Florida News Connection
Originally Posted January 12, 2022
By: Trimmel Gomes
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.
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.
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