Tuesday, January 21, 2014

What Are the Odds That Governor Walker Calls for Redistricting Reform in his State of the State Address?


Detail

Common Cause, 1/21/2014

A lot of Wisconsin newspaper editorial boards think he should.

Here's a sampling.

Appleton Post-Crescent, 1/18/2014.
Editorial: Walker should push for hearing on redistricting reform.

At best, you can call it back-handed support. Walker has had a mix of positions on the issue. He told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last year that this would be the time to discuss it, with the next census not until 2020. He told the Wisconsin State Journal he would “probably” support the reform bill if it passed the Legislature. And he told the Beloit Daily News in October that he wasn’t opposed to a public hearing but wouldn’t push it.

Beloit Daily News, 1/18/2014.
Chance to lead on redistricting.

What would Robin Vos say?  We urge him to include it, in the interest of democracy and fair play. Legislative leaders and Assembly and Senate committee chairs have made it clear they are unwilling to allow reform proposals even to be discussed. But a direct request from Governor Walker almost certainly would change that dynamic and break the deadlock so redistricting changes at least could be fully and openly debated.

Green Bay Press Gazette, 1/18/2014
Editorial: Walker should call for public hearings on redistricting.

Here is what's being proposed.    Two proposals — Assembly Bill 185 and Senate Bill 163 — would change the way the state draws voting boundaries based on the Iowa model. The bills call for a nonpartisan commission of the Legislative Reference Bureau to draw the maps without regard to where incumbents live and with compact and contiguous districts that follow ward boundaries.  (AB185 and SB163 are one and the same.  Of the 47 legislative co-sponsors, only 1, Dale Schultz, is a Republican.)

La Crosse Tribune, 1/19/2014
Our view:  Walker must lead on redistricting.  

Easy to say, perhaps, knowing that your colleagues in both houses of the legislature won't move it forward.  Walker last year told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that now is the time to discuss nonpartisan redistricting. He also told the Wisconsin State Journal that he would “probably” support Iowa-style redistricting if such a proposal reached his desk 

Wisconsin State Journal, 1/19/2014
'My fellow citizens, it's time for a public hearing on redistricting reform.'

What are the odds?

Well, you won't find redistricting mentioned here.

Scott Walker promises property tax cut, lower income tax withholding.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 1/15/2014)

Related posts:
Editorial Boards Make Sport of Rep. Chad Weininger. (12/11/2013)
Much to their chagrin, Republicans can't make redistricting reform go away.  (12/10/2013)
Redistricting pipe dream.  (12/9/2013)
An unintended consequence of redistricting.  (11/12/2013)
Taxpayer money and political contributions.  (11/2/2013)
Iowa's nonpartisan approach to legislative redistricting.  (10/14/2013)
Wisconsin State Journal editorial board not impressed with The Little Soldier.  (10/14/2013)
Against much evidence to the contrary, Sen Neil Kedzie (R-Elklhorn) spouts the company line.  (9/20/2013)
Wisconsin Democratic legislators who have yet to sign on as co-sponsors of Senate Bill 163/Assembly Bill 185 (Redistricting Reform) -- UPDATED.  (9/17/2013) 
Common Cause in Wisconsin calling out Sen. Lazich and Rep. August.  (8/19/2013) 
Undoubtedly, Tyler August is just following orders.  (8/12/2013)
Will Republican Leadership in Wisconsin Fail to Support Redistricting Reform? (7/22/2013)
The Redistricting Weasels Sing a Chorus of "Because I said so!!"  (5/16/2013)
Common Cause in Wisconsin asks, "Do your state legislators support non-partisan redistricting reform?"  (5/14/2013)
A trio of non-responses in this redistricting story.  (4/22/2013) 
Actually, Robin, Your Riposte is Patently Absurd.  (12/30/2012)  Expect a Frigid Reception from Wisconsin Republicans to This Redistricting Bill.  (12/7/2012)
Close, but no cigar, in this Republican redistricting effort to steal an Assembly seat.  (11/20/2012)
Redistricting in Wisconsin:  The plumber controls the spigot.  (11/15/2012)
Eric Litke can't see the forest for the trees.  (11/12/2012)
Robin Vos and religious imagery.  (10/15/2012)
The faces of gerrymandering.  (10/9/2012)
What it's all about in Wisconsin.  (8/1/2012)
Who's running for state office in Wisconsin:  31st Assembly District.  (7/4/2012)
Not anymore!  (2/7/2012)
Redistricting in Wisconsin:  the Basics.  (12/6/2011)
Define "judicial activism".  (12/3/2011)
More headaches but this time Sen. Lazich has the cure.  (10/27/2011)
Legislative redistricting in Wisconsin, part 2.  (10/24/2011)
Legislative redistricting in Wisconsin,  part 1.  (10/18/2011)
Legislative Reference Bureau legislative brief:  Local redistricting readjustment.  (9/6/2011)
Let's call this bill exactly what it is:  an unfunded mandate.  (7/21/2011)
Wisconsin redistricting plan popeils DeForest, Windsor.  (7/21/2011)
Fred Clark gets redrawn out of  his district?  Just a coincidence, of course.  (7/21/2011)
Oshkosh Northwestern editorial board tells it like it is.  (7/29/2011)
Wisconsin legislative redistricting:  Abandoned principles, interactive maps, bill text, and more. (7/13/2011)
Congressional redistricting in Wisconsin.  (6/19/2011)

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