By Rob Moritz and John Lyon “The good news is, there are Arkansas News Bureau finally a lot of maps being LITTLE ROCK — A Senate panel discussed on the Senate side, today rejected the only and I think that’s what we congressional redistricting need to do, come to a proposal that has passed compromise,” said Sen. either chamber of the Gilbert Baker, R-Conway, a Legislature. member of the committee. Also today, Gov. Mike Beebe “There is a compromise here,” said he is considering he said. “To just say that vetoing two bills not related the Fayetteville finger is to redistricting. the only thing, take it or The Senate Agencies and leave it, is not compromise.” Governmental Affairs Baker said some Senate Committee is to meet again Democrats had drawn a map and today to consider other hope to run it in committee proposals on how to redraw today. the boundaries for the “I’ve got a map … that keeps state’s four congressional the Delta whole, even districts based on the 2010 U. distribution, and I hope we S. Census. might have a chance to look The House and Senate at it (today,)” Baker said. reconvened today to try to He said he was not sure his break an impasse on proposal could receive the congressional redistricting endorsement of the committee, that kept the regular which includes four session’s clock ticking past Republicans and four last Friday’s deadline. Democrats. The Senate convened briefly, Speaking against HB 1322 then recessed for a meeting during the committee meeting of the state agencies panel. were Jackie Martin of Quitman The panel is where all of the with the “We The People Tea remaining congressional Party Coalition;” Michael redistricting legislation Lindsey, vice president of rests, including a House- the Rogers-Lowell Area approved bill to move Chamber of Commerce; and Fayetteville from the 3rd Scott Van Laningham, vice District to the 4th. president of the Northwest House Bill 1322 failed on a Arkansas Council. voice vote after more than an Speaking for the bill was hour of testimony and debate. former Washington County “The people that this is Prosecutor Terry Jones of affecting overwhelmingly Fayetteville. don’t want this to pass,” If members cannot agree on said Sen. Bill Pritchard, R- any proposal, there could be Elkins, noting that a recent a move in the Senate to pull poll of Fayetteville one of the measures out and residents found that 83 vote it up or down on the percent opposed moving from floor. Senate rules would the 3rd to the 4th District. require a two-day waiting Pritchard said the proposal period before a vote. was “politically motivated” Meanwhile, Beebe told and drawn to help a Democrat reporters he is leaning win the 1st District in toward vetoing one bill and eastern Arkansas, which the considering vetoing a second party lost last year, and to bill, although “I may have cut the “heart” out of the been satisfied that it 3rd District, the Republican doesn’t require a veto.” He stronghold in Northwest said the measures are “money Arkansas. bills” but would not name Rep. Clark Hall, D-Marvell, them. sponsor of HB 1322, known as “I hope to make a decision the “Fayetteville finger,” (Tuesday),” he said. said there is no easy The House recessed until solution to a redistricting Thursday after a 10-minute problem that requires more session that included the than 100,000 residents of the opening gavel, prayer, the 3rd District to be placed Pledge of Allegiance and a into another district while reading of a list of bills adding at least 70,000 to the that have now become law. 4th District to balance the Rep. Bobby Pierce, D-Sheridan, populations of the four announced that a cup in the districts. House that members were “We tried to be inclusive,” supposed to put money into Hall said. “We tried took each time they cursed into consideration as many collected $2,560. The money people as we could.” will be donated to the Red Sen. Kim Hendren, R-Gravette, Cross’ disaster relief described HB 1322 as efforts in Japan, he said. “gerrymandering,” and said he House Speaker Robert S. Moore hoped the committee could Jr., D-Arkansas City, told ultimately come to an Pierce, “I would acknowledge agreement on a compromise. that’s a lot of money, but I After the committee adjourned, think there was more swearing senators gathered back in the than that.” Senate chambers and could be Just before adjourning the seen exchanging a number of session, Moore quipped, brightly colored “Members, I know it’s been redistricting maps and asking and long and arduous day, but for suggestions and comments. we made it through it.”
Tags: approved, House, panel, plan, redistricting, rejects, Senate
