A historic redistricting trial, which some have called the Sunshine State’s version of “Game of Thrones” between Democrats and Republicans, ended this week. For the first time, sitting Florida legislators took the stand — after the Florida Supreme Court ruled they could not claim legislative privilege in such a case. Now we wait for Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis to decide whether there was any underhanded scheming or deception when the Republican-led state Legislature carved up the state during redistricting in 2012. Did they violate the state’s new Fair Districts Amendment?
Judge Lewis could order lawmakers to bring out their crayons again and redraw the state’s district boundaries. Appeals would likely delay any changes before elections in November.
But let’s put the pending decision aside for now. The troubling testimony by key players was at times jaw-dropping and gave the public a unique front-row seat where they saw what looked for all the world like political shenanigans behind the U.S. Census-driven, once-a-decade process of redrawing political districts — in short, the slicing and serving up of power. In this instance, to ensure the election of Republicans throughout the state.
Full Article: Investigate redistricting shenanigans – Editorials – MiamiHerald.com.