Democrats Praise Amendment 7 Ruling

With a Leon County Circuit Court judge in Tallahassee knocking Amendment 7 -- a redistricting measure backed by both houses of the Legislature -- off the ballot, Democratic leaders are praising the ruling. While there have been some prominent exceptions, such as U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown and Senate Minority Leader Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee, most Florida Democrats opposed Amendment 7, backing Amendments 5 and 6 which are being supported by FairDistricts Florida.

Today, a Florida court has properly recognized the failings and deceit of a Republican-led legislative attempt to undermine the citizen-backed FairDistricts reapportionment ballot measures, said House Minority Leader Franklin Sands, D-Weston. The Leon County Circuit Court ruling is a victory for all Floridians who believe that political districts should not be drawn with the intent of helping incumbents and political parties retain their power.

From its genesis, the Amendment 7 proposal has been a deceptive and despicable display of partisan power-grabbing by Republican legislative leaders, added Sands. I am pleased that the court has recognized that the proposal is seriously flawed and doesnt deserve further consideration.

Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, who is currently locked in a tight battle with Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, for the Democratic attorney general nomination, has been a vocal opponent of Amendment 7 and praised Thursdays ruling.

Todays ruling by the Leon County Circuit Court is a victory for Floridians who are tired of the special interests' control of the Legislature, said Gelber. I fought aggressively this legislative session against efforts by the Republican majority to place Amendment 7 on the ballot. Unfortunately, they prevailed because of the gerrymandered control they have in the House and Senate. The court's ruling vindicates the efforts of so many right-thinking Floridians who want to be able to pick their elected officials, rather than vice-versa."