Sen. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, would lose part of his existing Brevard County-based district. In several districts, two incumbent Republican senators would be forced to run against each other.

The map ensures Republican control of the Senate, but two Senate districts in Palm Beach County appear to be tossups, possibly jeopardizing the re-election plans of Republican Debby Sanderson of Fort Lauderdale. The sprawling interior district held by Democrat Tom Rossin of Royal Palm Beach, who cannot run again because of term limits, would become more competitive for Republicans.

When several Democrats grumbled about the shape and the political makeup of several new districts, a Republican protested.

"We've accommodated enough. If you don't like it, vote against it," said Senate Majority Leader Jim King, R-Jacksonville. He praised the subcommittee chairman, Sen. John Laurent, R-Bartow, for bending to some Democrats' wishes.

The map passed by a 10-4 vote. Democrats Rod Smith of Gainesville and Al Lawson of Tallahassee joined eight Republicans in voting yes.

The map now goes to the full Senate Reapportionment Committee.

Traditionally, the Senate is in charge of drawing Senate district boundaries, and the House draws House lines, with the two chambers clashing over congressional boundaries. But the final plan must pass both houses before it can take effect.

Educators rally against Bush

Michael Burns spends his day shuttling among seventh-, eighth- and ninth-grade classes at the James Education Center in Tampa.

He also spends his own money to buy paper, pencils and other school supplies.

That's why Burns, a teaching assistant and Hillsborough teachers union board member, said he left Tampa at 5:30 Tuesday morning to join hundreds of other teachers and union officials at a rally on the steps of the Capitol.

Educators demanded "the Truth" on education funding and vowed to defeat Gov. Jeb Bush's re-election campaign.

The hundreds of protesters criticized Bush for overseeing budget cuts in education during December's special session.

Bush responded through a spokeswoman by defending his education funding and called the gathering "an orchestrated political rally." He added it was sad that educators were spending their time in a rally instead of with children in the classroom.

Senate to investigate losses on Enron stock

The Senate will investigate how Florida's employee pension fund lost more than $300-million from its purchase of Enron stock.

Senate President John McKay directed the Governmental Oversight and Productivity Committee to look into what role the state Board of Administration, which runs the employee pension fund, played in the loss.

The House began a similar inquiry last week. Attorney General Bob Butterworth is conducting a racketeering investigation into Enron and two other companies.

The Board of Administration already is examining the three companies. The board has joined a federal class-action lawsuit in Texas against Enron and accounting firm Arthur Andersen, and is considering suing investment management company Alliance Capital Management Corp.

Florida's pension fund lost $325-million, which constitutes a relatively small percentage of the $94-billion fund, when it waited until the Friday before Enron declared bankruptcy to pull out of the Houston energy giant's stock. The fund also lost another $9-million on investments in Enron bonds.

License plate to benefit breast cancer research

The House passed a measure that would create a license plate to benefit breast cancer research.

Rep. Sara Romeo, D-Lutz, who has breast cancer, spoke for the bill (HB 441) on the chamber floor. Rep. Gaston Cantens, R-Miami, is the primary sponsor.

The bill passed 116-0 and went to the Senate.

If the new tag receives final approval, funds raised through sales of the plate would be distributed by the Florida Breast Cancer Coalition Research Foundation.

The plate includes a figure with a pink ribbon on the chest and the words "End Breast Cancer."

* * *

For information about legislation, call 1-800-342-1827 or 1-850-488-4371 toll-free during business hours.

For Internet users, Online Sunshine is the official site for the Legislature: www.leg.state.fl.us

Back to State news

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright

Special Links

Lucy Morgan

From the Times state desk