Mystery Florida Draft Bill Calls For Abolition of Key West

An unnamed draft bill is calling for the abolition of Florida’s Key West. For some reason, an anonymous, unsigned bill wants the State of Florida to do away with its southernmost city. 

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Draft Bill Calls For Abolition of Key West

The website FloridaPolitics.com received a draft bill that is currently making rounds in Tallahassee. The document has no sponsor name or an assigned bill number which makes it a draft.

Florida Keys State Representative Jim Mooney said that he is aware of the draft bill’s existence, having received a snapshot. However, he did not read the draft, calling it a “waste of time” that had no chance of passing.

The document in question resembles the type of bill drafts that end up in the Florida State Legislature. It talks about the abolition of Key West. “The City of Key West is abolished.

All assets and legitimate liabilities and revenue streams of Key West are transferred to Monroe County. This act shall take effect July 1, 2022,” the draft read. 

Key West Officials Insulted, Not Alarmed

Key West Mayor Teri Johnston commented on the circulating draft. “This is ludicrous. I hope it’s just political posturing,” Johnston said.

However, she noted that local governments remain unhappy. Some state legislators are working steadily to pre-empt almost everything. 

Local media asked Johnston if the state preemptions that allegedly targeted Key West were due to its proposals to reduce cruise ships in the area and placing a ban on sunscreens.

Johnston said that Key West is hardly alone in these proposals. “We’ve had some high-profile issues that have put us in the crosshairs, but we’re not alone. I just hope this is a political circus,” she added. “It’s a new low, I’ll tell you that. It’s a sad, sad day for the politics of America.” 

Representative Spencer Roach Suspected Author of Draft Bill

Meanwhile, Monroe County Commissioner Holly Raschein pointed to Lee Country representative Spencer Roach as the author.

Raschien used to represent the Keys in the State House until she became term-limited in 2020. “There’s no sponsor or bill number yet, which means whoever is considering it is likely just trying to make some kind of point publicly.

That said, it’s egregious that a legislator who doesn’t even represent the Keys would attempt to abolish one of our municipalities,” Raschien said. 

However, Roach denied the accusation. However, he did say that he thinks the draft bill is real. Roach said he’s not surprised that there are discussions on how to rein in rogue municipalities.

When asked who wrote the draft, Roach said that it’s not his play to share the information. 

Roach helped overturn a Key West vote to restrict cruise ship traffic to the island. Eventually, Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation that canceled the Key West vote. 

Watch the CBS Miami video report titled: Facing South Florida: Key West Cruise Industry, Part 1:

What do you think of the draft bill circulating in Florida that calls for the abolition of Key West?

Do you agree that this is a true draft that will eventually find its way to the Florida legislature? Or do you see this as a publicity stunt that serves notice to the city’s belligerent against the State government?

Let us know what you think. Share your comments in the comments section below.