California: Dems may push their redistricting plan now
AP reports: Despite voters' rejection of Proposition 77, the Legislature's top leaders are promising to try to get a new plan on the ballot as early as next June that would strip lawmakers of the powerful job of drawing legislative and congressional districts. ...
That measure could be a constitutional amendment by state Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, that's awaiting a vote next year in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
In its current form, it would create a seven-member commission to draw new districts after each census, starting in 2010. The governor, the Legislature's top four leaders, the California Judicial Council and University of California president would each appoint one commission member.
It passed the Senate elections committee in July, but then stalled when Democrats and Schwarzenegger couldn't work out compromises on redistricting and the other ballot measures pushed by the Republican governor.
If approved by lawmakers, it would go on the ballot next June or November.
Any deal on a redistricting measure could include an agreement that would liberalize lawmakers' term limits, which now allow senators to serve no more than 8 years, and Assembly members no more than 6 years. -- AP Wire | 11/09/2005 | Leaders to seek redistricting change despite 77's defeat