LWVOC Blow By Blow Blog

What does the 14th amendment say?

We've been hearing a lot about the 14th amendment in the past few days as the battle over the debt ceiling goes down to the wire. I had always thought the amendment dealt with citizenship so I got out my handy pocket guide to the Constitutions of the United States and there it was: 

Section 4 of the 14th Amendment, states: “The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payments of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned.”

Ann Hellmuth, LWVOC president.

 

 

League fears voters will have to wait longer for ruling on elections law

Tallahassee, FL -- Secretary of State Kurt Browning announced Friday that the State of Florida will seek approval of four key sections in the recently passed elections bill, HB 1355, from a federal court rather than the U.S. Department of Justice. This decision comes nearly two months after the state had submitted the bill to the DOJ for review and "pre-clearance" under the Voting Rights Act of 1965.   Amongst the four sections withdrawn from DOJ review are those provisions which LWVF found most objectionable, including statutory language undermining the ability of groups like the League to register voters. Additionally, controversial language limiting early voting and changing the way in which voters update their address on election day was also withdrawn from DOJ review.   On July 15, 2011, the League of Women Voters and others sent a letter to the DOJ requesting that it deny pre-clearance on the grounds that several provisions of HB 1355 could disproportionately and negatively impact the voting rights of minority citizens in Florida.   Now, in the wake of the Secretary's announcement, the League fears that Florida voters will have to wait even longer for a definitive legal decision as to the new law's compliance -- or lack therof -- with the Voting Rights Act.   According to League president Deirdre Macnab, "Today's decision suggests that the state lacks confidence in the legality of these controversial provisions. If Governor Scott and Secretary Browning believe that the bill complies with the VRA, why not allow DOJ to review the entire bill? It's not a coincidence that the very sections the League feels will suppress voter participation are the ones which the state withdrew from DOJ consideration. Although we feel confident that the law will eventually be overturned, today's development will undoubtedly result in unnecessary delay for voters, at great cost to Florida taxpayers."   ###   The League of Women Voters of Florida, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. For more information on the League, visit www.TheFloridaVoter.org.

Link to Maxwell's column

I'm on the run - have to take husband to cardiologist. But here is the link to the Maxwell column I referred to below. Ann H.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-scott-maxwell-redistricting-07291120110728,0,3437625.column

 

What was Rep. Chris Dorworth up to?

During Wednesday's redistricting hearing in Orlando, state president Deirdre Macnab and I couldn't help watching state Rep. Chris Dorworth playing with what looked like an iPad or Blackberry, occasionally sharing the joke with another lawmaker.

Well mystery solved, thanks to the Orlando Sentinel's Scott Maxwell who writes today that Dorworth, who hopes to be a future House Speaker, was looking at a Facebook page belonging to a plastic-surgery clinic in Palm Beach.

According to Maxwell, "The featured image on the PBSurgery's fan page: A bikini-clad woman with a particularly toned tush."

Dorworth's Facebook page showed that he became the 803rd person to "like" the clinic's Facebook page -- and that the message was sent dab in the middle of the redistricting hearings.

Ann Hellmuth, LWVOC president.

 

 

 

Praise for Central Florida team

Just got this message from State VP Pamela Goodman who is directing the redistricting battle.

Dear Central Florida Team,

24 hours later, my blackberry is humming with news flashes and blogs, but most importantly, I finally got to watch you in action with the posted video of the hearings! Award winning testimonies from ALL!!!!

You are all a credit to this organization and to the voters of Florida.... Priceless!!! You have set the bar for future testimonies, and resulting action, VERY high. We are winning the battles one at a time!

Thank you so much again!

With highest regard,

pam

What Michele Levy told the lawmakers

Hello ladies and gentlemen.

My name is Michele Levy and I am the Vice President of the Orange County League of Women Voters. 

I am very concerned that the Legislature is holding these 26 hearings around the state in an attempt to get useful feedback and comments from the citizens, but no maps, drawn by the legislators, are being provided for citizens to comment on. This exercise is a total waste of time and money. Other states have had public hearings to allow citizens the opportunity to comment and provide feedback on the proposed maps. Have legislators drawn these maps yet? If so, where are they, and if not, what are they waiting for? When do they plan to draw them? Or have they already drawn them in some back room in Tallahassee with the intent of springing them on the public during the last weeks of the session, leaving only 3 days for public comment.

