Miami Herald

A pair of lawsuits seeking to knock three redistricting proposals off Florida’s Nov. 2 ballot have touched off a legal and political free-for-all. It includes now-independent Gov. Charlie Crist, Democratic former Gov. and ex-U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, both houses of the Republican controlled Legislature and two members of Congress. A judge allowed Graham to intervene Thursday in one of the lawsuits. Crist filed written arguments as a “friend of the court” opposing stances taken by the Legislature in both cases earlier this week.

Miami Beach voters could cast ballots for Mary Jane come November should a budding effort to decriminalize marijuana possession in the city gain traction. In front of City Hall Wednesday evening, the Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy announced a drive to gather signatures in support of a proposed amendment that would make “personal” possession of marijuana in Miami Beach a civil code violation punishable by a mere fine.

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The Republican-controlled Florida Legislature’s answer to a pair of citizen initiatives on redistricting is set for a vote in the House. A partisan roll call is likely Monday on the proposed state constitutional amendment (HJR 7231). If also approved by the Senate, the measure would go on the Nov. 2 ballot. There it would join the citizen initiatives, Amendments 5 and 6. One is for legislative and the other for congressional redistricting.

A legislative task force says the 90-day limit imposed by Alaska voters on how long the Legislature can be in session is too short and should be overturned by lawmakers. The new report cites reasons ranging from legislators saying they aren’t getting enough sleep to complaining they don’t get to talk enough with their constituents over the three months. The report is from a subcommittee appointed in the state House to study the impact of the shortened session. It’s led by Homer Republican Rep. Paul Seaton and includes Rep. Max Gruenberg, D-Anchorage, and Rep. Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham.

The Florida Supreme Court says a revised financial impact statement on how much a proposed growth management amendment could cost taxpayers now complies with state law. That decision came in an advisory opinion Thursday to Attorney General Bill McCollum. “Local governments will incur additional costs due to the requirement to conduct referenda,” the court wrote, adding “the impact on state government expenditures will be insignificant.”

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Honduras heads for crisis as its left-wing President tries to push ahead with a referendum that the country’s congress and courts have declared illegal. President Manuel Zelaya seeks to change several parts of the constitution including allowing himself to run for re-election so that he can stay in power. Similar action by Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez has allowed him to stay in power in that country.

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The Florida Supreme Court struck down a law that allowed voters to revoke their signatures from petitions that the already signed. The ruling comes in a suit filed by supporters of the Florida Hometown Democracy Initiative, which had seen over 13,000 petition signatures revoked. Justices made the ruling Wednesday but will issue their full opinion at a later date.

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A petition drive that would give voters a say in the development of their communities may lose even if sponsors win a favorable Florida Supreme Court ruling - if the justices don’t act soon. To prevent that from happening, Florida Hometown Democracy asked the high court Monday to expedite a decision on a new law that lets signers take back their signatures. The case has been before the justices for more than a year.

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The Florida House voted to send an amendment to voters that would allow flexability to class-size mandates passed by voters in 2002. As a constitutional amendment, the bill must pass both chambers by a three-fifths vote and then get 60% voter approval. The bill must now pass the state Senate to make it on the 2010 ballot.

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