Senators Dispatch With Congressional Map Quickly
by April 5, 2011 7:00 pm 152 views
It didn’t take long for the Arkansas State Senate to dispatch with its version of Congressional redistricting.
On a 20-13 vote that included Democrats and Republicans on both sides, SB 871 by Sen. Robert Thompson (D-Paragould) cleared the full Senate after less than 15 minutes of debate.
"It’s a compromise map," Thompson told Senators before the vote.
"It’s not my first choice or my second choice or my third choice," he said. "But it’s something I can live with."
State Sen. Jimmy Jeffress (D-Crossett) rose to speak against the plan, calling it "onerous."
He complained that the map’s drawing Ashley County into the First District from the Fourth was upsetting to constituents and required more time to digest.
"We’ve talked a lot about the Fayetteville Finger," Jeffress said. "Well, Ashley County is being given the finger."
The bill now heads to the House State Agencies Committee at noon on Thursday. It faces an uphill battle in the committee composed of 12 Democrats and 8 Republicans.
Rep. Andrea Lea (R-Russellville) said she plans on bringing an amendment to the bill that would unite Pope County in her district. She said Pope County has been fervently against being divided into different Congressional Districts.
