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Jim RosicaOctober 28, 2015

The Florida Senate on Wednesday passed its redrawn district map by a close vote of 22-18, with all 14 Democrats and four Republicans opposed. It’s now up to the House of Representatives to OK the map as is or change it and send it back as the Special Session clock ticks to an end. “We now have […]

Jim RosicaOctober 27, 2015

The “coalition plaintiffs” in the state Senate redistricting challenge announced Tuesday night they were submitting their own redrawn district map – weeks after the chairman of the chamber’s redistricting panel invited them to participate in the map-making process. The Senate set up its own map on Tuesday for a Wednesday vote, one that combines a version of South Florida districts […]

Jim RosicaOctober 27, 2015

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The Florida Senate on Tuesday agreed to amend its proposed redrawn district map with a “sandbox” that again moves the lines in South Florida. The plan by GOP state Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla also happens to ensure he wouldn’t have to run against fellow Republican Miami-Dade incumbent Anitere Flores. The Senate, however, put off a vote […]

Jim RosicaOctober 26, 2015

State Sens. Gwen Margolis and Miguel Diaz de la Portilla have filed their own versions of state Senate district maps, according to the chamber’s redistricting website. Margolis, a Miami Democrat, and Diaz de la Portilla, a Coral Gables Republican, submitted maps on Monday afternoon. Margolis filed one; Diaz de la Portilla turned in four. For details […]

Jim RosicaOctober 26, 2015

The Florida Senate’s second-ranking Democrat has filed five more plans for consideration in the ongoing Special Session to redraw the state’s 40 senatorial districts. The chamber’s redistricting web page shows that state Sen. Oscar Braynon II of Miami Gardens filed the maps Sunday. Braynon, the Democratic leader pro tempore, also is vice chair of the Reapportionment Committee. Its […]

Peter SchorschOctober 26, 2015

Welcome A-Schorsch! After a week at sea aboard the Disney Fantasy, I am tanned, rested and ready to return to writing about the Florida politics. Here are 10 things I think I think about the latest political news from the Sunshine State. Hillary Clinton pretty much locked up the Democratic nomination — Biden not in. Benghazi […]

Peter SchorschOctober 25, 2015

After his testimony in front of the Senate panel on redistricting Friday, a lot of Alachua, Pasco, Sarasota and Volusia voters probably wish Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala was their senator, too. Latvala doesn’t sit on the Senate Reapportionment Committee and instead had to sign up to speak during the panel’s public comment time. During his […]

Jim RosicaOctober 23, 2015

The Florida Senate’s panel on redistricting on Friday narrowly cleared a new map resetting the boundaries of the state’s 40 senatorial districts. The committee’s recommended map (S9090) next will be heard on the Senate floor Tuesday. It was approved on a 4-3 party-line vote. Committee chair Bill Galvano, a Bradenton Republican, said all senators will almost certainly be […]

Jim RosicaOctober 22, 2015

The Florida Senate looks committed to moving ahead with two proposed remedial maps for its districts: One that keeps the current numbering system and another in which districts would be numbered randomly. Still left undecided, though, is the bigger question of whether senators will have to run for re-election if their district lines change. Senate […]

Associated PressOctober 21, 2015

Amid a deepening rift that has split top Republicans, the Florida Senate may require voters in 2016 to pick senators for all forty of the state’s current Senate districts. The move may end a growing and contentious debate that has threatened to derail the 19-day special session that started this week. The GOP-controlled Florida Legislature […]

Tag: Bill Galvano
Helene, early Sept. 27. Image via NOAA via AP.

Senate passes new district map, sends to House

Plaintiffs now say they’re filing their own Senate district map

Senate takes Miguel Diaz de la Portilla map with South Florida changes

More Senate district maps filed Monday

Oscar Braynon files five more Senate maps

Back from vacation, here are 10 things I think I think about Florida politics

Must-watch: Jack Latvala blasts proposed Senate maps in committee testimony

Senate panel barely clears new redistricting map

State Senate moving forward with redistricting maps

Florida Senate may require senators to be on 2016 ballot