What is Florida's Press Saying About Legislative Leaders' Redistricting Amendment?
Apr 24, 2010
"Nothing short of despicable." "Shows legislators' disdain for democracy." "Everything about it stinks." "Poison pill amendment designed to fool voters."
The legislators' plan to confuse voters and render Amendments 5 and 6 meaningless is being universally skewered by editorial boards around the state. Read the articles below to learn why.
To learn all about redistricting and all three proposed amendments, visit CIVIC's article here. You can take action on that page as well.
Apr 22, 2010 St. Petersburg Times:
Lawmakers aim to take choice out of voters' hands
The St. Petersburg Times editorial board says: "Florida has been dominated for so long by one political party — first Democrats and now Republicans — it's hard to imagine what true competitive elections for Congress and the Legislature might look like. And it appears no one in Tallahassee wants voters to find out. In a shameless, self-interested ploy, Republican legislative leaders and a few Democrats are rushing to try to thwart a pair of November ballot measures that would level the playing field." More
Apr 22, 2010 Panama City News Herald:
End Ink Blots
Panama City News Herald editorial board says "Florida’s November ballot will feature two constitutional proposals that would significantly tie lawmakers’ hands in exercising one of their most potent powers: gerrymandering. Not surprisingly, Republican leaders are reaching for the scissors." More
Apr 20, 2010 Palm Beach Post:
Reject voter deception bill: GOP leaders seek to protect gerrymandering as usual
The Palm Beach Post editorial board says "In a democracy, voters are supposed to pick politicians. In Florida, the political leadership wants it to keep working the other way." More
Apr 18, 2010 Orlando Sentinel:
Fighting fairer elections: Their latest gambit shows legislators’ disdain for democracy
The Orlando Sentinel editorial board says "Legislators love their rituals. For the ruling majority in Tallahassee, none more so than the once-in-a-decade exercise that lets them draw voting districts. They love this ritual because redistricting gives legislators in the majority what they want: job security. That's because legislators in the majority party draw districts in ways that virtually guarantee their re-election, and the re-election of congressional candidates from the same party." More
Apr 18, 2010 Gainesville Sun:
Grasping Power
Gainesville Sun editorial board says "Politicians will never voluntarily surrender political power. But what legislative leaders are preparing to do to thwart a pair citizen-generated proposed state constitutional amendments is nothing short of despicable." More
Apr 15, 2010 St. Pete Times columnist:
Legislature considers a 'poison pill' to nullify citizen petitions
St. Pete Times columnist Howard Troxler says "I suppose there is no point in saying that the Legislature is doing something stinky. It sort of goes without saying." More