That clearly was the strategy of Florida House Republicans who had every reason to be ashamed of their effort to overhaul state voter registration laws, six months after voter drives were credited with helping Barack Obama win Florida in the presidential election. The bill would bar two forms of voter identification that were valid in 2008. It doesn't address the need for more early voting and longer hours of open polls. And it was all done lickety split after Republicans stopped what ought to have been a robust debate. South Florida Democrats are not pleased. From the article in the St. Pete Times:
On Sunday the Times published this furious editorial. Let's hope this story stays in the news this week.The House Democratic leader, Rep. Franklin Sands, D-Weston, took the floor on a point of personal privilege to condemn the council's action. He said the bill's contents were not made public until late Thursday night while lawmakers were debating the budget. Sands asked that the bill be returned to the same committee for more study and testimony.
"This morning's deliberations failed to meet the Legislature's promise of open and fair government," Sands said.
