HEARING ALERT! The Redistricting Reform Act of 2020

[Editor]

Hearing To Be Held At 1:00 PM On Governor Hogan’s Proposal To Remove Partisan Politics From Redistricting Process


Senate Education, Health, And Environmental Affairs Committee To Hold Hearing On Governor Hogan’s Proposals, SB 284 And SB 266

• Governor Hogan’s Proposed Legislation Institutes A Nonpartisan Redistricting Process For Congressional And Legislative Districts, Also Provides Criteria For Congressional Districts.
• The 2020 Legislative Session Is The Fifth Year In A Row In Which Governor Hogan Has Introduced Legislation To Establish Nonpartisan Redistricting In Maryland; Members Of The General Assembly Have Repeatedly Refused To Take A Vote On This Common Sense Legislation.

Governor Hogan Has Been A Champion For Redistricting Reform In Maryland And Across The Nation


In August 2015, Governor Hogan Signed An Executive Order Establishing The Maryland Redistricting Reform Commission. “Governor Larry Hogan today signed Executive Order 01.01.2015.21, establishing the Maryland Redistricting Reform Commission. The commission, which fulfills a commitment by Governor Hogan to address Maryland’s redistricting process, will be made up of four members appointed by House and Senate leadership, as well as representatives from policy research and voter and government reform organizations. Governor Hogan directly appointed seven members of the commission, all of whom were announced today.“ (Press Release, “Governor Larry Hogan Signs Executive Order Establishing Maryland Redistricting Reform Commission,” Office Of The Governor, 8/6/15)


Governor Hogan Has Teamed Up With Governor Schwarzenegger to Push For Fair and Free Elections. “Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan on Tuesday urged the U.S. Supreme Court to act on partisan gerrymandering, calling the matter ‘one of the most important issues in America today.’ … Outside the courthouse, Hogan — appearing with fellow Republican and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger — spoke in a hoarse voice against the practice of drawing political districts to favor a particular political party.” (Jennifer Barrios, “Hogan, Schwarzengger urge Supreme Court to act on partisan gerrymandering,” The Washington Post, 3/26/19)


Governor Hogan Signed Common Cause’s ‘End Gerrymandering Pledge.’ “Governor Larry Hogan has signed Common Cause’s ‘End Gerrymandering Pledge,’ in a reaffirmation of his support for redistricting in Maryland. Common Cause, a nonpartisan organization based in Washington, D.C., created the pledge because the group believes that ‘redistricting should be fair, transparent, non-discriminatory and politically impartial.’ Other notable public figures who have taken the pledge include former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the 82nd U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.” (“Gov. Hogan Signs ‘End Gerrymandering Pledge’, Vows To Reintroduce Redistricting Reform Act In 2020,” WJZ, 11/6/19)


Governor Hogan Has Stated That Redistricting Should Be Taken Out Of The Hands Of Politicians. “Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan says he believes congressional redistricting should be taken out of the hands of politicians, ‘regardless of who the governor is or what party's in power.’" (“Hogan Backs Redistricting Reform, No Matter Who’s In Power,” Associated Press, 1/18/18)


Governor Hogan Urged President Obama, National Political Leaders, And The Supreme Court To Take Action To End Gerrymandering


In A Letter To Then President Obama, Governor Hogan Urged The President To Intervene And Encourage Legislators To Take Up The Redistricting Reform Legislation. “As you said in your most recent State of the Union Address: ‘We have to end the practice of drawing our congressional districts so that politicians can pick their voters, and not the other way around. Let a bipartisan group do it.’ On this issue, we are in complete agreement… There are only days left in the legislative session, and next year, we may not have as strong an advocate in the White House as you have been on this issue. With your intervention, I believe we could set things right in Maryland.” (Letter From Governor Hogan To President Obama: Redistricting, Office Of The Governor, 3/31/16)

 

[Editor]

