BOISE, ID. – A bipartisan group reached unanimous agreement today on a plan to redraw Idaho’s legislative map.
The mood is giddy at the Idaho Statehouse today, where the redistricting commission agreed on boundaries for the state’s legislative districts. Members say mutual respect and a desire to avoid party politics were key factors. Democrat Elmer Martinez is a former state legislator from Pocatello.
Elmer Martinez: “It’s not one party versus the other party it’s the commission working for the benefit of the whole state.”
Republican Commissioner Randy Hansen of Twin Falls says they had some help from the first commission. That commission failed to reach agreement within the mandated ninety days. It did submit an unofficial plan later.
Randy Hansen: “We were able to see where the weaknesses were in their plan and as a result I think it helped us to develop our ideals very quickly.”
Several incumbent lawmakers would compete against each other in the 2012 elections. That’s if the commission’s plan doesn’t get challenged. For instance, both the Speaker of the House and House Majority Leader would face members of their own Republican party. Commissioners plan to return to the Statehouse Monday to work on a Congressional map.
Copyright 2011 Boise State Public Radio