As it stands now, these hearings have no purpose other than to make legislators appear to be listening, but they are not giving the public an opportunity for meaningful comment on real maps. Many states, including Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma have already completed or almost completed redistricting, in an open and accessible process. What are we waiting for in Florida?

Thank you

 

   

What Hellmuth said at redistricting session

Here is a copy of my speech at the legislative redistricting hearings on July 27 in Orlando.

My name is Ann Hellmuth and I am president of the League of Women Voters of Orange County.

FIRST a question. WHY WON’T YOU SHOW US YOUR MAPS?

ARE YOU STILL STICKING TO THE EXCUSE that the constitution requires you to draw the districts during the 2012 regular session?

Because that is not true. You MAY NOT VOTE on the maps before 2012 BUT THERE IS NOTHING LEGALLY STOPPING YOU from drawing the maps NOW.

BY DRAWING THE PROPOSALS NOW:
You would give the public time to provide meaningful, informed input and the maps could be brought to the floor as a first order of business. The Legislature would then be able to vote on them by the end of the first week of the session - Jan. 13.

THIS WOULD DOUBLE the amount of time for review by the courts and the Department of Justice, which have 90 days after passage to review them.

AS THINGS STAND it is highly unlikely that districts will finally be approved before June 8 --- the filing deadline for candidates.

IS IT even conceivable that districts may not be finalized until August.? YES.
WHAT WOULD BE THE RESULT OF SUCH A LATE FINALIZATION?
In the words of the legislature’s OWN lawyer: …. “MASSIVE VOTER CONFUSION.”
IS IT YOUR INTENTION TO DELAY THE MAPS UNTIL THE LAST MOMENT TO MAKE IT HARDER TO CHALLENGE THEM?
IT SEEMS AS IF IT IS.....
IS IT YOUR PLAN TO GIVE ELECTIONS SUPERVISORS INSUFFICIENT TIME TO PREPARE FOR elections ….. thereby affecting absentee and overseas ballots, including those to the military?
It seems as if it is.....
IS IT YOUR PLAN TO GIVE Challengers or new candidates little if any time to mount campaigns THUS forcing voters to vote for candidates they have had little opportunity to get to know?
It seems as if it is......

YOU promise a THREE-DAY public viewing period before any votes are taken on a map proposal -- MAY I SAY LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.... YOUR GENEROSITY IS PERFECT NONSENSE. Three days to absorb the details and then give input on a complex subject like drawing maps is ridiculous..

Florida’s elections supervisors and other officials have worked hard to erase the memory of the 2000 hanging chads debacle ….. don’t set them up to fail in 2012 by resorting to backroom politics.

LEAGUE OUT IN FORCE AT HEARINGS

The League had a great turnout Wednesday when about 40 state legislators came to Orlando to hold two redistricting hearings.  LWVOC Vice President Michele Levy spoke first following by president Ann Hellmuth. State president Deirdre Macnab also spoke at the afternoon session. Cheering us on were LWVOC VP Sandra A. Powers, secretary Nancy Rudner Lugo, board members Sarah Goodwin and Carol Davis, member Linda Wells, LWVFL legal counsel Ben Wilcox and Seminole League members elenita Brodie and Patricia Graves. State board member Charley Williams was scheduled to speak at the evening session along with Caroline Emmons Schramm.

Macnab says voters are being set up

Deidre Macnab, president of the League of Women Voters of Florida, got in some good jabs about the Fair Districts hearings in an Orlando Sentinel opinion column. In case you missed it here is the link to the column on the Sentinel's website. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/os-ed-redistricting-deirdre-macnab-0720110725,0,52828.story

NOTE THESE DATES

The next Sisters Across the Straits delegation trip to Cuba will be October 16-20, 2011, with subsequent trips in January and March.

The Forever Florida Horseback Safari will take place November 5-6, 2011 in St. Cloud.

Legislative Seminar is scheduled for February 21-22, 2012 to include the 2012 Old Capitol Gala, advocacy workshops, and legislative appointments. Mark your calendars!

Council of Leaders is planned for May 11-12, 2012 in Tampa, featuring a Florida Symphony concert, flamenco at the Columbia Restaurant, and all-day workshops to prepare for the 2012 election. Save the date!

League University will kick off with a pilot at Jacksonville University on October 1, 2011, including candidate and leadership training that is open to the public.