Final Thoughts

It seems when politicians want to circumvent the law, they can come up with a number of inventive excuses for allowing them to do so.

I wrote a column about Attorney-General James Uthmeier deciding that the Florida Constitution’s ban on funding religious institutions was unconstitutional based on his interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. And of course, right here in Martin County we have the absolutely ridiculous Boss Chris Collins saying that Stuart’s ignoring state statute regarding home rule is OK. His justification is because he believes the statute is unconstitutional. His city refuses to obey SB180 even after a state judge ruled against him.

And now in his latest change to congressional voting districts, Governor DeSantis is stating that the bill passed by the legislature and signed by him is constitutional because the 2010 Fair District Amendments (FDA) to the Florida Constitution, which bans gerrymandering, is void because of DeSantis’ interpretation of the U.S. Constitution makes the FDA unconstitutional. No court ruling is necessary.

There have been no state or federal court interpretations or cases for any of these falderols. Only the word---dare I say---of Kings Ron, James, and Boss. What goes on here? Are there no longer local, state, or federal officials who recognize that they don’t get to decree things, except maybe a proclamation about recognizing pet ownership day.

Perhaps DeSantis and Uthmeier are right, but we cannot just accept it as if process doesn’t matter. The idea that a law as passed by the legislature and signed by the governor even more than a decade ago can be declared nonforcible by who sits in the governor’s chair now is unimaginable. This is not medieval England or present-day Russia where the king is always right. DeSantis should take it to court and get a ruling. Until then, enforce the law as written.

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Friends and Neighbors of Martin County is your eyes and ears so that you know what is going on in Martin County’s municipal and county governments. I attempt to be informative and timely so that you may understand how your tax money is being spent. Though I go to the meetings and report back, I am no substitute for your attending meetings. Your elected officials should know what is on your mind.

Tom Campenni 772-341-7455 (c) Email: thomasfcampenni@gmail.com