The clock is winding down to Sine Die, as the Florida Legislature scrambles to pass its remaining bills before adjourning its regular 2011 session later today.
It's been a horrific nine weeks for Democrats – the few that are up there – and their frustrations are erupting on this final day of the session.
Miami House Democrat Luis Garcia Jr. bemoaned what he said was a lack of free speech on the floor of the House today, saying,"
“House Republicans’ new rules for debating on the floor are a blatant attack on my freedom of speech and my ability to represent the citizens in my district. Even though they already hold a super majority in the House and the Senate, as well as the Governorship, they now feel it is necessary to stymie all debate on the floor. Floridians should know that legislation is being cooked in back rooms, then rammed through the process under limited debate, unable to receive a thorough vetting. Florida is an autocracy not a democracy at this point.”
This article appears in May 5-11, 2011.