The decision hasn't made the papers yet, as it only occurred this morning: http://www.9news.com/storyfull.aspx?storyid=21495 "The Colorado Supreme Court today ruled 5-2 in favor of the state's Democrats by declaring unconstitutional a 2003 Congressional redistricting effort by Republican state lawmakers...
"...The court ruled the Legislature can only re-draw the state's Congressional districts after each census and before the upcoming general election. ""Consequently, the General Assembly's 2003 redistricting plan is not permitted by the Colorado Constitution because it is the second redistricting plan after the 2000 census," wrote Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey in a majority opinion. "Until Congress apportions seats to Colorado after the next federal census, the Secretary of State is ordered to conduct congressional elections according to the (2002) plan." "In a dissent opinion, Justice Rebecca Love Kourlis wrote that she fundamentally disagrees with the majority opinion, "Courts cannot be lawmakers under Article V of the Colorado Constitution. Courts do not enact or create laws; courts declare what the law is and what it requires. To hold otherwise violates the clear language... of the Colorado Constitution, which delineates the separation of powers among the three coordinate branches of Colorado government." "At stake in the fight, potentially two of Colorado's seven congressional seats. Republicans currently maintain a 5-2 advantage in Colorado's delegation. Democrats hope to pick up two more of those seats now that the court has ruled in their favor. "House Speaker Lola Spradley says she is disappointed even though she expected the Colorado Supreme Court's ruling. She said she expects the state's Republicans to challenge the decision in the federal courts. They have three days in which to file that motion. ""This is a clear instance of judicial activism and citizens of this state should be very concerned," Spradley said. "It's another case where judges have taken power away from the legislature and reserved it for themselves. These judges do not stand for election and therefore are not accountable to the people." "Colorado's case has garnered national attention from Republican and Democratic politicians nationwide. Other redistricting efforts have since taken place in Texas. "State GOP Chairman Ted Halaby had said this case could end up in the U.S. Supreme Court if there are conflicting decisions in Colorado and Texas, which also has a pending court challenge..." See, Texas Isn't The Only State With Gerrymandering Issues Maru ;) __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now http://companion.yahoo.com/ _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
