Redistricting measure critical

It's time for California voters to send message to the Legislature.

June 29, 2008

Now that we know California Democratic Party leaders oppose a reform of our corrupt redistricting system, at least we don't have to put up with their phony political spin on the issue. That's the one where they say they want to fix the system, but the solution has to be just the right one. Of course, the right one never comes along.

The party voted recently to abandon its two-faced position on redistricting and actually oppose the fairest reform yet to be put before the voters. California Voters First has qualified a measure for the November ballot that would take the map-drawing power from the Legislature and give it to a 14-member independent commission.

The Democrats don't like the term "independent," and here's why. The current system allows them to control the process by drawing district lines that protect their majority in both houses of the Legislature. They fear that a fair system will cut into their strength. But the current process also protects Republicans, essentially locking in the current party makeup in the Legislature.

A fair redistricting system would require that Democrats and Republicans compete for the 40 Senate seats and 80 Assembly seats in the Legislature.

It would make politicians of both parties accountable to the voters and require that incumbents run on their records at each election instead of relying on their registration advantage to return them to office.

If lawmakers were more accountable for their actions, they couldn't duck the tough issues. Currently the politicians can delay passing a state budget, and the voters can't punish them at the ballot box. The incumbents can get re-elected, yet issues such as water storage, health care, public school reform and transportation upgrades are avoided.

But you hear a lot about trivial bills, such as those to allow employees to take their dogs to work and ban wild burros from private property. There was even a bill to clean up grammar and spelling errors in laws already passed.

But you won't see lawmakers dealing with difficult problems.

That would change if they had to run in competitive districts, and that's why we need redistricting reform. The redistricting measure on the November ballot is our best chance to solve this problem.

This initiative was put together by California Common Cause, AARP, the League of Women Voters and others supporting good government. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, and former state Controller Steve Westly, a Democrat, are co-chairing the campaign.

That puts the leadership of the California Democratic Party out of step with most Californians. But they will not give up the redistricting power without a fight, and you can bet it won't be based on the merits. Opponents of redistricting reform can't win on the merits.

It's time to send a message to those who manipulate our votes to stay in power. Pass the redistricting measure in November and reclaim control over the California Legislature.

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