Redistricting plan headed to ballot

[AlCzervik]

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Published 3:27 pm PDT Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Voters will have yet another chance to strip state lawmakers of the power to draw political district boundaries in November.

An initiative to change how California draws its district boundaries qualified Tuesday for the November ballot after receiving heavy fundraising support from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger this year.

The redistricting measure is the 11th -- and possibly last -- to be placed on the fall ballot. No other measures await random signature verification, though the Legislature could still place a measure (or measures) on the ballot.

The redistricting proposal, also backed by good-government groups, would establish a 14-member commission to draw districts for the state Legislature and Board of Equalization. State lawmakers currently have the power to create their own districts after each decennial census. The plan would still allow lawmakers to draw congressional districts.

This marks the second ballot go-around for the Republican governor, who failed to persuade voters to approve redistricting during the 2005 special election. The governor's proposal that year was part of an overall "reform" package that drew a backlash from teachers, nurses and public employees.

Schwarzenegger has now teamed up with groups such as AARP and California Common Cause. They argue that political districts created by an independent commission would make political races more competitive and possibly lead to more moderate representation in Sacramento.

The governor has raised and transferred $2.4 million for the initiative this year.

Schwarzenegger's political committee, the California Dream Team, has been the single largest donor to the signature-gathering effort. The governor has also solicited donations from his sizable Rolodex, including a $250,000 contribution from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

The measure, written by California Common Cause, would strip the Legislature of the power to draw state Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization districts, which occurs after the census every 10 years.

That power would shift to a 14-member "citizens panel." The state auditor would select an initial pool of 60 individuals. Legislative leaders could then narrow the list on a limited basis.

That elimination is followed by a hybrid process of random selection of eight members and six members chosen "to ensure the Commission has a good balance of skills and diversity," according to proponents.

The final 14 would be composed of five Democrats, five Republicans and four independents.

The power to redraw congressional lines would remain in the Legislature's hands.

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[mitchtv]

1. I'd prefer to do a "Texas style" redistricting

with particular attention to Issa's district and a few others

[Joe Bacon]

3. Add Roherbacher in that wish list too

Love to see that fool in the unemployment line as he mumbles about panties over and over...

[Throd]

2. Sounds good to me!

[MaryBear]

4. I do not see much impact.

Rather than redistricting by the many (legislators), it will be done by the few (whom the legislators will scramble to select). Even though worthy groups support it, the real proof if it passes will be in the redistricting pudding. BTW, is California voter registration truly 40% Republican, 40% Democrat, and 20% Independent?