Things That Drive Me To Drinking…A Redistricting Commission

July 27th, 2008 by Jake Hatlin | Posted in Talking Policy |

Can you feel that energy in the air, that silent pulse of electricity that has slowly but surely gained steam over the last five years?  I felt it too, and I know what it is…redistricting is upon us.  Yes, it is true, in less than two and one half years, our esteemed lawmakers will be back in Austin redrawing our various districts for public office.  It has been too long.

Is there any more fun to be had with watching the Legislature than in a redistricting year?

Now, I can feel you saying that I am getting a head of myself, but I would argue not.  Even though we have a regular session still to go before we get to redistricting, people are already talking about this election cycle as one of democrats’ last two shots at taking a majority in the Lege before the pencils and maps are pulled out of the closet.

So since it’s on the minds, naturally people are talking about redistricting as well.  I have to confess, other than Texas picking up three congressional seats, I really don’t know what is in the works.  I’m not sure which parts of Texas are going to gain and which parts are going to lose, so I can’t comment extensively.  But one redistricting topic that keeps coming up that I do want to weigh in on is the concept of a non-partisan Redistricting Commission.

The concept of a non-partisan commission drawing our various legislative districts is a great minority party idea that makes that party look like the good guy when ever the press gets worked up over a map they don’t like.  Democrats are talking big about a commission right now, and if I remember correctly, even some Republicans supported the idea back in the 80s and 90s. 

But that is all the concept is to me, a soundbite for the minority party.  I can’t support the idea of a new commission taking the map drawing responsibility out of the Legislature’s hands, for several reasons.  Stay with me, gentle reader, as we explore each.

How Are We To Fill This Commission?

Suppose we did create a nine member board to draw all of our maps for us (I arbitrarily throw that number out there).  How will we fill these seats?  Will we make them Governor appointments, and if so, is everyone at the table comfortable with the Governor having a monopoly over commission membership?  Since such commission would easily become the most publicized commission Texas would have, I will venture to say the answer to that question is no.

So do we elect them?  That would be counter productive because then we would have to draw them districts and inevitably they would wind up someday drawing their own districts.  I guess we could elect them statewide, but then certain regions (such as west and south Texas) run the big risk of getting run over when all our Redistricting Commissioners end up calling either Central Texas, DFW, or Houston their homes.  Besides, would you honestly trust someone who ran for office only to redistrict?  I wouldn’t.

It’s The Legislature’s Job To Redistrict

It is not their job to punt the ball, which is exactly what forming a commission to redistrict would be.  I know that the decision is a tough one to make, and I know that there is a lot at stake with our legislative maps, but isn’t making the tough decisions what we elect our officials to do?  When I go to the ballot box, I expect the person I vote for to stand up tall during dire circumstances, not find someone else to push the task off on.

There is the argument that it is a conflict of interests for the Lege to draw the lines that include their own districts, and while I can respect that argument I point to the counter argument that there are several decisions they make that you could call a conflict of interests.  Are we also to appoint a lawyer policy commission because many of our Legislators also practice law?  How about a Commission for elderly policy?  Many of our lawmakers are over 55 and thus have a conflict in this area.  What about property taxes?  Since all of our lawmakers either own or rent property, isn’t it as much of a conflict in interest to charge them with reforming our property tax system?

Will A Commission Really Solve The Perceived Problem?

I doubt it will.  An appointed commission is just as likely to want to monkey with the lines as the Legislature is.  The reason is because they, too, are humans, humans with an agenda, humans with friends they want to help out, humans who are prone to make mistakes.

I am not saying that the Legislature has always done a bang up job with redistricting.  2003 was a mess, but so was 2001 when democrats controlled the lower chamber.

Conclusion

There are more reasons as to why I give a Redistricting Commission the stink eye, but I won’t bore you with more detail.  Besides, all this talk has made me thirsty, so off to the bar I go. 

I know it’s Sunday afternoon…don’t judge.  I’m sure you’ve done it before yourself.