As Republicans set the stage for a vote on their redistricting plan next week, Democrats continued to heap criticism and concerns on to the plan. Organizational committees held votes Monday to schedule the GOP-drawn Legislative and Congressional district maps for votes starting next Tuesday.
Republicans contend they are fulfilling an obligation to draw new maps following the 2010 census. However, Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) argues the maps may be unconstitutional.
Barca says Democrats’ early reviews of the proposal have raised concerns about how the lines were drawn, in terms of the demographics of the districts and how it divides or combines some municipalities. The Kenosha Democrat says it “raises some red flags” for them so far and worries the maps could end up in court if the Legislature passes them as currently proposed.
Barca is not saying who could bring those challenges though, noting that legislative Democrats have not been given funding to hire their own attorney. He’s also calling on Governor Scott Walker to get involved in the process, calling it a significant test of leadership.
Speaking with reporters Monday afternoon, Walker said he will evaluate the maps before making a decision on them. He says it’s too early to comment on the process used by the Legislature to draw the maps. Walker also says that the public seems to be more interested in lawmakers working together on education, jobs, and health care.
A public hearing on the redistricting proposal is scheduled for Wednesday this week.
