http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/redistricting/ en-us Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:12:12 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416675/posts A total of 10 seats would shift among 17 states if the reapportionment of the U.S. House were held today, according to an analysis by the Virginia-based consulting firm Election Data Services (EDS). That analysis is based on estimates of each state’s population on July 1, 2009, that were released early Wednesday by the Census Bureau. While this overall number of seat switches is within range of previous annual estimates by EDS, there were surprises in the state-by-state projections of seat gains and losses. And, perhaps most importantly, the firm’s report underscored how much is still in flux with the... CQ politics http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416675/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:12:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410803/posts Of these four ideas, the first is closest to becoming reality. There's a citizen petition drive to change the way Florida draws voting districts, aiming for the 2010 ballot. This effort is called Fair Districts Florida. Its Web site is www.fairdistrictsflorida.org. It is circulating two petitions, one for congressional races and one for the Legislature. Under these two constitutional amendments, voting districts could not be drawn "to favor or disfavor an incumbent or political party." SP Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410803/posts#comment Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:36:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2393466/posts If you’re a public employee union member of the CTA, or SEIU, you’re qualified to apply and sit on the commission. How can that be; shouldn’t someone who pays union dues to a huge political influence like the public employee unions be considered a politically involved citizen in the process of campaigns and legislation that comes from votes in the Capitol? These employees and union members, administration officials and bosses stand to directly benefit if the district lines produce more sympathetic politicos who eventually vote for contracts, pension plans and government workforce numbers. Worse yet, will we see ACORN organize... Hogue News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2393466/posts#comment Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:49:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2393218/posts Could the Public Employee Unions commandeer the Citizens Redistricting Commission? Coming December 15th, the California State Auditor’s Office will begin receiving applications for the new “Rock Star Commission”, a group of normal citizens who will be selected to re-draw the lines of California’s State Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization Districts starting with the elections in 2012. In a previous HOGUE NEWS exclusive piece, I revealed the importance of this commission and the power they will be handed in determining California’s future. I am excited that California will remove the politicians from the census process of drawing district lines for... Hogue News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2393218/posts#comment Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:17:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2389042/posts With most of the state beginning to focus on their favorite candidate for the Primary Election coming next June, nobody is paying any attention to the selection of fourteen regular citizens who will become “Rock Stars” come February 2010. Next year fourteen citizens will be known as the “Citizens Redistricting Commission” for California’s future; regular people who will be selected from thousands of applicants between December 15, 2009 and February 15, 2010 put in charge of coloring the Golden State’s future. Have you read the application and qualification process here? These people will be "rick stars", and politically ignorant. The... Hogue News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2389042/posts#comment Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:02:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2348067/posts [snip] As 2010 is a census year, shortly thereafter, the Indiana General Assembly, as well as the legislatures of the other states, will begin the process of redrawing the lines for the various districts around the states. As with most states, Indiana’s current districts make far more political sense than practical sense. The maps look as if they were draw with a paintball gun and random luck, rather than thoughtful consideration. Todd Rokita wants to change all that. The Journal of Business http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2348067/posts#comment Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:17:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2228466/posts Who Counts?: The next U.S. census chief wants to count people who aren't there. The acting director wants to count people who shouldn't be here. And Acorn will help do the counting.Back when he was the Census Bureau's associate director of statistical design, Robert M. Groves, nominated to be the next director of the bureau, recommended that the 1990 census be statistically adjusted to correct an alleged undercount of minorities in urban areas — areas that tend to vote heavily Democratic. Commerce Secretary Robert Mosbacher overruled him, saying the use of "statistical sampling," as it's known, was a form of... IBD Editorials http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2228466/posts#comment Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:14:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2234311/posts Please click on the link and vote thumbs down in this poll. This idiotic editorial is pitching redistricting so republicans don't have an advantage! LOL Orlando Sentinel http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2234311/posts#comment Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:08:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2213252/posts Census results probably will lead to jockeying for partisan representationNorth Carolina continues to be a fast-growing state. And new data released by the Census Bureau this past week shows the Raleigh area to be the fastest-growing metropolitan region in the nation. The increased population has a lot of demographers and politicians alike hoping that after the next census, North Carolina will get an additional congressional seat. The census will be conducted next year. Its purpose, as stipulated in the Constitution, is to find out how many people live in each of the