Post by pavel on Feb 4, 2016 5:53:01 GMT -6
Proposal to take redistricting out of lawmakers’ hands clears first hurdle
It’s a long shot to make the ballot, but a proposal to take away the power of state lawmakers and the governor to redraw legislative districts got off to a successful start Wednesday.
The proposed constitutional amendment to create a five-member redistricting commission zipped through the House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee on a 9-0 vote.
Every 10 years, after the U.S. census, state lawmakers redraw boundaries for districts of the New Mexico Legislature, the U.S. House of Representatives and the Public Regulation Commission. Then the governor reviews the maps and can accept or veto them.
Gov. Susana Martinez in 2011 vetoed the redistricting plan for the state Senate, state House of Representatives and the Public Regulation Commission. A protracted fight in court followed. The total cost to taxpayers of redistricting in 2011 was almost $8 million. Nearly half the money went toward legal fees.
Read more: www.santafenewmexican.com/news/legislature/proposal-to-take-redistricting-out-of-lawmakers-hands-clears-first/article_f00eaae9-9b8f-5e55-8654-dd4801e7842d.html
It’s a long shot to make the ballot, but a proposal to take away the power of state lawmakers and the governor to redraw legislative districts got off to a successful start Wednesday.
The proposed constitutional amendment to create a five-member redistricting commission zipped through the House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee on a 9-0 vote.
Every 10 years, after the U.S. census, state lawmakers redraw boundaries for districts of the New Mexico Legislature, the U.S. House of Representatives and the Public Regulation Commission. Then the governor reviews the maps and can accept or veto them.
Gov. Susana Martinez in 2011 vetoed the redistricting plan for the state Senate, state House of Representatives and the Public Regulation Commission. A protracted fight in court followed. The total cost to taxpayers of redistricting in 2011 was almost $8 million. Nearly half the money went toward legal fees.
Read more: www.santafenewmexican.com/news/legislature/proposal-to-take-redistricting-out-of-lawmakers-hands-clears-first/article_f00eaae9-9b8f-5e55-8654-dd4801e7842d.html