Page 2 - 8-18-15 Tuesday's Edition

Features
Legislators Make Third Attempt To Redraw Congressional Districts
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Last Monday, state elected officials began a special legisla- tive session to attempt to re- draw Congressional Districts in Florida. This court-ordered special session is the third time elected officials have attempted to accomplish this task.
The Legislators have until the end of the week to draft an acceptable redistricting map. The maps must be redrawn every 10 years in keeping with the growth of the state based on population shifts determined by the U. S. Census report.
Elected officials from Tampa, one state senator and two state representatives, shared comments about the special session on redistricting.
State Senator Arthenia Joyner said, “When an over- whelming majority of Floridi- ans passed the “Fair Districts” amendment to the state Consti- tution, it was not meant as a suggestion to the Legislature; it was meant as an order.
“Unfortunately, it took the state Supreme Court to remind the Republican leadership of that obligation. This week marks their third attempt at re- drawing Congressional district lines that allows the people to vote for the candidate of their choice, and a lot is riding on the outcome.
“If the final maps deviate from the Court’s instructions, it could mean that the Justices end up drawing the lines.
“One of the Congressional districts under the Court’s re-
ED NARAIN State Representative
that the Legislature will come up with a map that will truly ex- press the will of the people. The people of Florida should choose their Representatives, not the other way around.”
State Representative Ed Narain said, “This third court- ordered attempt at redistricting could have severe consequences for the political power of African Americans statewide and in Tampa Bay. The Legisla- ture has to get this right if we are to maintain minority repre- sentation in the United States Congress and the Florida Sen- ate.
“The proper way to apply Section 2 and 4 of the Voting Rights Act is being tested and being balanced against some political gamesmanship. This battle reinforces the impor- tance of African Americans par- ticipating in the census process.
“It’s a shame that 50 years after the passage of the Voting Rights Act and 23 years after the first Black State Senators were elected in Florida, the chance that we could lose our ability to elect a candidate of our community’s choosing could be diminished. Rest as- sured that I will be working hard during both special ses- sions to ensure that is NOT the case,” he said.
ARTHENIA JOYNER State Senator
drawing mandate consists of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Currently represented by Democratic Congress- woman Kathy Castor, the 14th District must be redone so that it does not cross Tampa Bay. The Senate’s current map proposal, however, potentially threatens the district’s ability to remain a ‘minority-access’ dis- trict because it cuts out Black voters who reside in St. Peters- burg and southeast Pinellas County.
“The plan is to pass new maps by the end of next week, and send them on to the Court for review and approval. It is my hope that the Republican- controlled legislature can fi- nally get it right while ensuring that minority voices throughout Florida remain protected,” she said.
State Representative Janet Cruz said, “It is a shame that the people of Florida’s hard-earned tax dollars have to be spent on funding another special session. Now after a sec- ond court reprimand in as many years, we must complete a congressional map for a third time. After all that has come to light in with political consult- ants calling the shots and records being purposefully de- stroyed, I am highly doubtful
JANET CRUZ State Representative
City Council Will Address Proposal To Increase Stormwater Fees
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
On August 27th in a public hearing, the City Council will listen to a proposal from the City’s Stormwater Department for a fee increase.
Council Chair Frank Reddick said their timing is perfect because of the flooding several areas have had to en- dure due to the daily rain storms we’ve had.
Patrick Mantiega, pub- lisher of LaGaceta, said he’s re- viewed the proposal, and is totally against it.
“If you wonder who is going to carry the heavy load of this rate increase, all you need to do is look at the formula. The way it’s put together, poor neigh- borhoods will pay more than the affluent communities.
“Area churches don’t pay property taxes, but they do pay stormwater fees, and they will see their bills almost triple. I will be paying $1,300 more a year. If I had a 40 story build- ing, I’d be paying the same as someone with a building my size. That means there’s no value system.”
Mantiega said the formula is not contingent on the height of a building, but the square footage of the roof, driveways, patios, and other areas.
“That means people living in condos will play less than poor people. I think the city is taking an unusual approach to this.
CITY COUNCIL CHAIR FRANK REDDICK
“I think the city is trying to get funding to improve the city’s stormwater problems from poor people and area churches.”
Chair Reddick said he’s talked to some people who think the formula the city is using is not fair to people with low income or on fixed in- comes.
“East Tampa is not consid- ered a major flood zone as is most African American com- munities.
“Areas north of Fowler, like New Tampa, won’t be assessed the increased fee.”
Chair Reddick said when you divide the neighborhoods into districts, the fee won’t be as high.
“I’m going to meet with the stormwater people next week to see if it can be divided into districts to lower the fees and make it more even.
“The way it’s structured now, the people in low or no flood areas will pay the same as people in high flood zones. For example, we all are familiar with the flooding problems in South Tampa. Not only will they pay the increased fee, but so will people who have no flooding problems. That means people who live in low flood or no flood areas will be paying to have the other areas up- graded.”
Chair Reddick said he’s going to study the formula to see how accurate it is.
“I want people to keep in mind that there will be assess- ments in 2016 and 2017, and the average person will be pay- ing $180 more than they are paying now.
“I think because of the re- cent flooding problems, that will be used to push it past the Council and get citizens to ac- cept it.”
Chair Reddick said peo- ple who have had flooding is- sues won’t mind paying the increased fee.
“My concern is the strain this will have on people with fixed incomes. Also, if you live in an apartment building and don’t pay for water, you can probably expect to see your rent payments go up because landlords will pass the increase on to their tenants.”
PAGE 2 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015