Our View: Redistricting all talk, no action

Redistricting all talk, no action

Merced Sun-Star, The (CA

July 5, 2006

Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata have pledged that they would attempt to put a redistricting reform measure on the November ballot. It appears they weren't serious.

The Nunez/Perata promise came after Democrats and their public employee union friends persuaded voters last year to defeat a redistricting reform measure backed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. But don't listen to the Democratic leaders' words. Watch their actions.

State legislators began a summer recess Thursday by ducking a vote on a constitutional amendment to reform the boundary-drawing system for legislative, congressional and Board of Equalization seats. Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach , the amendment's author, said it's doubtful whether the reform will get on the November ballot. But he'll try again in August.

The current system has a built-in conflict of interest because legislators draw the boundaries of their own districts, and they have protected their turf in ways that are not in the public interest. The politicians don't want to give up that power no matter what Nunez and Perata say.

In 2001, the Legislature crafted a bipartisan gerrymander that has protected both Democrats and Republicans. They did it so well that in the 2004 election, 153 legislative and congressional seats were on the ballot in California . Not one seat changed parties.

Under the Lowenthal proposal, which was co-written by Sen. Roy Ashburn, R-Bakersfield, the Legislature would give up redistricting authority to an 11-member commission. The group would be selected mostly by retired appellate court judges, although legislative leaders would have some say in the process. The plan would not go into effect until after the 2010 census figures are released.

Thursday's vote was postponed after Democrats met privately to raise concerns about the measure. Lowenthal said some members wanted assurance that the membership of the redistricting commission would reflect the diversity of the state.

That was a cop-out. There would be many opportunities to ensure a diverse commission, which is important to give the process credibility. But this move by Democrats wasn't about diversity. That was only an excuse to duck the issue.

Lowenthal blamed the delay on his party's reluctance to change a system under which it benefits. "It's always more difficult for the majority to give up power," he said. "I knew that when I started ... the most difficult part of this would be getting the Democrats to support it."

But this is also about the Democrats keeping their word to Californians on a crucial public policy issue. Voters should remember that in November when Democratic candidates from governor to Assembly will be asking for their support.

Trust may not be a big thing to politicians. But it is to the rest of us.

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Section: opinion

Page: 01