In Letters To President Obama And Former Attorney General Eric Holder, Governor Hogan Praised Efforts That That Both Have Taken To Advocate For Redistricting Reform In States Across The Nation; Urged Both To “Put The Same Emphasis On Efforts Here In Maryland.” “I am grateful for the commitment you and the National Democratic Redistricting Committee have made in developing a comprehensive redistricting strategy with the aim of creating fair electoral maps. I am in complete agreement with your goal of rebuilding a democracy where voters pick their elected representatives - not the other way around… I applaud you, Attorney General Holder, and the National Democratic Redistricting Committee for advocating ballot measures in Colorado, Utah, Michigan, and Missouri to establish nonpartisan redistricting commissions. I write today to request that you put the same emphasis on efforts here in Maryland. It is my hope that we can join the ongoing list of states establishing nonpartisan redistricting commissions to ensure fair elections. With your support, I believe we can set things right in Maryland.” (Letter, Governor Hogan To President Obama Re: Redistricting Reform,” Office Of The Governor, 2/27/19)


Governor Hogan Joined An Amicus Brief With A Group Of Bipartisan Governors In Support Of The Plaintiffs In The Benisek V. Lamone Supreme Court Case, Involving Maryland’s Sixth Congressional District. “Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, said Thursday he will sign on to an amicus brief that will be filed with the Supreme Court in a case examining the redrawing of one of the state’s congressional districts. Hogan will join an amicus brief to be filed in support of the plaintiffs in the case, Benisek v. Lamone. Maryland Republican voters are challenging Democrats’ redrawing of the state’s 6th Congressional District.” (Melissa Quinn, “Larry Hogan To Join Amicus Brief Backing GOP Voters In Maryland Redistricting Case Before Supreme Court,” Washington Examiner, 1/18/18)


Members Of The General Assembly Have Consistently Rejected The Will Of The Public By Opposing Governor Hogan’s Push For Independent Redistricting Reform In Maryland


73% Of Marylanders Have Supported Independent, Nonpartisan Redistricting. “Redistricting reform continues to be popular among Marylanders. Seventy-three percent prefer a system where districts are determined by an independent commission and 20 percent prefer a system where districts are determined by the state’s elected officials. Currently, district lines in Maryland are determined by the state’s elected officials and are readjusted after each US Census.” (“Goucher Poll,” Goucher, 2/27/17)


The Washington Post: Maryland Is The Most Gerrymandered State In America. “With average gerrymander scores of about 88 out of a possible 100, Maryland and North Carolina are home to some of the ugliest districts in the nation among states with at least three Congressional districts.” (Christopher Ingraham, “America’s Most Gerrymandered Congressional Districts,” The Washington Post, 5/15/15)


The Baltimore Sun: Governor Hogan Has The “Right Idea” On The On Independent Redistricting. “This should be the year for Mr. Hogan to make a major push for redistricting reform. He's got the right idea, with a plan for an independent commission balanced between Democrats, Republicans and independents, and he has the people on his side.” (Editorial, “Annapolis Agenda,” The Baltimore Sun, 1/12/16)


The Washington Post Editorial: The Only Marylanders Opposed To Governor Hogan’s Redistricting Proposal Are Democrats In Maryland’s General Assembly. “With two weeks remaining in Maryland’s three-month legislative session, Democratic lawmakers in Annapolis have stopped just short of extending a Bronx cheer to Gov. Larry Hogan’s proposal for nonpartisan redistricting reform… It is favored by large majorities of Democrats and Republicans; men and women; blacks and whites; young and old. Indeed, almost no other issue in the state elicits such one-sidedly favorable reaction. Practically the only Marylanders who overwhelmingly oppose Mr. Hogan’s blueprint are Democrats in the General Assembly.” (Editorial, “Maryland’s Democratic Lawmakers Show Contempt For Voters,” The Washington Post, 6/27/16)


Carroll County Times Editorial: “...This is about political power, and taking care of themselves, rather than doing something Maryland voters overwhelmingly support.” (Editorial, “Maryland Democrats May Regret Lack Of Support For Redistricting Reform,” Carroll County Times, 3/21/17)


Frederick News-Post Editorial: “Democrats Rejection Of Bipartisan Redistricting Is A Missed Opportunity” (Editorial, Frederick News-Post, 3/23/17)

 

[stgislander]

Well Larry, wish in one hand and sh!t in the other. See which one gets filled up first.