Input in Redistricting appeared first on Sunshine Slate.



source https://www.sunshineslate.com/politics/dems-advocates-urge-more-public-input-in-redistricting/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Garden Offices | The Ultimate Work from Home Solution for 2021

Image
The Pros and Cons of Working from Home Working from home was not so long ago considered a perk of the job, however, the much-longed-for 30-second commute, for many of us, has finally become a realisation. Prior to the global pandemic, we would have spent 492 days of our lives commuting to and from work and inevitably, Covid-19 has brought about a catalyst of change. Businesses are now seeing the benefits of reducing costs by giving up office spaces, and with commuting now significantly reduced, one of the biggest winners out of this situation is the environment. With this in mind, there’s no doubt that the “new normal” of home working is, quite clearly, here to stay. The general consensus is that working from home is wholly positive and can provide a better work-life balance. Whilst this is true, there is evidence to suggest that this can be quite the opposite, with staff working later than usual as they battle to “switch-off” when their working day is over. So, what’s the solutio
Read more

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Roof Gutters

Image
The rainy season is already here and along with a hot cup of tea and sizzling yummy snacks in your dish, you should also plan to upgrade your rain roof gutters. Unlike earlier, the task is easy, you can take the help of gutter installation services or gutter repair services in your locality or many such services are available online also. You should have been upgrading your Rain Roof gutters before the arrival of monsoon so as to enjoy the rains without worry. If you think that you don’t need any gutter repair services, let us give you the 7 reasons that prove you wrong. Why Do You Need a Gutter system? According to leading siding and windows contractors in USA, if you want gutter systems? So that it will help lessen water and dampness damage to our homes. But why? Won’t that water just move off my roof structure? Problem solved, correct? Wrong — that’s part associated with the problem: Modern homes are created to preserve or “trap” vitality. That’s good. Although, in the method,
Read more

Magical And Unforgettable 1st Anniversary Gift Ideas

Image
Life is too short to be happy and too long, to be sad. In all these difficulties and hurricanes, we try to steal some happy moments. There are some special dates in our life, which forces us to be happy. And the memory of those happy days, make us smile in every difficult situation. Today, we are talking about one of the most important days of our life. We are talking about the anniversary, and its 1 st anniversary. You know, 1 st thing is always special for us. So today, I will give you some ideas for the 1 st -anniversary gift. You both will cherish the memory of the 1 st -anniversary gift your whole life. And you know, these gifts you can order online, and also get from the nearby markets. Anniversary bouquet I know, you must be thinking, what’s new in it. Everyone gives bouquets, and how can we cherish it? So don’t take too much stress, and read carefully. Bloomsvilla has a mesmerizing collection of anniversary bouquets. So order your better half favorite flower bouquet. I mea
Read more