By Greg Giordano
One of the consequences of the decennial United States Census is the reapportionment of both federal and state legislative seats. Based on population shifts documented by the census, some states face the loss or gain of members on their respective congressional delegations starting in 2012.
In Florida the number of state legislative seats remain the same, only the boundaries of each district will change. However, Florida gained two additional seats in the United States Congress. Federal funding of many important programs are also impacted by the populations reported in each state. In the Sunshine State the Florida Legislature is tasked with redrawing congressional seats and state legislative seats based on the population numbers reported to the federal government.
During the 2010 general election held last November 2, Floridians adopted two amendments to the Florida Constitution pertaining to the reapportionment process. Amendments 5 & 6 were proposed with the single goal of ending gerrymandering in Florida. Once adopted the so-called “fair districts” amendments require the Legislature to draw legislative and congressional districts that do not favor one party or any incumbent lawmaker. The amendment requires districts to be compact and contiguous and must not discriminate based on race or language.
On June 20th the Senate and House Reapportionment Committee public hearings kicked off in Tallahassee and then hit the road, conducting hearings in Pensacola, Ft. Walton Beach and Panama City. The Committee, formed to hear the thoughts and ideas regarding how legislative and congressional lines should be withdrawn, will meet over two dozen times throughout the state (remaining schedule is posted at the end of this article).
“The key to the success of the reapportionment process lies in the involvement of Floridians in all communities,” Senator Mike Fasano of New Port Richey states. “I strongly encourage each person who has an interest in the effective operation of their state and federal governments to find a meeting and attend it. Your thoughts and ideas may help the committee members tackle the challenges posed by this process.”
After the hearings are finished the committee members must then meet and hammer out the details and present to the their respective chambers the product of their work.
The Florida Legislature will convene in regular session on January 10, 2012 and will conclude on March 9, 2012. Normally the 60 day regular session begins on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March. The purpose of the early start of session during Reapportionment is to ensure that the Legislature’s redistricting plan is passed in time to meet the Florida Supreme Court’s deadline of April 16, 2012 to approve the plan. Once the state’s highest court signs off on the plan it must then be submitted to the United States Attorney General who has 60 days to review it. Barring any objections the Reapportionment plan finalizes on June 15, 2012.
Following the finalization of the plan, those seeking elected office can choose the office they are seeking, file their intent to run and hopefully meet the qualifications for the seat. Winning candidates who run on Election Day in 2012 will be the first officeholders to occupy the newly drawn seats in Tallahassee and Washington. They, and those who may follow after them, will hold those seats until the process repeats itself in 2021.
Schedule of Upcoming Reapportionment Committee Public Hearings:
Monday, July 11, 2011
2:00 – 4:00 PM*
and 6:00 – 8:00 PM*
Florida State College at Jacksonville Downtown Campus
Jacksonville
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
8:00 – 11:00 AM*
Flagler College
St. Augustine
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
6:00 – 9:00 PM*
News Journal Center at Daytona State College
Daytona Beach
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
8:00 AM – Noon*
Colony Cottage Recreation Center
The Villages
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
6:00 – 9:00 PM*
Santa Fe College
Gainesville
Monday, July 25, 2011
2:00 – 5:00 PM*
Polk State College
Lakeland
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
8:00 – 11:00 AM*
Hardee County Civic Center
Wauchula
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
6:00 – 9:00 PM*
Wiregrass Ranch High School Gym
Wesley Chapel
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
2:00 – 4:00 PM*
and 6:00 – 8:00 PM*
Bob Carr Performing
Arts Center
Orlando
Thursday, July 28, 2011
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM*
Brevard County Government Center at Viera
Melbourne
Monday, August 15, 2011
6:00 – 9:00 PM*
Blake Library
Stuart
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM*
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
6:00 – 9:00 PM*
Broward College
Davie
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM*
Miami Dade College
Miami
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
6:00 – 9:00 PM*
Florida International University College of Law
South Miami
Thursday, August 18, 2011
4:00 – 7:00 PM*
Florida Keys Community College
Key West
Monday, August 29, 2011
4:00 – 8:00 PM*
Hillsborough County Commission
Tampa
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
8:00 – 11:00 AM*
EpiCenter at St. Pete College
Largo
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
6:00 – 9:00 PM*
New College
Sarasota
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
8:00 – 11:00 AM*
Naples Daily News Community Room
Naples
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
6:00 – 9:00 PM*
Veteran’s Park Gymnasium
Lehigh Acres
Thursday, September 1, 2011
8:00 – 11:00 AM*
Hendry County Health Department
Clewiston