May 6, 2008 10:28 pm US/Eastern
Mayors Want To Turn Florida Into Two States
NORTH LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ―
The City of North Lauderdale is taking a tough stance on home rule, and because of this they are spearheading an effort to split Florida into two states. They have passed a resolution, asking that a boundary line to split South Florida from the rest of the state be drawn at the Palm Beach County line. They're taking it so seriously that they want counties in South Florida, such as Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe to join in supporting them.
This is about money and politics. Here's an example: If an orange represents the Florida budget, the mayors of these two South Florida cities say we contribute two slices, but only get one slice back.
"This is South Florida's Boston Tea Party," said Margate Mayor, Pam Donovan.
Mayor Donovan and North Lauderdale Mayor Jack Brady feel like patriots. They are floating the unusual idea to take South Florida's beaches, residents, schools and everything else, and create a South Florida State. The reason is because they say South Florida bears an unequal burden—paying more in taxes than this region gets back.
"Our residents and all of South Florida residents have had enough," said Jack Brady. "We want equal representation for everybody."
But experts say this proposal has no chance of coming to fruition, but ultimately it revolves around money and cry for attention for these neglected sectors of the state.
"It's always done as a protest movement," said Nova Southeastern law professor Bob Jarvis. "It's done to send a message."
"Congress would never go along with it, because if Congress were to go along with it in Florida, they would be inundated and every state would now face the possibility of being balkanized."CBS4 viewers responded enthusiastically, and often humorously, when asked to submit a motto for the new state of South Florida.
Where Smiles Are Free! emailed in Chrystal K. Bhola-Boodoosingh, Miramar or
Always Fun in the Sun suggested Rosemarie Belletti of Pompano Beach. Others weren't so kind like
South Florida - Permanently Stuck on Stupid sent in by Joe Paul of Sunrise.
Click Here to read more of the responses sent in to
CBS4.com Another reason South Florida lawmakers support the split is education; Broward and Miami-Dade are bearing the biggest burden of this year's legislative cutbacks. Senior citizens are also seeing cuts in funding.
"We have the highest concentration of elderly down here and they cut back on the elderly spending, they cut back on education" said Brady.
The mayors want Palm Beach County, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe to create their own state. And aside from money, Mayor Donovan questions the judgment of many legislative leaders.
"They made evolution a big priority, but what about the FCAT?" asked Donovan. "That's more of a big priority down here."
No one knows if the idea will fly. It would require an act of Congress, but these mayors want other South Florida cities to vote on it. They told
CBS4's Carey Codd that it's most important to send a message that they are angry. North Lauderdale passed the resolution, and Margate will consider it on Wednesday.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
