Lawyers back change in redrawing districts

Aaron Deslatte

October 4, 2009

A few trial lawyers are raising cash this week for FairDistrictsFlorida.org, which wants to put a constitutional amendment on next year's ballot changing the way legislative and congressional districts are drawn.

Don Hinkle, a prominent medical-malpractice lawyer and major Democratic check-writer, is hosting the event at his Tallahassee home Tuesday. The guest list includes former Democratic state Rep. Loranne Ausley, former Lawton Chiles general counsel Dexter Douglass, lawyer and child advocate Karen Gievers, lawyer and former Barack Obama fundraiser Alan Katz, and Ron Meyer, an attorney for both the state's teachers union and trial-bar lobby.

FairDistrictsFlorida.org wants to put restrictions on the once-a-decade process of redistricting after the 2010 U.S. Census to prevent the party in power in Tallahassee (which happens to be Republicans) from gerrymandering political lines to benefit itself.

The organization casts itself as nonpartisan. But Democrats and left-leaning groups have done the heavy financial lifting so far. Big givers include state and national teacher unions ($150,000); Jacksonville trial lawyer Wayne Hogan ($60,000), and the Service Employees International Union ($225,000).

ACORN is on the list, too, giving $25,000.

So is Orlando's outspoken U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, who mocked Republicans last week for encouraging the uninsured sick to "die quickly." He gave $12,000 before he won his election last year.

Democrats view the amendment as their best shot to win back control of either the Florida House or Senate in the next decade.

"I think that's a key issue," said Sen. Nan Rich, a Broward County Democrat in charge of Democratic Senate campaigns next year.

"You have so many seats where the opposite party can't run [due to gerrymandering]. If we pass FairDistrictsFlorida.com, you probably in the 2012 or 2014 cycles could stand a chance of taking back one."

The signature-petition drive hasn't attracted much organized political resistance yet. But the two lawmakers in charge of the next redistricting -- Rep. Dean Cannon, R- Winter Park, and Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island -- obviously aren't fond of the idea.

Atwater in lead for CFO

Senate President Jeff Atwater doesn't have much standing in his way at the moment in his bid to become Florida's next chief financial officer in 2010.

His only GOP opponent, Rep. Pat Patterson of DeLand, lacks Atwater's ability to raise big cash.

And the Democrat? There isn't a credible one yet -- though there's talk that Bud Chiles, son of the late governor, is considering getting in.

The Atwater camp isn't convinced that will happen, but it nonetheless released an endorsement from former Republican Gov. Bob Martinez last week.

Dems offer free night at Disney

The Florida Democratic Party is having its annual conference next weekend at Walt Disney World, with the party still riding high from its presidential win last year.

Party officials expect to report another big fundraising quarter when the numbers are released this week.

And the party offered one lucky "grass roots" supporter -- defined as anyone who gave $20 or more before midnight Wednesday -- an opportunity to win free tickets and a night's stay at the Disney Yacht and Beach Club.

Here's Executive Director Scott Arceneaux's description of the package: "Free tickets and a hotel night for you and a guest to join us . . . including events featuring national leaders like Governors Martin O'Malley of Maryland and John Baldacci of Maine and our own leaders like Senator Bill Nelson and CFO Alex Sink."

Memo: For more insider information and insights on Florida politics, go to Central Florida Political Pulse at OrlandoSentinel.com/politicalpulse. Aaron Deslatte can be reached at 850-222-5564 or adeslatte@orlandosentinel.com.

Edition: FINAL
Section: LOCAL NEWS
Page: B2
Column: Capitol View
Index Terms: OPINION; FLORIDA POLITICS
Record Number: 0910030106
Copyright 2009 Sentinel Communications Co.