Redistricting

Public Hearings on Legislative Redistricting

September 15, 2011 by Left in Alabama

Here we go for the once per decade redistricting show.  This is the really good part.  Members of the Alabama Legislature are about to redraw their own districts.  They've scheduled a few public hearings around the state.  If this is anything like the public hearings on congressional redistricting last spring, don't expect to see many members of the Permanent Legislative Committee on Reapportionment in attendance and don't expect them to pay any attention to comments and suggestions from the public.  These folks know what they want to do; the public hearings are just a box they have to check off on the way to the districts they intend to draw anyway.

PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR STATE HOUSE AND SENATE REDISTRICTING

Westside Albuquerque Students and Lawmakers Rally for Representation

September 15, 2011 by Democracy for N...

More than 40 Albuquerque Westside high school students rallied outside the Roundhouse Tuesday to hear New Mexico Senators and House members explain the importance of re-districting for their neighborhoods, reports a statement released by NM Senate Dems. Albuquerque Sen. Bernadette M. Sanchez (D-Bernalillo-26) told the students from Albuquerque’s R.F.K. and South Valley Charter Schools that there has been unequal representation in their district for more than ten years since the last redistricting effort -- but efforts now would help solve that. “People need equal representation,” said Sen. Sanchez, “I hope that every Legislator and the Governor keeps that in mind as we work on redistricting."

Redistricting New Mexico following the last census is the primary duty of lawmakers during the current Special Session at the Capitol. Sen. Sanchez said Albuquerque’s Westside districts have seen tremendous growth, but representation has lagged and could create a problem when it comes to capital expenditures for the district.

Susana Martinez/GOP to Sen. Mary Jane Garcia: Na Na, Na Na Na!

August 30, 2011 by Democracy for N...

Susana: Pink Lady Complex?

As the Santa Fe New Mexican's Steve Terrell yesterday afternoon, State Senator Mary Jane Garcia (D-Dona Ana), the Majority Whip, appeared with Governor Susana Martinez at a press conference about the governor's bill to stop social promotion -- to hold third graders back a grade until they can read at the appropriate level. Although Garcia had supported a similar bill last session, yesterday she unexpectedly said the bill shouldn't be debated in the upcoming special session:

8/30-31: NM Legislative Redistricting Committee to Meet in Las Vegas and Santa Fe

August 29, 2011 by Democracy for N...

The Legislative Redistricting Committee continues to hold public meetings at locations throughout the state in order to encourage public accessibility and input on the upcoming redistricting plan. The final public meetings prior to the upcoming special session will take place at Highlands University and at the State Capitol in Santa Fe on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 30–31.

Representative Mary Helen Garcia (D–Dona Ana–34) and Senator Linda M. Lopez (D–Bernalillo–11) serve as co-chairs of the committee. The upcoming meeting begins Tuesday morning, August 30, at 10:00 AM in the Kennedy Lounge on the Highlands University campus. On Wednesday, August 31, the meeting moves to the State Capitol, room 307 and begins at 9:00 AM. This is the final interim session meeting to be held in preparation for the special session of the legislature that begins September 6, 2011.

Senator Wirth and Representative Egolf to Hold District Meetings to Discuss Redistricting and the Special Session

August 26, 2011 by Democracy for N...

Senator Wirth, Representative Egolf