As expected, the Senate Privileges and Elections subcommittee Constitutional Amendments, Reapportionment, Referenda met this morning and combined the four remaining bills on redistricting into one. The bill that survives is SB38, now patroned by Sens. Deeds, Cuccinelli, Howell and Stolle, and it will be heard by the full committee next Tuesday. From the press release:
“When leaders from across the aisle work together to end partisan gerrymandering, it’s good for Virginia and our democracy. Bipartisan compromise shows real leadership. I hope this spirit of cooperation follows Bipartisan Redistricting Reform to the House of Delegates as well,” said David Solimini, Executive Director of the Virginia Redistricting Coalition.
SB38 is a comprehensive approach to bipartisan redistricting reform. It will increase competition, decrease polarization, and make the General Assembly more accountable to the people of Virginia.
The summary of the revised bill is now available (pdf). And don’t forget to add your name to the petition.
Technorati Tags: Redistricting
Vivian, I’d like to point out one additional thing about constitutional amendments. We talked about their requirements (passage both Houses on first read, a House election, then passage by both chambers on a second read). But nothing prohibits this bill from passing on a first reading in 2008, have a House election in 2009, and then a 2nd reading in 2010. In other words, the successful reading “hangs out” for a year. It was Brian Kirwin who pointed this out to me.
Posted by eileen | Tuesday, January 22, 2008, 5:35 pmOK, but I just need to point out that this is not a constitutional amendment bill. All of those died.
Posted by vjp | Tuesday, January 22, 2008, 5:45 pmi was very happy to sign the pettion, maybe some has some common sense in richmond thank you for the insight.
Posted by JACK STILES | Wednesday, January 23, 2008, 9:26 am