Subject: Hold Their Feet to the Fire

From: "Kathay Feng, California Common Cause" <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 26 Apr 2005 15:20:12 -0700

Dear Common Cause California Activist,

I am writing to tell you that we had a very successful hearing on April 14th on redistricting reform.  Your phone calls have been a tremendous help in moving legislation forward to institute an independent redistricting commission.

The hearing was to gather information about important issues like whether to have mid-decade redistricting, a panel of only retired judges, and definitions of competitiveness.  California Common Cause provided our newly published report, "Designer Districts: Safe Seats Tailor Made for Incumbents." (http://www.commoncause.org/site/apps/nl/content3.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=263740&content_id={DC8F8878-DBBE-4336-BF1D-E96FDAC5A2B8}&notoc=1)  

We spoke of our preference for an independent and diverse commission, drawing lines once a decade according to clear criteria, and holding public and transparent hearings.  We were joined by allies such as MALDEF (http://www.maldef.org/) and League of Women Voters California (http://ca.lwv.org/).

http://www.commoncause.org/CAredistricting 

Even though this informational hearing was a success, none of the bills (Democratic, Republican or bi-partisan) have been brought to a committee for vote. 

We need to keep the pressure on.  Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, and Governor Schwarzenegger have all said they are willing to talk about an independent redistricting commission.  But all we have seen so far is posturing.

Please email Senator Perata, Speaker Nunez, and Governor Schwarzenegger today and urge them to pass a meaningful redistricting reform bill:

http://www.commoncause.org/CARedistricting 

Thank you for all you do for California Common Cause.

Sincerely,

Kathay Feng
Executive Director
www.commoncause.org/California 

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