From NaplesNews.com:
The Republican-controlled Florida Legislature’s answer to a pair of citizen initiatives on redistricting has passed in The Republican-controlled Legislature’s answer to a pair of citizen initiatives aimed at curtailing gerrymandering cleared the Florida House by a partisan vote Monday.
The proposed state constitutional amendment (HJR 7231), which House Democrats said would undermine the initiatives, passed 74-40 — two more than the minimum needed to get on the ballot.
It goes to the Senate next and is expected to pass with help from at least a couple Democrats. They’ve joined Republicans in arguing the measure is needed to “clarify” the citizen initiatives and keep intact changes in redistricting procedures over the last 20 years that have increased minority representation in legislative and congressional districts.
“These gains were not achieved through an accident or through a mistake,” said Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami. “They were achieved through a process that was rightfully corrected.”