Wednesday Morning Reads: Redistricting maps, Everglades and budget

TALLAHASSEE — The Senate concluded its work on the redistricting maps a day earlier than expected, while House committees continued to meet and work on other legislative issues such as Internet cafes. So, here’s a recap of what you may have missed yesterday with five stories you should be reading this morning. * The Orlando Sentinel has the details on the redistricting debate that occupied the Senate yesterday. From the story: Over complaints that its work continued decades-old gerrymandering, Senate Republicans rammed through a proposed map for their own seats that more evenly divides population gains over the past decade and maintains an electoral advantage for the majority party. The Senate map, SJR 1176, was fast-tracked 34-6 after a daylong debate in which Democrats said the majority was violating the Fair Districts reforms voters passed in 2010. But Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, called Florida’s example a “model for America.” * The Sun-Sentinel writes on the odd pairing of pari-mutuels and animal rights activists who both support legislation that ends mandatory dog racing as a precondition for other gambling activities. From the story: A movement to drastically cut down on dog racing in Florida has made unlikely bedfellows of dog track owners and animal rights activists. Track owners see a state requirement that they run dog races in exchange for being

allowed to operate other forms of gambling as onerous. The Humane Society and a greyhound rescue organization see the sport as cruelty to animals. * The Florida Current has a Q and A with Gray Swoope. * The Palm Beach Post reports on the Everglades Summit held yesterday in Tallahassee. From the story: An Everglades love-fest turned nasty Tuesday afternoon when Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Everglades Foundation Chairman Paul Tudor Jones sniped about whether the agriculture industry is meeting its obligation to pay for restoring the “River of Grass.” * The Herald-Tribune reports that state Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, is being rumored as a potential pick as the next Secretary of State. From the story: Word that Detert was among those Gov. Rick Scott was considering appointing to the office leaked Tuesday, though it was unclear how many other people were also possibilities or who might have the inside track. The Tampa Bay Times reported that another potential replacement for current Secretary of State Kurt Browning could be Republican Mike Ertel, 42, Seminole County’s elections supervisor. The governor’s office did not return calls for comment. Bonus Blogs * With their maps done, where do things stand with the Fla budget? * Video: Bob Graham speaks to Everglades Caucus

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Wednesday Morning Reads: Redistricting maps, Everglades and budget

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