The Legislature had no intention of passing a redistricting reform bill, even after the state Senate resurrected the idea on Wednesday. But on Thursday, the last day to act to get the measure on the November ballot, the Assembly adjourned because the Senate did not "transmit" the bill in time for Assembly members to vote on it.

This "technical" problem occurred even though we're in the 21st century and the bill package is not being delivered by pony express. The Senate clerk only had to walk it a few yards over to the Assembly clerk. But somehow that didn't happen, although seven other bills with no time element happened to be transmitted to the Assembly.

Wouldn't it be nice if they were honest and just said they refuse to let go of their power to draw the boundaries of their own districts? But they say they should turn redistricting power over to an independent commission and then promise to do it -- just not right now. . . or maybe never.