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Thursday, January 26, 2006

Ind. Gov't. - Garton pans redistricting bill

"Garton pans redistricting bill: Senate leader says change not needed" is the headline to this story by Lesley Stedman Weidenbener in the Louisville Courier Journal today. Some quotes:

Senate President Pro Tem Robert Garton said yesterday that he's not keen on a proposal that would turn legislative redistricting duties over to a bipartisan commission.

Garton, R-Columbus, said the current system — in which members of the General Assembly draw district maps for their respective chambers — works well and has produced competitive races, especially in the House where Democrats and Republicans have repeatedly traded the majority.

"I'm not enthused about" the bill, Garton said. "Regardless, that's five years away -- when the next redistricting will take place."

As Senate President Pro Tem, Garton gets to decide where the bill will be assigned and influence whether it gets a hearing.

More from the story:
Garton said he's willing to review and consider the bill but he made no promise that a committee would hear or vote on the legislation.

He said elections over the past four decades show that districts are now competitive.

Republicans hold a 32-18 majority in the Senate -- one short of the number needed to have a quorum whether Democrats show up or not. In 1989, however, the GOP had just a one-seat majority. Democrats haven't controlled the chamber for nearly 30 years.

In the House, however, the parties have often traded control. Twice -- after elections in 1988 and 1996 -- the body was split 50-50. Republicans are now in the majority after winning control in 2004.

Still, critics say that only about a dozen of the 100 House seats -- and even fewer of the 50 Senate seats -- are actually competitive and determine control of the chambers.

For background, start with this Jan. 20th ILB entry.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on January 26, 2006 06:06 AM
Posted to Indiana Government | Indiana Law