Well, hot on the heels of my clucking-clucking about Minneapolis appropriateness comes this announcement from the MINNESOTA Planning Commission about the Governor's Redistricting Advisory commission. The Minneapolis angle? The Gov is specifically seeking at least one urban representative to advise him on affecting the next decade's Congressional and legislative boundaries. This is important for Minneapolis, which could, according to some plans, be thrown together with St. Paul in one "urban" Congressional district, or continue to control its own "West Metro" sphere of influence. Also, with Minneapolis projected to lose perhaps one legislative district, drawing of those boundaries could be major. For you political-geography geeks...note the deadline is THIS FRIDAY (I just got this today). David Brauer List manager, Minneapolis-issue Governor to form citizen advisory commission on redistricting For immediate release Dec. 1, 2000 Contact: Laura Sether, 651-282-5472, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Gerry Drewry, 651-297-1599, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Gov. Jesse Ventura will be assembling an 11-member citizen advisory commission to work with the Administration on a redistricting plan that will fairly represent the people of Minnesota, Dean Barkley announced this morning. Barkley, director of Minnesota Planning, will be chair of the task force. "The Administration has been working closely with the two houses of the Legislature as we approach the redistricting process," Barkley said. "We are hopeful that the Legislature and the Administration can agree on an evenhanded plan, with politically competitive districts. We want to avoid sending the responsibility of drawing the map to the courts, as has been the practice every decade over the last half-century." Redistricting of Congressional and Legislative districts is done every 10 years, using data from the U.S. Census. The Legislature has an informal deadline of March 19, 2002, to pass a redistricting plan. After that, if a plan has not been agreed upon, the courts may intervene and draw the new boundaries. The Governor is asking each of the four major political parties, Common Cause and the League of Women Voters to name a member to serve on the advisory commission. He will appoint four additional members, making sure there is representation from urban, suburban and outstate Minnesota, as well as minority and gender balance on the commission. "We're looking for people who are knowledgeable about redistricting and can be fair and objective," Barkley said. He will chair the selection process, as well as the commission. He will also serve as the tie-breaking vote. Persons interested in serving on the advisory commission should contact Laura Sether at Minnesota Planning by Friday, Dec. 15. She can be reached at 651-282-5472, or by e-mail at [EMAIL PROTECTED] -end-
