Since the 2010 election, Michigan Republicans have been intend on showing the public they know what's best for them, regardless of what the people have voted for in the past.
The Medical Marijuana initiative that passed in 2008? Attorney General Bill Schuette has been doing his best to dismantle it with court challenges.
The stem cell research initiative that passed in 2008? The Republican-controlled Legislature has imposed burdensome reporting requirements to try to stifle that job-creating, life-saving research.
The right to vote in local elections? Gone, or soon to be, in Benton Harbor, Ecorse, Pontiac, Flint, and Detroit.
And the latest afront to democracy and the rule of law is in Oakland County. Oakland County followed the same law that all the rest of Michigan's 83 counties did in drawing new districts for electing county commissioners. The clerk, treasurer, prosecutor, and heads of the county Democratic and Republican parties met and devised new boundaries for electing the county commissioners. It wasn't a problem for Oakland County before, but this time, a majority of that group was Democratic. Republicans didn't like the plan and challenged it in court, but the Michigan Court of Appeals said it met the legal guidelines and upheld it.
Not satisfied that the rules were followed, Republicans have decided to change the rules. A measure in the Legislature would allow the Oakland County Commission -- and only that county commission -- to draw their own boundaries. Republicans like that approach because they control the county commission, 15-10.
Lawmakers aren't even following their own rules in trying to change the rules for Oakland County. The Senate is skipping committee meetings to ram it through the Legislature before the holiday recess.
Republican abuse of power seems to know no boundaries.
Showing posts with label redistricting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label redistricting. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Cynical 'It Won't Change Anything' Attitude Hurts Redistricting Transparency
The Republican-dominated Legislature is rushing to approve a plan to draw new political boundary lines that will help determine who represents Michigan residents for the next decade. The rush means few people have had a chance to look at the map in any detail much less comment on it.
For something as crucial as the integrity of democractic representation, the process needs to be slowed down. But in the face of Democratic complaints, the Livingston Press and Argus is basically saying, "Sit down and shut up."
Says the editorial, "But the Democrats are barking up the wrong tree when they argue that the maps should tour the state for the summer to get public input before a final vote this fall. It's a nice idea, but other than giving partisans a chance for a forum, it won't change anything. Republicans are going to adopt the maps because they favor Republicans."
For an entity that depends on government transparency in order to do its job, that's an amazing statement. In effect, it's saying, "Why should we care what any government does? We don't have a vote and can't change it so just forget about it."
The editorial assumes there is no public interest at stake here aside from whatever the Republicans or Democrats want. It doesn't have to be that way. Years ago, I knew a newspaper colunmnist in another state who closely examined the redistricting plan put forward by the Republican Party. He demonstrated that it under-represented urban voters and over-represented rural voters. He wrote column after column about the unfairness and then challenged the author of the plan to a series of debates around the state. In the end, the plan was defeated and one that was fairer to a majority of voters in the state -- who lived in cities -- was adopted.
He didn't just throw up his hands and say, "Politics is politics and all you whiners shut up." He actually examined the proposal for fairness to voters and then did something about it. But he's dead now. I hope good journalism as it relates to redistricting hasn't died, too.
For something as crucial as the integrity of democractic representation, the process needs to be slowed down. But in the face of Democratic complaints, the Livingston Press and Argus is basically saying, "Sit down and shut up."
Says the editorial, "But the Democrats are barking up the wrong tree when they argue that the maps should tour the state for the summer to get public input before a final vote this fall. It's a nice idea, but other than giving partisans a chance for a forum, it won't change anything. Republicans are going to adopt the maps because they favor Republicans."
For an entity that depends on government transparency in order to do its job, that's an amazing statement. In effect, it's saying, "Why should we care what any government does? We don't have a vote and can't change it so just forget about it."
The editorial assumes there is no public interest at stake here aside from whatever the Republicans or Democrats want. It doesn't have to be that way. Years ago, I knew a newspaper colunmnist in another state who closely examined the redistricting plan put forward by the Republican Party. He demonstrated that it under-represented urban voters and over-represented rural voters. He wrote column after column about the unfairness and then challenged the author of the plan to a series of debates around the state. In the end, the plan was defeated and one that was fairer to a majority of voters in the state -- who lived in cities -- was adopted.
He didn't just throw up his hands and say, "Politics is politics and all you whiners shut up." He actually examined the proposal for fairness to voters and then did something about it. But he's dead now. I hope good journalism as it relates to redistricting hasn't died, too.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Michigan Resolutions for 2011
We're not quite done with our out-with-the-old, in-with-the-new news business cliches here at Living Blue. We've had our top ten stories of 2010 and our top ten predictions for 2011. But there's one more cliche -- the New Year's resolutions.
