Actually I'm happy to SUPPORT Rep. Kahn's proposal. Are you serious in suggesting that we shouldn't have an election because it costs money? Do you want to just cancel the next couple of elections to save a few bucks?
Constitutionally the primary reason we have a census is so that we can equalize the populations of the districts we use to elect our representatives. That the current 6th Ward has 122% of the population of the current 12th Ward (33,364 vs. 27,363) based on the 2000 census is likely a violation of the Voting Rights Act. The segregationists back in the 60's liked such an arrangement. Under represent a district with lots of minorities (6th Ward) and over represent a district that is mostly White (12th Ward). So our most over represented wards are the 1st, 11th, 12th, and 13th. Anyone want to guess which wards have the fewest minority residents? Anyone think the current arrangement would withstand a Voting Rights Act challenge? Terrell Brown Loring Park [EMAIL PROTECTED] -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Jenny Heiser Sent: Monday, February 24, 2003 2:10 PM To: MN-POLITICS-ANNOUNCE; Mpls Forum Subject: [Mpls] MN House Committee Hearing on Rep. Kahn's H.F. 67 Bill Please see the information, below, regarding the time and location of this hearing. The City of Minneapolis is lobbying against this bill on the grounds that it violates the principle of local control. This legislation essentially allows the state to dictate to Minneapolis, a city of the first-class, how its election laws should read. In addition, holding a special election in 2003 in Minneapolis would cost city taxpayers almost $500,000 - a cost hard to bear in these times of economic hardship for the city. Please let your local MN Representative know that you do not support this bill, let this committee's members know that you want them to vote against it. Contact info is below, following the committee hearing information. Come to the committee hearing if you can. A number of Minneapolis officials and city staff will be testifying at this hearing. Share This Information With Your Family, Friends, Neighbors, Co-Workers WEDNESDAY, February 26, 2003 2:30 PM Committee: Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs Room: 200 State Office Building Chair: Rep. Jerry Dempsey Bill(s) Added Agenda: <snip> **** HF 67 (Kahn) City council members election required after reapportionment. **** __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, more http://taxes.yahoo.com/ TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
