‘Abolish’ Key West? Someone wants to do away with the city, and locals call it ‘nonsense’
Should Key West be abolished?
In an absurd political stunt, that’s what someone purportedly wants in the state Capitol: do away with the Southernmost City. It’s not likely to get far, despite a burst of publicity in the hometown community newspaper and on Twitter.
Someone, possibly a state lawmaker, is circulating a document in Tallahassee typed to resemble the draft of a bill that takes aim at Key West.
“The City of Key West is abolished,” the purported draft states. “All assets and legitimate liabilities and revenue streams of Key West are transferred to Monroe County. This act shall take effect July 1, 2022.”
There is no sponsor name or bill number attached. It’s being called a “draft,” which means it may never be filed.
Keys leaders were insulted, not alarmed. But they believe it’s the work of a state lawmaker.
“It’s a new low, I’ll tell you that,” said Mayor Teri Johnston. “It’s a sad, sad day for the politics of America.”
Monroe County Commissioner Holly Raschein, who represented the Keys in the state House until she was term-limited in 2020, said this is being pushed by state Rep. Spencer Roach, a Lee County Republican.
“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,” Raschein said Wednesday. “That said, it’s egregious that a legislator who doesn’t even represent the Keys would attempt to abolish one of our municipalities.”
Roach said he did not write it but thinks it’s real.
“I’m not surprised there are discussions on how to rein in some of these rogue municipalities,” Roach told FLKeysNews.com/Miami Herald.
Asked who wrote it, Roach said, “It’s not my place to share that information.”
Roach was a key player in overturning a Key West vote to restrict cruise ship traffic to the island. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis this year signed legislation that canceled the results of that November 2020 election.
State Rep. James Mooney, who represents the Keys, said someone sent him a snapshot of the bill, but he hasn’t been able to read it yet.
He called it a “waste of time” and said it has no chance of passing.
“Key West is a very well-run city. This is total and utter nonsense,” he said.
Monroe County State Attorney Dennis Ward called it a farce. If it’s truly from a legislator, it’s just sad, he said.
“Shouldn’t he or she be focusing on bigger issues?’ Ward said. “It’s a joke.”
This story was originally published November 17, 2021 at 5:35 PM with the headline "‘Abolish’ Key West? Someone wants to do away with the city, and locals call it ‘nonsense’."
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