Florida Gov. Rick Scott stalls new voter-approved redistricting standards

[seafan]

Source: St. Petersburg Times

TALLAHASSEE — Two voter-approved constitutional amendments requiring the Legislature to draw political districts along nonpartisan standards could be jeopardized by one of Gov. Rick Scott's first acts.

Three days after Scott took office, the state quietly withdrew its request that the U.S. Justice Department approve Amendments 5 and 6 as required under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, effectively stalling their implementation just as a Republican-led lawsuit challenges their constitutionality.

At the time, Scott was recruiting as his top elections adviser Kurt Browning, who actively campaigned against the two ballot measures last year while not working for the state. Browning's spokesman said he had no role in the decision.

.....

"More than 3.1 million Floridians voted for these reforms in November, and your actions seem calculated to obstruct their implementation," said former state Sen. Dan Gelber, the Democratic candidate for attorney general in November and counsel to Fair Districts Now. "Further, Floridians have a right to know why their secretary of state and their governor are engaging in a course of conduct so clearly intended to frustrate their will as expressed at the polls."

Read more: http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/gubernatorial/gov-rick-scott-stalls-new-voter-approved-redistricting-standards/1147578

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Rick Scott, following the Jeb Bush playbook, intends to thwart any threat to GOP control of Florida government.

The last 12 years, the GOP has barricaded itself in power in the Florida Legislature. If allowed to continue, the next four may finish this state off for good.

[madfloridian]

1. They are going against what was just voted in. I fear for this state.

[lark]

6. I totally agree, Mad

I have been so very worried about what's going to happen to us ever since election night. I knew he'd do his best to overturn the states election results as far as gerrymandering is concerned. He's unspeakably evil and so many of the people in the state of FL are just stupid teabaggers. Of course there's also the issue of was he really elected or did he bribe the vote counters to show him winning? He totally skewed the whole health care forums by paying people to go from forum to forum disrupting the process - why would I think he'd respect the voting process?

[NC_Nurse]

2. I remain appalled that they electedmthis criminal as governor. Ugh.

[atreides1]

4. Why?

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups!

[TommyO]

3. Yet I thought that these Repukes supported the will of the people?

Oh, wait, that's only when it comes to limiting the rights of others when they push their votes against gay people and our rights, when it comes to going against the will of 3.1 million voters to suit their own power-grab, it's perfectly OK.

[toddwv]

5. They do.

It just so happens that their definition of "people" differs from the standard. You see by "people" they really mean "people who think exactly like we do". That causes alot of confusion.

[Dappleganger]

14. Well said, and welcome to DU.

[DumpDavisHogg]

7. Rick Scott should be impeached

Part of a governor's job is to enforce the law. And he's shirking this responsibility.

[Mugweed]

8. Maybe Rick should resign as Governor

Surely if the will of the people is to be ignored, then it would follow logically that Mr. Scott should ignore the will of the people for him to be Governor. Correct?

[SoapBox]

9. This guy is a crook and scum bag...

...looks like you got what you wished for Florida!

Remember the Bugs Bunny cartoon? Sawing off Florida?

"South America, take it away!"

[Sancho]

10. Rick Scott will go down in history as the worst Governor ever.

It's obvious that he is unethical and manipulative. He also verbally says things all the time that demonstrate disrespect of almost everyone else.

Hopefully he will self-destruct in the first 6-months fighting with his own GOP legislature and staying tied up in court.

Who voted for this idiot?!?! Even my repub neighbors claim they don't like him.

[jeremyfive]

11. Elect a Crook, Then Get a Crook

Florida has had a string of crooked governors recently. It would nice if Rick Scott would do the people's business, instead of the devil's.

[Dappleganger]

15. It's not just the governors...

the judges, the politicians, the city managers--all in bed with their own lobbying firms.

[wordpix]

12. The only answer is WATERSHED DISTRICTS

i.e., a district is dependent on what watershed one lives in. There will be very little gerrymandering when your district's boundaries depend on which way the water flows.

There will still be some maneuvering in areas where a small watershed meets a big one but still watershed districts are a better idea than what we have now. At least there would be a reason beyond pure politics for drawing up districts.

My solution to this problem for what it's worth.

[Dappleganger]

13. Our Dark Lord Governor Voldemort believes he is a dictator...

and is completely thwarting the will of the people of Florida by doing this illegal action. FUCK him and FUCK every person who voted for this right-wing criminal!!