Redistricting bill sparks action by Minnesota reform coalition
SAINT PAUL, Minnesota—A reform bill that would create an independent commission to oversee redistricting process in Minnesota received a hearing this week.The legislative committee did not invite testimony, but several members of Minnesota’s reform coalition sent a letter in support of the bill.
The Minnesota legislature and governor have failed to agree on new jurisdictional boundaries on three of the past four occasions.
The next redistricting is slated for 2011.
The bipartisan reform group recommends that the map-drawing task be placed initially in the hands of a five-member commission, comprised of retired district or appellate court judges. Leaders of the four legislative caucuses, two DFLers and two Republicans, would each choose one commission member. The commission itself would choose the fifth. No judge who had previously served in elective partisan office could serve.
