House Republicans today called on Governor Martin O’Malley to introduce a congressional redistricting map that provides fair representation for all of Maryland’s citizens.
“The gerrymandered mess that the Redistricting Advisory Committee created is not the Governor’s only option”, said House Minority Leader Anthony O’Donnell. “There are several alternative plans that offer compact, contiguous districts and provide equitable representation to everyone.”
Senate President Mike Miller referred to the Redistricting Advisory Committee’s map as “aesthetically pleasing”. But criticism of the plan has come from both sides of the aisle as well as from minorities who feel they are not being adequately represented under the proposed plan.
“The citizens of Maryland deserve a map that is more than aesthetically pleasing”, said Minority Whip Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio. “They deserve a plan that is well thought out and fair and that represents the interests of the people, not the interests of party leaders trying to increase their power.”
Several alternative plans will be introduced when the General Assembly convenes for a Special Session on Monday, October 17th. Delegate Michael Hough has a plan that will create three majority-minority districts rather than the two in the Committee’s plan. The Minority Leader will be sponsoring a Good Government Plan that also creates three majority-minority districts and a district solely for Baltimore City and inside the beltway communities.
It is unclear if these alternatives will have the same public hearing and consideration that the Governor’s plan receives.
