Mitch Perry
Senate Majority Leader Bill Galvano characterizes the redistricting situation he’s engrossed in as the most challenging and difficult experience yet of his 13-year legislative career in Tallahassee.
The Bradenton Republican chairs the Senate Reapportionment Committee, and has been intricately involved with trying to work with House counterpart Jose Oliva in coming up with a newly redrawn map of the state’s 27 congressional districts.
After the Legislature ended its Special Session on redistricting last month without coming to an agreement on a newly drawn map, Galvano suggested a “compromise map” to assuage House members’ concerns with the final Senate map. House Chairman Oliva essentially said thanks but no thanks, with the two sides still at loggerheads.
Ultimately, Circuit Judge Terry Lewis has been given the discretion by the Florida Supreme Court to review the maps that came from both the House and Senate. He has scheduled a hearing for Sept. 24.
EThis week House Speaker Steve Crisafulli rejected any attempt to have legislators — or at least House members — return to Tallahassee for yet another Special Session to work on a new map. In a letter sent to House members as reported by Florida Politics‘ James Rosica, Crisafulli wrote, “I do not believe we have fully resolved the fundamental differences that prevented the adoption of a map during Special Session.”
“It’s tough because we’re the test case for the (Fair District) Amendments 5 and 6,” Galvano said. Those are the two constitutional amendments voters approved in 2010 to require the Legislature to amend the state constitution so that districts are compact, contiguous and rely on existing city, county and geographical boundaries.
The Florida Supreme Court ruled in July that the Legislature violated the constitution when it gerrymandered eight of the state’s 27 congressional districts.
“It’s one of the most unique circumstances I’ve ever encountered in my legislative career because everything is being done under the backdrop of the judicial system and we are operating within the confines of a judicial opinion,” Galvano said. The Supreme Court ordered the Legislature to redraw those eight districts within 100 days, which end Oct. 17.
Galvano said he was asked whether Lewis would ultimately be the one drawing the map.
“I said, for the most part, the Supreme Court already has,” Galvano said. “That 172-page opinion was very instructive. So it’s different than anything I’ve ever experienced and yes, it makes it more difficult.”
House leaders have said that Senate map almost certainly would be ruled unconstitutional because it favors Hillsborough County at the expense of portions of Central Florida.