So here we go, with the first of these resolutions.
Michigan should resolve -- it must resolve -- to reform major pieces of how it conducts business. And Democrats in Michigan should resolve to write ballot issues addressing them and to put them on the ballot in 2012.
The first should re-write the way Michigan re-districts itself. The process should be taken out of the hands of the Legislature and the courts and be turned over to the Legislature's non-partisan bill-writing agency, the Legislative Service Bureau.
The service bureau would be required to write a redistricting plan for state Senate, state House, and congressional districts that meets key criteria such as crossing a miniminum of political boundaries, are reasonably intact, and so on, while being nearly equal in population. The plan would be due to the Legislature by July 1. Lawmakers could either accept or reject it, without any changes. If it is rejected, a second plan would be prepared by the Legislative Service Bureau and presented to the Legislature by Aug. 1. Lawmakers could either accept it or reject it, but could make no changes. If that plan is rejected by lawmakers, the Legislative Service Bureau would write a third plan, which would automatically take effect.
This is roughly the "Iowa plan" for redistricting. It is not perfect, but it is far more fair than the political wrangling that usually takes place. The goal of redistricting should be to create districts that make sense for the voters, not that favor the party in power over the other party, as is the case in Michigan right now.
Now is the ideal time to talk about reforming redistricting, while the ugly process is playing itself out. Voters, to the extent they ever tune in on something as arcane as redistricting, will be more aware of it than at any other time. As Democrats talk about their ballot issue and the need for fair, non-partisan redistricting, the spotlight will be turned on Republicans and their dirty political dealing.
Democrats should resolve to take the high road and back reform of the redistricting process and now is the ideal time to do it.
So here we go, with the first of these resolutions.
Michigan should resolve -- it must resolve -- to reform major pieces of how it conducts business. And Democrats in Michigan should resolve to write ballot issues addressing them and to put them on the ballot in 2012.
The first should re-write the way Michigan re-districts itself. The process should be taken out of the hands of the Legislature and the courts and be turned over to the Legislature's non-partisan bill-writing agency, the Legislative Service Bureau.
The service bureau would be required to write a redistricting plan for state Senate, state House, and congressional districts that meets key criteria such as crossing a miniminum of political boundaries, are reasonably intact, and so on, while being nearly equal in population. The plan would be due to the Legislature by July 1. Lawmakers could either accept or reject it, without any changes. If it is rejected, a second plan would be prepared by the Legislative Service Bureau and presented to the Legislature by Aug. 1. Lawmakers could either accept it or reject it, but could make no changes. If that plan is rejected by lawmakers, the Legislative Service Bureau would write a third plan, which would automatically take effect.
This is roughly the "Iowa plan" for redistricting. It is not perfect, but it is far more fair than the political wrangling that usually takes place. The goal of redistricting should be to create districts that make sense for the voters, not that favor the party in power over the other party, as is the case in Michigan right now.
Now is the ideal time to talk about reforming redistricting, while the ugly process is playing itself out. Voters, to the extent they ever tune in on something as arcane as redistricting, will be more aware of it than at any other time. As Democrats talk about their ballot issue and the need for fair, non-partisan redistricting, the spotlight will be turned on Republicans and their dirty political dealing.
Democrats should resolve to take the high road and back reform of the redistricting process and now is the ideal time to do it.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Crystal Ball-Gazing for 2011
It's time to get out the crystal ball and project what's ahead for Michigan and Livingston County in 2011. (Hint: It's not pretty.)
10. With Republicans in control in Lansing, the GOP will go after poor and working people with a vengeance, wacking programs such as health care for the poor, pensions for teachers, salaries of prison guards, and so on.
9. Republicans will look for someone to blame for their problems in balancing the state budget while giving huge tax breaks. They will turn to scape-goating
immigrants, passing anti-immigrant measures like Arizona's which will never save the hundreds of millions of dollars they claim but will burden everyone with having to carry papers to prove our citizenship over and over again.
8. Michigan's economy will continue to improve as out-going Gov. Jennifer Granholm's priorities for diversifying the economy continue to take hold and the reborn auto industry sees on-going growth. Republican Rick Snyder will take credit for the upswing and the news media will let him get away with it.
7. Michigan's film industry tax credts will survive any Republican repeal effort, but lawmakers will impose new reporting requirements that they would claim were burdensome and job-stifling if Democrats had imposed them on any other industry. Nevertheless, the new reports will let the news media write hard-hitting stories on topics such as how much money was spent on George Clooney's make-up for "Up in the Air." Rep. Cindy Denby will faux express outrage at the expense.
