Senate moves forward on map proposals

Palm Coast Observer
News

Senate staff proposals for redrawing congressional and legislative districts for the next decade could be available this week, while it appears increasingly unlikely that public workshops will be held to take input on proposed maps.

Senate Reapportionment Chairman Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, wrote Monday, Nov. 8, to members of the Senate that he wants initial proposals to be available by Wednesday “to ensure ample time for review.” Rodrigues also asked lawmakers to be respectful of the proposals and mindful of analysis provided by organizations “whose goals could be motivated by improper partisan intent.” Senate redistricting subcommittees will meet next week.

“I recognize publishing staff-drawn maps several days in advance of the select subcommittee meetings will likely result in self-appointed redistricting experts from all political persuasions immediately flocking to the media seeking to push their own narrative about our staff work product,” Rodrigues wrote. “As we know from our work in other areas of public policy, for-profit activists unlike legislators, don’t have notice requirements.” While Democratic lawmakers have argued for public input beyond committee meetings in Tallahassee, Rodrigues wrote that lawmakers can solicit virtual public testimony.

“Constituents do not wait for a public meeting to make their voices heard,” Rodrigues wrote. “As is the case with redistricting, or any other matter before the Legislature, public testimony is one of many ways for the public to impact the process. Many constituents send emails, and letters can be mailed or dropped off to local legislators, and individuals can meet with their local representatives.” Rodrigues also noted that public testimony was required in the last three redistricting cycles because five counties were subject to what was known as “preclearance” under the federal Voting Rights Act. However, the preclearance requirement is no longer in effect after a 2013 U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The Senate Select Subcommittee on Congressional Reapportionment is slated to meet Nov. 16, and the Senate Select Subcommittee on Legislative Reapportionment is scheduled to meet Nov. 17. Redistricting will be a major issue during the 2022 legislative session, which will start Jan. 11.