By James Call
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-988649.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – The House committee charged with redrawing the state's congressional districts met Monday to review maps proposed by Florida voters. James Call reports, the panel also laid the groundwork for how to begin the process of redrawing Florida's political map.
Port Richey Representative John Legg chairs the House Committee on congressional redistricting. Among the decisions he and the committee must make is how to begin to draw 27 districts. Should the committee work east to west, north to south, start on the coasts and work inland or start in urban areas; those are the questions Legg wants committee members to think about before their next meeting.
I wouldn't say it is outstanding issues, I would say it is outstanding approaches to drawing maps. And my subjective view is the more time you spend on this the more alternatives that can come forward with. But I think next week starts that process for some of these decision points.
Monday the committee reviewed district maps submitted by Florida citizens. About 70 people sent their proposal to the committee. Many drew the maps using the Fair Districts guidelines of compactness and keeping municipalities in one district. However a problem did become apparent to central Florida lawmakers. When starting on the coasts and working towards the middle, the process begins to fall apart in the center of the state. Orange County Representative Mike Horner.
Look at the districts where they tried not to split counties, it appears everyone done the natural thing, work from the two ends and when they meet in the middle that is when the splits take place. Is it just my imagination or it looks like they did a great job but when it gets to central florida that is when it gets a little messy. On the maps when they try to hold counties hold. Is that accurate observation?
Of the maps reviewed Monday the observation did seem accurate and that is why Legg wants committee members to decide how to proceed. Because of gains in population between 2000 and 2010 Florida gains two congressional seats. They must be drawn in accordance with the Fair District amendment approved by voters in November and now being challenged in court by the House and two member of Congress. Legg says the lawsuit is not relevant to the committee's work and he wants his members to think about how to begin drawing new districts.
Maybe we want to start with the urban core and move outward and move that way. It is really up to the committee to decide what are those decision points that they are going to want to look at and build these maps
Legg will continue to accept proposals from the public until November 1. Committee members have until November 14th to propose a map. When lawmakers convene next year, the committee will work up three proposals before agreeing to one which it will recommend to the full House.