Dean Cannon Questions Judicial Logic on Amendment 7 and Its Effect on FairDistrict Amendments

Incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, commented on a Leon County Circuit Court judge knocking Amendment 7 -- a redistricting measure backed by the Legislature -- off the November ballot.

"Although there was no written ruling, apparently the court found that the purpose or effect of the amendment was to change the contiguity requirement, said Cannon. I respectfully disagree with the court's decision. There is absolutely no basis for this ruling in the amendment's legislative history or record.

Cannon used the opportunity to take shots at the proposed redistricting amendments to the Florida Constitution being backed by most Democrats as well as the FairDistricts Florida organization. However, Amendments 5 and 6 on redistricting will be subject to judicial review later this month, noted Cannon. It will be interesting to see how this ruling impacts the judicial review of Amendments 5 and 6. If the judge here found Amendment 7 confusing, Amendments 5 and 6 probably are as well, since they are far more complicated and have far greater impacts on present constitutional powers and rights."