Demo eyes redistricting

Rep. Roz McGee, D-Salt Lake, isn't optimistic that Utah will change the way it draws up its legislative and congressional seats.

But she is trying just the same. "This is going to take hard work," she said during a Monday morning press conference.

Her bill, HB373, would establish an independent commission to handle redistricting, which takes place place every 10 years, after the census.

McGee said a dozen other states have successfully adopted similar legislation, with the most recent being Arizona.

McGee said Utah's current system has resulted in creating a number of legislative seats that are anything but competitive. That political makeup, she insisted, is taking a toll on the Legislature's effectiveness. "We've gotten to a place where we just don't have competition," McGee said.

"Bills move forward without adequate discussion," McGee said.

HB373 has not made it out of the House Rules Committee. The committee assigns bills to other committees for public hearing and consideration.

House Minority Leader, Rep. Ralph Becker, D-Salt Lake, isn't happy about that. "This bill deserves a hearing," he said. "This is ridiculous to hide this bill in Rules.

"This is not some fly by night legislation on the fringes."

Both McGee and Becker said district gerrymandering can discourage the public from voting in elections.

McGee said she has found some support from the state's business community.

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E-mail: smansell@desnews.com