Politics
‘Bold call’ or ‘corruption’? Florida GOP, Dems split on congressional redistricting
Predictable partisan divisions are emerging on whether Florida needs to again redraw its congressional map.
Amid concerns from President Donald Trump that illegal immigrants skewed the census count in favor of Democratic states and assertions from Gov. Ron DeSantis that Florida was “gypped” out of seats, the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) is emphatically supporting a call for a redistricting Special Session from House Speaker Daniel Perez.
“The Florida Republican Party stands firmly behind (Trump, DeSantis and Perez), who are united in their bold call for a new U.S. Census and subsequent redistricting to ensure fair representation for Floridians,” said RPOF Chair Evan Power.
The process going forward is murky, and it’s uncertain how a fresh census would be conducted and completed in time for the Midterm Elections that could flip the House to Democrats if the current maps stand.
Historically, censuses take years to complete, given the need to ramp up field operations, to give citizens time to respond and to then hire temporary workers to visit those who don’t respond voluntarily.
Nonetheless, Power feels that Florida was shortchanged in favor of other states, amplifying an argument made by DeSantis and others.
“This is about fair representation. The 2020 Census gave Florida a raw deal — undercounting our population and costing us the congressional representation we rightfully deserve. Florida should have received at least two additional congressional seats, but we were shortchanged with only one,” Power said.
“On top of that, illegal immigration has skewed apportionment nationwide. United as we are, we can rest assured our legislature will act swiftly to correct this injustice.”
A new map could target swingier seats held by Democrats Jared Moskowitz and Darren Soto in the short term, but it would be difficult under current federal law to factor in “the results and information gained from the Presidential Election of 2024,” as Trump says he wants to do, without conducting a full new census.
Democrats, who control just eight of 28 Florida seats, aren’t happy about the prospect of further marginalization.
“This is corruption, plain and simple. The Speaker is abusing his power and breaking with decades of precedent to rig the system in favor of Republicans,” reads a statement from the Florida Democratic Party.
“Congressional maps are drawn once a decade, after a Federal census, not when a political party is afraid of losing power. By convening this Select Committee, Florida Republicans are attempting a blatant power grab that will silence the voices of Florida’s voters, especially Black and brown voters ahead of the mid-term elections.”
Rep. Anna Eskamani also promises resistance in the Florida House.
“Not good, Florida Republican Leadership are launching a ‘Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting’ to redraw and gerrymander maps again — we will do everything we can to push back.”
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The horrific shooting in Australia that claimed at least 16 lives during a Hanukkah celebration has prompted an expression of sympathy from Florida lawmakers.
The Florida Jewish Legislative Caucus issued a statement of condemnation of the violence during the Jewish observance on Sydney’s Bondi Beach. The Caucus published its statement Sunday afternoon.
“The Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus unequivocally condemns the horrific and senseless killing that occurred during Hanukkah in Australia. An act of violence against Jews celebrating their faith is an attack not only on a single community, but on the fundamental values of freedom, religious liberty, and human dignity,” the Florida Legislative Caucus said in a news release.
“We stand in unwavering solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia, with the victims’ families, and with Jewish communities around the world who are once again forced to confront hatred simply for being who they are. The State of Florida’s Jewish legislators join in mourning, remembrance, and resolve.”
The Florida LegislativeJewish Caucus has a dozen members from the House of Representatives and two State Senators.
Hundreds of people had gathered Sunday at the beach for an event to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah, when gunmen opened fire. At least 38 others were injured in the attack.
New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park said the death toll had risen from 12 to 16 overnight, including a 12-year-old child. Three other children are being treated in hospital, he said.
“This is absolutely horrendous for the community broadly, but particularly the Jewish community. … What we saw last night was the worst of humanity, but at the same time, the very best of humanity,” Park said.
The massacre at one of Australia’s most popular beaches followed a wave of antisemitic attacks that have roiled the country over the past year, although the authorities didn’t suggest those and Sunday’s shooting were connected. It is the deadliest shooting in almost three decades in a country with strict gun control laws.
One gunman was fatally shot by police and the second was arrested and in critical condition, authorities said. Police said one gunman was known to security services, but there was no specific threat.
At least 29 people were confirmed wounded, including two police officers, said Mal Lanyon, police commissioner for New South Wales state, where Sydney is located.
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said.
The violence erupted at the end of a summer day when thousands had flocked to Bondi Beach, including hundreds gathered for the Chanukah by the Sea event celebrating the start of the eight-day Hanukkah festival.
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Material from The Associated Press was used in this report with permission.
Behavioral health officials have a list of precautions for Floridians to deal with anxieities heading into Christmas and New Year’s Day.
While the holidays can bring a lot of comfort and joy, the can also be a stressful time and Florida’s health management entities are providing some helpful tips to deal with yuletide anxiety.
There are seven behavioral health managing entities in the state and all of them are aware that stress heading into Christmas and New Year’s Day can seem overwhelming at times. They’re advising balance may be one of the key elements in dealing with the holidays.
“The holidays are a time of joy, but they can also be a time of stress, sadness and triggering situations,” said Natalie Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities. “Florida’s behavioral health Managing Entities remind Floridians that behavioral health services are available, even to those who are uninsured or underinsured.”
The state’s behavioral health professionals are also providing a list of tips to help come to grips with any holiday tension including:
— Get plenty of exercise. Exercising boosts your mood and combats depression.
— Limit alcohol intake. Alcohol is a depressant that can cause feelings of anxiety, sadness and depression.
— Set healthy boundaries and don’t overextend yourself. Setting realistic expectations can help reduce stress.
— Seek the help of a counselor for mental health needs. If you feel overwhelmed or the need to get help to address your feelings, contact a counselor.
— Call 2-1-1 if needed to connect with resources in your community.
— Call 9-8-8 if you or a loved one is having suicidal thoughts.
A mental-health treatment network has been established in the state for providers who deliver services to residents needing help. Those services extend to parents and children, veterans and the homeless.
Providers serve patients for not only mental health needs, but substance use, housing, transportation and employment help. Those managing entities are often overseen by community organizations and administrators and are accountable to state and federal funds.
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