The Hill: Katrina may cost LA a House seat

[DemsUnited]

Hurricane may end up costing La. a House seat
By Peter Savodnik

The mass evacuation of coastal Louisiana triggered by Hurricane Katrina will likely cost the state one of its House seats, according to election officials.

Even before the devastating storm ripped through the Gulf Coast, Louisiana officials said their representation in Congress was in doubt.

“We were concerned about that anyway because of outmigration,” said Jennifer Marusak, a spokeswoman for Louisiana’s secretary of state.

With Katrina having emptied out New Orleans and much of the surrounding parishes, hundreds of thousands of people who once voted in Louisiana’s 1st, 2nd and 3rd Districts are no longer there. And many who never heard of Reps. Jim McCrery, Rodney Alexander and Richard Baker — Louisiana Republicans who represent the 4th, 5th and 6th Districts, respectively — are now camped out in those districts.


http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/091205/seat.html

[zbdent]

1. But, isn't that supposed to only happen after the census?

:eyes:

Of course, we know that that isn't true in Texas (and the attempt was going to be made in Ohio - but they backed out). Maybe in California.

[bluestateguy]

2. One bright spot with that

One less electoral vote for Louisiana too.

[Justyce]

5. Didn't Louisiana vote

for Clinton but then went red for bush?

[KingFlorez]

6. That's right

Clinton carried it in 1996

[quaoar]

3. Might also affect Mississippi

Many of the evacuees will never go back.

Every school district in Alabama, except two, have had new students enrolled who had evacuated from the coast and New Orleans.

[KingFlorez]

4. The population could recover before then

It's years before the next census and there is no need in discussing this now. I think this proves we need real redistricting reform to assure states don't lose seats and have certain people in districts where their views are not represented.

[napi21]

7. There's a real downside to this too. LOTS of the evacuees were taken

to TEXAS! What if they all decide to stay there????

[Spangle]

8. IT's why FEMA want's a "Tent City"

And Bush wants them out of shelters really fast. There isn't enough housing, so they will build "tent citys."

The Mayor of NOLA isn't going for it. He says his people are getting better care and better help where they are now. IT's going to take a long time to rebuild the area.

The Gov. of the states that have these people want to "look good", but get rid of them as soon as possible. They are afraid these people will be absorbed into their budget repsonsiblity. Jobs, housing, etc.. It will have a major impact.

If those people stay, they will be elgible to vote.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

9. YEAH BUT MAYBE WE WILL WIN BACK TEXAS! 300,000 evacuees

want to live there....that's what scared Babs

and what was the spread that bush won by in TX...anybody?