states so that the number of members in... Gaston Gazette http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2213252/posts#comment Tue, 24 Mar 2009 06:15:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2210573/posts First it was President Obama trying to break all precedent and run the 2010 census from within the White House. While the administration finally backed down from that politicization of the census, it clearly hasn't learned its lesson. Now it is having ACORN officially "partner" with the Census to help count the number of Americans in the country. It's like Santa trusting a child to tell him how many times he or she has been good in the past year. We could write a book on the false voter registrations submitted by ACORN. There are bizarre stories, such as one... The Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2210573/posts#comment Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:23:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2192869/posts Republicans should begin to inform voters in swing states like New Hampshire, Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, and Iowa just how much political clout and federal money a crassly partisan Obama census process would cost the people and politicians of those states. Republicans should encourage bipartisan state resolutions to demand a census free of theoretical projections and guessing. Reapportionment produces as many losers as winners. It is for just this reason that it must be fair. The losers are never happy. Republicans must, as soon as practicable, let voters in states which would be cheated with a partisan census count know... American Thinker http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2192869/posts#comment Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:44:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2181190/posts The Obama administration is ending the Census Bureau's traditional autonomy – a move that has Republicans outraged over the White House's politicization of counting Americans. Last week, an administration official revealed that the yet-to-be-named director of the Census Bureau will report to the White House rather than Commerce Secretary nominee Judd Gregg, a Republican. That prompted a blistering response from two key Republicans on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. "Any attempt by the Obama administration to circumvent the census process for their political benefit will be met with fierce opposition as this ill-conceived proposal undermines a constitutionally obligated... Newsmax http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2181190/posts#comment Sun, 8 Feb 2009 23:32:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2180848/posts By Matthew Vadum Saturday, February 7, 2009 With all of Washington and most of the media mesmerized by debate on the porkulus bill, little attention has been paid to what appears to be an unconstitutional power grab by President Obama. The Obama administration reportedly wants the U.S. Census to be run directly out of the White House, as opposed to by a politically insulated official within the Department of Commerce. This would apparently be unprecedented and unlawful because federal law provides that the Census must be administered by the Commerce Department. Former Census director Bruce Chapman warns that no good... Canada Free Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2180848/posts#comment Sun, 8 Feb 2009 06:51:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2179470/posts The Obama administration acknowledged Thursday that the as-yet-unnamed Census Bureau director will have a direct line to the White House but sought to define the relationship as one in which the director would “work closely with” rather than report to President Obama’s senior staff. ***After black and Hispanic leaders raised concerns over Commerce Secretary-nominee Judd Gregg ’s commitment to core functions of the Census Bureau, a senior White House official told CQ on Wednesday that the director would report directly to the White House.*** That brought fire Thursday from Republicans, who accused the White House of attempting to gain advantage... CQ Politics http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2179470/posts#comment Fri, 6 Feb 2009 04:25:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2173483/posts As Republicans brace for a 2010 election cycle that begins their long road back to the majority, they do have one major weapon in their arsenal — redistricting. In 2000, Republicans used redistricting to solidify their majorities. Now, with the party reeling from two straight election losses, the landscape for the 2010 round of redistricting could provide them opportunities to regain some of those seats and add some new ones. The 2010 census could add multiple House seats to red-leaning states — as many as four districts to Texas and two each to Arizona and Florida. And it could subtract... The Hill http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2173483/posts#comment Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:35:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2130223/posts One looks like a Tyrannosaurus Rex. One is called the "Ribbon of Shame." Some have arms. Some have fingers. Many seem to defy logic. They're California's state Assembly and Senate - but not Congressional - districts, and they will change after the next Census. That's not new, of course. Districts change every 10 years. But because of Proposition 11, which passed narrowly last week, the new legislative districts that will take effect for the 2012 elections will be drawn by an independent commission, rather than by state lawmakers. That could have big implications for the state's balance of power in... Valley Press on http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2130223/posts#comment Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:31:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2119961/posts Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger teams up with former business partner (in Planet Hollywood) and actor Sylvester Stallone for a fundraiser tonight in La Jolla. The money goes toward passing Proposition 11, the redistricting measure on the Nov. 4 ballot. --snip-- Chairs of the events (those who give $25,000) get two seats at the head table, 10 dinner tickets and two photos each for two people with Schwarzenegger and Stallone. Sac Bee http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2119961/posts#comment Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:31:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2114497/posts T A X P A Y E R U P D A T E . . . from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (www.HJTA.org) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- HJTA's 2008 Ballot Recommendations Propositions 1, 3 and 10 on this November's ballot, if approved, will add another $32 billion -- including interest -- to our alreadysubstantial debt burden. Vote no on Propositions 1, 3 and 10. With state and local governments massively in debt, HJTA also urges voters to reject all local bonds. HJTA recommends approval of Proposition 11. This will make legislative elections more competitive and politicians more responsive to average voters. Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2114497/posts#comment Fri, 24 Oct 2008 22:28:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2114108/posts Reporting from Sacramento -- The chief cheerleader and fundraiser for Proposition 11, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, has insisted that the push to change how voting districts are drawn is bipartisan. But the half-million dollars donated to the backers' campaign last week by Florida businessmen with Republican ties has fueled opponents' claims that it's a GOP power grab. "Republicans from Florida are giving huge donations to this initiative for one reason," said Paul Hefner, spokesman for the campaign against the measure. "They're convinced it helps their cause and hurts Democrats." At the posh Fort Lauderdale home of well-connected attorney and Republican backer... LA Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2114108/posts#comment Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:09:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2110842/posts In an appearance in San Diego today promoting Proposition 11, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called passage of Proposition 11 "the most important thing." But Schwarzenegger also hinted at what good-government reform he might tackle next: open primaries. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled such a system in Washington state constitutional earlier this year. Political scientists generally believe open primaries lead to more moderate, centrist candidates. So here's what Schwarzenegger had to say today: "We will change the way the district lines are drawn and we will change the performance in Sacramento and will create more performance. And, of course, the next thing... Sacramento Bee http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2110842/posts#comment Tue, 21 Oct 2008 03:12:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2107334/posts Jarvis Taxpayers Association Endorses Proposition 11 The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association has announced the endorsement of Proposition 11 to stop the conflict of interest of lawmakers drawing their own districts and choosing the voters they want to help ensure their reelection. "The current system fixes elections so that fewer than five percent of state representatives face a challenge to their reelection," said HJTA president Jon Coupal. "This has resulted in a climate where lawmakers do not have to be accountable to voters for effectively addressing problems like on-going budget deficits and out-of-control spending." Proposition 11 will take the power to... Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2107334/posts#comment Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:40:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2107138/posts Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will campaign today with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg for Proposition 11, an initiative to change how California draws its district boundaries. The two will appear publicly at the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce offices, joined by representatives from AARP, California Common Cause and other organizations. --snip-- Schwarzenegger and Bloomberg have worked together to promote federal infrastructure investment. And the Republican governor once called Bloomberg his "soul mate," a reference to their shared moderate political views. Sac Bee http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2107138/posts#comment Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:17:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2079581/posts SACRAMENTO — If you want a less-polarized Legislature — if you want lawmakers who can actually compromise to get things done, such as agreeing on a budget — redistricting reform is not the answer. That's the finding of a report released Tuesday night by the Public Policy Institute of California, throwing into doubt the campaign message of Proposition 11, which would take the power to draw political boundaries away from lawmakers and hand it to a 14-member commission. Proponents have argued that the measure, which is on the Nov. 4 ballot, would rid Sacramento of the partisan bickering by setting... Contra Costa Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2079581/posts#comment Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:42:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2069883/posts Ban on Gay Marriage Trails -- Voters Split on Teen Abortion Constraints, Redistricting SAN FRANCISCO, California, August 27, 2008 — A majority of California’s likely voters oppose Proposition 8, the November ballot measure that would eliminate gay marriage, according to a statewide survey released today by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) with funding from The James Irvine Foundation. Likely voters are divided on two other closely watched measures – one that would require a parent to be notified before a teenager has an abortion and one that would take the power to draw legislative district lines away from... Public Policy Institute of California http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2069883/posts#comment Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:11:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2065822/posts The Mackinac Center for Public Policy has obtained a document outlining details of what would become the "Reform Michigan Government Now" ballot initiative. The document, in the form of a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation, bears the blunt title: "GOVERNMENT REFORM PROPOSAL: Changing the rules of politics in Michigan to help Democrats." According to the UAW Region 1-C Web site where the document was originally found,* this presentation was given to local union officials at a leadership conference in late May or early June. UAW officials have not returned our calls, and both the presentation and a brief article that referred to... Mackinac Center for Public Policy http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2065822/posts#comment Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:17:19 GMT