Democrats again have blocked progress on legislative redistricting, raising questions about whether they are serious about fixing a process that has essentially rigged elections in California by manipulating district boundaries. E.J. Schultz of The Bee's Capitol Bureau reports that the state Senate delayed a vote today on redistricting reform because Democrats wanted more time to review the plan. The bill could come up again in August. This looks a lot like a stalling tactic from lawmakers who really don't want redistricting reform.
The legislation, which also would have to be approved by voters, would give redistricting authority to an 11-member commission. It would take the process from legislators who have a built-in conflict of interest on the issue. Commissioners would be appointed by retired appellate court justices, although the Legislature would have some say in their selection.
Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, and Sen. Roy Ashburn, R-Bakersfield, co-authored the state constitutional amendment.
But Senate Democrats got cold feet and delayed a vote on the much-needed reform.
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