Friday, Feb. 25, 2005

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Legislature offers new Congressional maps

By J. FRANK LYNCH
jflynch@theCitizenNews.com

A state House Republican's proposal to redraw Georgia’s 13 Congressional districts was formally introduced in the House Reapportionment Committee Wednesday, but a final vote to send it on to the full House was withheld to allow public comment.

The map, introduced by Rep. Bobby Franklin, R-Marietta, attempts to consolidate districts along county lines, eliminating the confusing, serpentine-like districts that were gerrymandered by state Democrats in 2001 in an attempt to maintain a majority in Washington.

"As soon as we feel it's ready for a vote, we'll bring it forward," said Franklin.

The most dramatic shift would be to the 13th District seat held by David Scott. Under Franklin’s plan, Scott’s share of Fayette County would grow from just two precincts to 10, and include all of Clayton and Henry counties stretching eastward to Jones and Baldwin counties.

The rest of Fayette would remain in Rep. Lynn Westmoreland's 8th Congressional District. All of Coweta County would be redrawn into the 8th, eliminating a portion of the 11th District that now snakes into Newnan. The 8th would also include most of the present 3rd District that is now represented by Macon Democrat Jim Marshall.

But an alternate proposal making its way through the Senate shows all of Coweta and Fayette going to Westmoreland, with Scott's two precints in northern Fayette removed entirely.

At some point, House and Senate leaders will come together to draw a compromise map, said Sen. Ronnie Chance, R-Tyrone, who serves on the Senate Reapportionment Committee.

But until then, nothing’s a done deal.

State Democrats are screaming foul about many parts of Franklin's plan, designed to strengthen the GOP's 7-6 majority in Congress.

For example, Clarke County, the home base of Rep. John Barrow (D-Athens), would be moved out of the 12th District and placed into a redrawn 7th District with Rep. John Linder, a Gwinnett County Republican.

Augusta and Richmond County, which are now part of Barrow’s 12th District, would be moved into the 9th District with Rep. Charlie Norwood (R-Evans). Savannah and Chatham County, part of which is also in the 12th District now, would be placed entirely in the 1st District with Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Savannah).

Franklin’s proposed map would create a new district in middle Georgia that has no incumbent and a district without an incumbent that includes North Cobb and Cherokee Counties. Franklin and former state senator Robert Lamutt might both be interested in running in that new Cobb district.

Except for Scott's 13th district, the other three black members of Congress - John Lewis, Cynthia McKinney and Sanford Bishop - would retain similar districts under the Franklin map.

Westmoreland, who was elected to his first term in Congress in November, is watching the redistricting process closely but staying out of the discussions, said his spokesman, Brian Robinson.

"We have to defer judgment on this to the state legislature," Robinson said Monday. "Lynn as a congressman has no say whatsover with the state House and Senate. At the end of the day, we trust those legislators to do the right thing and give us improved maps."

"Fixing" the haphazard congressional lines was one of the promises state Republicans made to voters if they were to gain a majority in the General Assembly.

"We have campaigned since 2001 on our principles for redistricting: keeping communities of interest together, avoiding bizarre shapes and following the laws set forth by the state and federal governments," said Westmoreland. "The House and Senate are fulfilling their duty and keeping their promises."

Robinson said that under the House plan, Westmoreland wouldn't necessarily be left with a stronger Republican constituency. "Under any scenario, he'll lose GOP voter strength," said Robinson.

Said Westmoreland, "Ignore all the blather saying this is political. Compare the proposed maps to the current gerrymandered map and you'll see there's no comparison. Bottom line is this: This is the right thing to do."