Redistricting commission may hold fewer meetings
The governor's redistricting commission is considering a truncated public hearing schedule this year, with eight or nine meetings around the state instead of the traditional 12.
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller suggested the change during the group's first meeting in Annapolis this afternoon. He's one of five members of the Governor's Redistricting Advisory Committee, which will travel around the state to seek input from Marylanders about how congressional and legislative maps should be re-drawn.
Miller said the hearing process should have "as much openness as possible" but added that time constraints make a 12 meeting schedule difficult. House Speaker Michael E. Busch agreed. The commission was just named Monday. Members said they want to make recommendations on the congressional map by September, giving them about two months to hold their meetings.
The 2010 census figures showed that Maryland's population grew by 9 percent -- so the state will not lose a member of congress like other northeastern states.
But the numbers shifted considerably during the past 10 years. Population surged in the Washington suburbs and dropped in Baltimore City, which could lose a senator in the rejiggering.
Comments
Not surprised that they want to cut back on the number of public hearings. Anything to limit public input and avoid conflict. Come on, just do something right! It seems our legislators are always looking for shortcuts and these shortcuts come at the expense of the public and at the expense of public input. Get a grip, do your job, and for once, take the time to do it right. I disagree with cutting back on PUBLIC hearings. Let the public have their input.
Posted by: Jeff | July 6, 2011 5:37 PM
If there is anyone out there who believes that the redistricting is not already set in Progressive stone, they are brain dead.
This is a done deal and there is no citizen impact or comment that will change any of it.
Posted by: Not Falling For It | July 7, 2011 7:57 AM
I will chip in money toward a non-partisan software program. We use mapitude currently in MD, but DLS/MGA/PLanning won't share the way they manipulated the data. It's time to end partisan redistricting in Maryland and make representation about representing similar communities, neighborhoods, and regions rather than about helping set candidates or parties.
Posted by: Brad | July 7, 2011 11:25 AM
we want a hearing in all counties. Is the Governor afraid of angry voters who know his secret
Posted by: gungho | July 7, 2011 10:30 PM
I 2nd that!
A hearing in all 23 counties and BC!
Stop this slimy gerrymandering already!!!
Posted by: Duke | July 11, 2011 7:20 AM