Weatherford accuses redistricting advocacy groups of ‘political and legal stunt’

State Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel (Pic by Mark Foley, via myfloridahouse.gov)

During a vote in a state House redistricting committee, a coalition of advocacy groups has declined to defend the maps they recently submitted. Leaders called the move “disappointing” and a “political and legal stunt.”

House redistricting chair state Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, said today that he has submitted an amendment on behalf of the Florida League of Women Voters, Common Cause and National Council of La Raza. However, the groups have declined to appear before the committee and defend their proposals.

Throughout the process of redistricting, the coalition has accused legislators of favoring incumbents and ignoring public input. Weatherford said today that he “submitted their maps as a courtesy,” adding that it was also a way of addressing the coalition’s criticisms and allowing everyone to have a voice in the process. However, the groups sent in a letter today (.pdf) in place of an appearance (via Orlando Sentinel).

Weartherford said it was “uncustomary for the chair to submit an amendment,” but that he felt it would be the right thing to do since the groups “traveled around the state” to discuss the maps.

“I thought it would be perfectly appropriate for them to submit maps,” Weatherford said. “We have worked extremely hard to make this a ‘no surprises’ process. I have to say, I am a little bit disappointed that the League has decided not to speak.”

The League had a lobbyist in the audience, however, who he declined to address the committee.

Due to the absence, the committee took the opportunity to express frustration with the way events transpired. Weatherford said that the “citizens of Florida deserve a lot better than a 12-page letter.” He said he believes that the groups maneuver “is an unfortunate political and legal stunt.”

State Rep. Chris Dorworth, R-Heathrow, said he found it frustrating that the groups accused them of not being transparent — yet only gave the committee “60 hours” to consider their maps.

Staff and committee members criticized the maps and said that the League, Common Cause and La Raza submitted plans that favored incumbents. The committee staff’s analysis also said that there was less compactness in the coalition’s maps versus the committee maps. Staff compared Southwest Florida and Duval maps, among other regions. There were also allegations that the coalition’s maps would violate the Voting Rights Act.

A staff member presenting the coalition’s maps said that if the committee would have drawn those maps, they “would have been excoriated.”

In the letter to the committee, the groups opened by mentioning that they received their invitation “late in the evening of January 24, 2012,” less than three days before they would have to appear.

Weatherford closed the presentation of his amendment by saying he was not expecting that “the January surprise” would come from the very group that was accusing them of not being transparent. The entire committee eventually voted down the amendment.