General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsVirginia Senate Sneaks Through Gerrymandering Bill While Country Watches Inauguration
Last edited Mon Jan 21, 2013, 09:53 PM - Edit history (1)
While the eyes of the nation were turned toward President Barack Obamas second inauguration on Monday, the Virginia State Senate managed to hurriedly pass a bill that would redistrict the states senate seats.
The vote, 20-19, would have been a tie had Democratic Senator Henry Marsh been present. Marsh, a civil rights leader, was in Washington, D.C., attending the inauguration.
Had Marsh been present, however, the states Lieutenant Governor would likely have broken the tie. The bill was reportedly pushed through in a matter of hours.
According to Virginia politics blogger Ben Tribbett, the move could potentially eliminate at least one Democratic seat, the 25th district, which currently belongs to former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Sen. Creigh Deeds (D).
This isnt the first time that Virginia has attempted to redraw district lines conveniently for Republicans. Just last month, the states Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli lobbied to have the state exempt from the Voting Rights Acts redistricting requirements because the state had outgrown racism. Largely, redistricting has disenfranchised Democratic votes.
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/01/21/1475811/virginia-rushes-redistricting/
BREAKING: While Dems Distracted by Inauguration, Virginia Senate GOP Stages a Coup
You don't get more slimy, sneaky, underhanded, etc. than this (great work by Ben Tribbett alerting us to what was going on in the following series of Facebook updates):
"Wow- Republicans in the Virginia Senate are now trying to redraw the maps and draw at least one Democratic Senator out of the Senate. Happening right now on the floor."
http://www.bluevirginia.us/diary/8554/breaking-while-dems-distracted-by-inauguration-virginia-senate-gop-stages-a-coup
Va. Senate GOP Springs Redrawn Senate Lines on Dems
(snip)
State Senate Republicans have muscled a surreptitious redraft of Virginias 40 Senate districts to passage over bitter objections from Democrats who were blindsided by the surprise move.
(snip)
Democratic Sen. Don McEachin of Henrico called it secretive and underhanded and warned of a resumption of partisan discord that paralyzed the 2012 Senate. Each party holds 20 Senate seats.
http://washington.cbslocal.com/2013/01/21/va-senate-gop-springs-redrawn-senate-lines-on-dems/
Virginia GOP Pulls Dirty Trick On Inauguration Day
(snip)
It goes against every tradition, state Sen. Creigh Deeds (D), the partys 2009 gubernatorial nominee, told TPM Monday. It was a dirty trick.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/01/republicans-dirty-trick-inauguration.php
https://twitter.com/waldojaquith
Waldo Jaquith ?@waldojaquith
This VA redistricting story has gone national. I was one of maybe 6 people in the gallery watching today. Nobody knew.
We have to be so on top of this. Please, decide to work against voter suppression and gerrymander/electoral college laws. We are in a totally new civil war.
Coolest Ranger
(2,034 posts)I'm posting this on my facebook page
Tx4obama
(36,974 posts)Redfairen
(1,276 posts)Tucker Martin, a spokesman for Gov. Bob McDonnell, said "the governor was very surprised to learn that a redistricting bill would be voted on by the Senate today."
Martin added: "He has not seen this legislation. If the bill gets to his desk he will review it in great detail at that time as he did with prior redistricting legislation. The governors priorities this session are transportation, education and the budget. Not redistricting."
http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/va-republicans-push-through-rewrite-of-senate-districts/article_1e6faf38-e5db-5b37-b3ae-63f544108f03.html