REDISTRICTING PROCEDURES BEGIN
by Anna Crook
The New Mexico State Legislature convened on September 4, to begin the task of the redistricting process.
We were in session for 17 days which proved to be a disappointingly slow and non-productive process.
There were a number of bills passed by the majority, but were not favored by the minority.
As you are probably aware, most of these bills were vetoed by the govenor, with the exception of the redistricting of the Public Regulation Commission districts.
Both sides have filed lawsuits--the Democrats in State Courts and the Republicans in Federal Court.
The hearing in Federal Court was held in Albuquerque on Wednesday, October 17th, 2001. Basically, the Court told the legislature to do the job or the State Court would be first to have the law suits. The bottom line was: you do it or neither side will like the results if the courts have to draw the lines.
From this vantage point, it seems if were are to have winners on both sides we need to have a consensus and get the job done. If it is left to the courts, there is a possibility we all stand to lose.
Anna Crook is a New Mexico State Representative, representing District 64. She is a member of the Taxation and Revenue and Transportation committees. She is also an Interim Member of the following committees: NM Finance Authority Oversight Committee, Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee, and the Water & Natural Resources Committee.
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