Democrats, under fire, slow down on redistricting
TRENTON - New Jersey Democrats eased off the gas pedal Monday on a proposed constitutional amendment they were fast-tracking through the Legislature to change the process by which the state draws legislative districts.
TRENTON - New Jersey Democrats eased off the gas pedal Monday on a proposed constitutional amendment they were fast-tracking through the Legislature to change the process by which the state draws legislative districts.
During hearings last week, the proposal drew sharp criticism from Republicans as well as independent experts such as Monmouth University pollster Patrick Murray, who described the proposed amendment as an attempt to entrench a "permanent Democratic majority."
Democrats control both houses of the Legislature.
"We remain committed to getting this question on the ballot and giving voters the opportunity to improve the redistricting process," State Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D., Union), a bill sponsor, said in a statement. "However, it is imperative that the public and all of our colleagues fully understand this proposal and it is clear that more discussion is absolutely necessary."
He signaled that Democrats would try to pass an amendment in the next legislative session, which begins Tuesday, so that it gets on November's ballot. That would require a three-fifths majority vote in each house.
Democrats own three-fifths majorities in each house, but leaders don't have the full support of their caucus on this issue.
Senate Minority Leader Thomas H. Kean Jr. (R., Union) and Sen. Ron Rice (D., Essex), who both opposed the amendment, said in a joint statement, "We thank all of the outside experts, pollsters, professors, minority population representatives, grassroots organizations, nonpartisan policy professionals, editorial boards, and residents of all political affiliations who in short order over the holiday season took the time to help us stop this dangerous, misleading, and overtly partisan constitutional amendment."
Rice had objected to a provision that would ban lawmakers from serving on the 10-member Apportionment Commission, which convenes every 10 years to redraw districts to account for census changes.
Assembly Majority Leader Louis D. Greenwald (D., Camden), a bill sponsor, said lawmakers would revisit that provision.
Republicans and experts like Murray said the proposed amendment would use an unfair formula - results from statewide elections such as for president and U.S. senator, rather than from legislative elections - to determine how competitive the districts should be.
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