SLAMMING BENSE FOR USING PUBLIC FUNDS TO FIGHT REDISTRICTING INITIATIVE

Today's editorial in the St. Petersburg Times is right on the mark in criticizing Florida House Speaker Allan Bense (R - Panama City) for authorizing $50,000 in public money to oppose a citizen initiative which would create a bipartisan commission to redistrict the state's legislative and congressional lines.

The initative is brought forth by the Committee for Fair Elections and supported by Common Cause Florida and is led by a biparisan group of current and former politicians. It has to date reportedly gathered over a half million signatures to put three constitutional amendment on the ballot next November (pdf file): One would create the bipartisan redistricting commission, another would require the commission to redraw the districts in 2007, and a third would rewrite the rules for redistricting.

From the editorial:

There is nothing more important to restoring some measure of accountability for legislators and members of Congress than wresting control of redistricting away from the Legislature. Republicans, and Democrats who controlled the process before them, are obsessed with self-preservation. Not a single legislative incumbent lost last year. As long as the system is rigged to protect those in power, lawmakers have little to fear by ignoring the concerns of voters and catering to special interests who bankroll their campaigns. Bense has led the House more responsibly than his predecessor and restored some dignity to the chamber, but the Panama City Republican's willingness to use public money to fight a public initiative is misguided.

Can I hear an "Amen" out there? Kudos to the SPT.