A pair of House Democrats slammed Sen. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, for a comment during a redistricting meeting this week suggesting that lawmakers should be cautious about creating a Congressional district in Central Florida heavily influenced by Latinos, particularly Puerto Ricans.
Hays suggested during the Tuesday meeting of the Senate Reapportionment Committee that the district might benefit illegal immigrants.
“I just don’t think that it’s right that we try to draw a district that encompasses people that really have no business voting, anyhow,” Hays said.
Puerto Ricans are American citizens.
Rep. Janet Cruz, D-Tampa, issued a statement calling on Hays to give up his seat on the committee.
“It is essential that this process remain unbiased, fair and unprejudiced,” Cruz said. “It is evident now that Senator Hays cannot meet these qualifications, and Latinos in Florida should be concerned about their fair representation when the lines are in the hands of legislators like Senator Alan Hays.”
Rep. Luis Garcia, D-Miami Beach, wrote a letter to Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, and House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, asking for an apology.
“For Senator Alan Hays to say that Central Florida’s booming Hispanic community should not have full representation and warn that ‘illegals’ are the reason to ignore this sector of Florida’s growing population is not only offensive, but serves no purpose in the contentious and challenging process of reapportionment,” Garcia wrote.
He did not say Puerto Ricans are illegals! He merely said it might benefit hispanics that are here illegally. Im American of Puerto Rican descent and find no offense!