6. Republicans will attempt to override the will of the people by passing legislation repealing voter-approved measures allowing stem-cell research and medical marijuana.
5. Republicans will do their best to gerry-mander legislative and congressional districts so that more safe Republican districts are created, diminishing real voter choice at the polls. But redistricting at the congressional level in a way that protects all GOP incumbents will prove harder than they anticipate and create GOP in-fighting.
4. Rick Snyder will turn out to be far more conservative than the news media portrayed him during the campaign as the Engler administration appointees he brings in and the ultra-right Republican Party dictate policy on key issues.
3. The Howell school district will be embroiled in a new controversy that involves the right of Christians to be mean to anybody they want to because that's what they say their religion means, but really boils down to the administration wanting to beat up on teachers.
2. Livingston County will continue to shovel county responsibilities, such as law enforcement and road maintenance, onto local townships, requiring them to raise taxes so that Republican county commissioners can crow about their low tax rates. Services will continue to deteriorate, as wait times for 911 response go up and road conditions go down.
1. Townships such as Handy in Livingston County will have difficulty making their payments to the county for the $100 million spent for water and sewer systems built for private developers. Some townships will begin exploring naming an emergency financial manager, but the development will be concealed from the public for months.
10. With Republicans in control in Lansing, the GOP will go after poor and working people with a vengeance, wacking programs such as health care for the poor, pensions for teachers, salaries of prison guards, and so on.
9. Republicans will look for someone to blame for their problems in balancing the state budget while giving huge tax breaks. They will turn to scape-goating
immigrants, passing anti-immigrant measures like Arizona's which will never save the hundreds of millions of dollars they claim but will burden everyone with having to carry papers to prove our citizenship over and over again.
8. Michigan's economy will continue to improve as out-going Gov. Jennifer Granholm's priorities for diversifying the economy continue to take hold and the reborn auto industry sees on-going growth. Republican Rick Snyder will take credit for the upswing and the news media will let him get away with it.
7. Michigan's film industry tax credts will survive any Republican repeal effort, but lawmakers will impose new reporting requirements that they would claim were burdensome and job-stifling if Democrats had imposed them on any other industry. Nevertheless, the new reports will let the news media write hard-hitting stories on topics such as how much money was spent on George Clooney's make-up for "Up in the Air." Rep. Cindy Denby will faux express outrage at the expense.
6. Republicans will attempt to override the will of the people by passing legislation repealing voter-approved measures allowing stem-cell research and medical marijuana.
5. Republicans will do their best to gerry-mander legislative and congressional districts so that more safe Republican districts are created, diminishing real voter choice at the polls. But redistricting at the congressional level in a way that protects all GOP incumbents will prove harder than they anticipate and create GOP in-fighting.
4. Rick Snyder will turn out to be far more conservative than the news media portrayed him during the campaign as the Engler administration appointees he brings in and the ultra-right Republican Party dictate policy on key issues.
3. The Howell school district will be embroiled in a new controversy that involves the right of Christians to be mean to anybody they want to because that's what they say their religion means, but really boils down to the administration wanting to beat up on teachers.
2. Livingston County will continue to shovel county responsibilities, such as law enforcement and road maintenance, onto local townships, requiring them to raise taxes so that Republican county commissioners can crow about their low tax rates. Services will continue to deteriorate, as wait times for 911 response go up and road conditions go down.
1. Townships such as Handy in Livingston County will have difficulty making their payments to the county for the $100 million spent for water and sewer systems built for private developers. Some townships will begin exploring naming an emergency financial manager, but the development will be concealed from the public for months.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Drawing the Lines
With the 2010 elections behind us, we can start to think about redistricting. All across the country, boundaries will be shifting and the politically-influenced contortions will begin.
The Sunlight Foundation makes no bones about some of the more ridiculously-drawn districts:
One day, there will be a brilliant, easy-to-use tool that enlightens our citizenry on the intricacies of gerrymandering and the political machinations therein. But that day is not today. Today we launch the crude, far-from-serious, yet very fun Better Draw a District – a project originating from the Labs Olympics. Built on the spirit of the 1812 origins of ‘Gerrymandering’, Better Draw a District thumbs its nose at other redistricting tools and encourages you to add graffiti to any and all congressional districts.
Do these districts surprise you? Do they make you wonder how democracy can really be representative if the shapes are so gnarled? Maybe they should. Before you write or call your congressman, please take a can of virtual graffiti and deface a few congressional districts.
Check out the Better Draw A District page, and try it on MI-08. It can't get any worse...
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