LEGISLATORS COOL TO REDISTRICTING COMMISSION...DUH!

Tallahassee Democrat Capitol Bureau Chief Nancy Cook Lauer writes today from Seattle that two Florida legislators attending the National Conference of State Legislatures' annual conference who don't usually agree on much do agree that an independent commission is not needed to redraw political boundries.

Representatives Curtis Richardson (D - Tallahassee) and J. Dudley Goodlette (R - Naples) attended a debate on the issue Thursday at the NCSL gathering.

Richardson's concern is that African-Americans would have less of a voice with an independent commission, and that their number --- currently 22 among the state's 160 lawmakers --- could be reduced. Goodlette, meanwhile, simply said that "I believe the Legislature should continue to establish districts - that's what we're elected to do."

The push for such a commission is led by the Committee for Fair Elections. Among those involved are former U.S. Senator Bob Graham, former Education Commissioner and University of South Florida president Betty Castor, former Florida Comptroller Bob Milligan, and former judge and Seminole County Attorney Thom Rumberger. It's a move that I strongly support, because the Legislature has seemed to be more concerned with covering it's own backside and protecting their own positions. Such a body could work well and form districts that would insure as much as possible that all minorities, including Hispanics and blacks, are insured a place at the table.