Dubbing the maps a “fair and legal” alternative to those proposed by the ruling Republican Party, Democrats in the General Assembly have released their own proposals for redrawing congressional and state senate districts. The plan would keep Asheville in the 11th congressional district, instead of dividing it with the 10th.
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Small wins: the quiet legislative successes
Moving behind all the hoopla of the 2011-2012 N.C. General Assembly thus far have been some quiet, mostly nonpartisan background bills that have now become state law. They have dealt with tax exemption for land conservation, flexible school schedules for inclement weather, brain concussion awareness in school athletics, and other issues directly affecting or pertinent to Western North Carolina.
Latest congressional district maps strip more of Buncombe from the 11th
The latest congressional district proposal from the General Assembly strips more of Buncombe County from its longtime home in the 11th – currently represented by Democrat Heath Shuler — and puts it in the 10th – currently represented by Republican Patrick McHenry.
Residents slam House redistricting proposal
About 20 Western North Carolina residents shared their views on the N.C. General Assembly’s House and Senate redistricting proposals at a July 18 public hearing at A-B Tech. The vast majority of them lambasted the House proposal as GOP gerrymandering designed to give Republicans an electoral edge at the expense of Democratic candidates and voters. Here’s a sampling of the people who came out and their views.
Photo by Jonathan Welch
Live Twitter-based coverage of redistricting public hearing
The General Assembly’s Joint House and Senate Redistricting Committee is holding a public hearing on its House and Senate redistricting proposals today, July 18, at A-B Tech between 3 and 9 p.m.
Whose agenda is this?
Watching the N.C. General Assembly's 2011-12 session thus far has been like sitting through a civics lesson on steroids. There’s been the high drama of the Republican Party's complete takeover of the Statehouse for the first time since 1870; the crisis of looming budget deficits in the wake of a national economic tidal wave; the […]
Solidarity Rally at Pack Square
On Sunday, July 17, more than 100 people attended a “We Are One” rally for workers rights, jobs and education. Speakers included Asheville City Council member Cecil Bothwell, pictured here. Local photographer Jerry Nelson captured the people, signs and flavor of the event.
Fisher, Keever urge supporters to speak out against redistricting plan at July 18 hearing
In response to proposed Statehouse districts released July 13 that place Democratic Reps. Susan Fisher and Patsy Keever in the same district, both are urging supporters to speak out against the plan at a July 18 public hearing at A-B Tech. If passed, the plan would potentially pit the two colleagues against each other in a primary next year to represent a newly drawn 114th that encapsulates most of Asheville.
GOP’s proposed N.C. House districts isolate Asheville into the 114th *UPDATED*
Released mid-evening, July 12, the new House districts proposed by GOP-led N.C. Redistricting Committee isolate Asheville as its own district, which could pit the two local Democrat delegates — Rep. Susan Fisher (currently representing District 114) and Rep. Patsy Keever (currently representing the 115th) — against each other and make it easier for a Republican to win the 115th. Under the proposal, the new District 115 would omit Asheville and be made up mostly of east Buncombe County. The new 116th House District, currently represented by Republican Tim Moffitt, would cover the entire western half of Buncombe County.
N.C. Senate redistricting maps released; Nesbitt’s district grows
The proposed North Carolina Senate redistricting maps grow Democratic Sen. Martin Nesbitt‘s 49th District to encompass most of Buncombe County. Republican Sen. Tom Apodaca‘s 48th District meanwhile, loses Polk County but gains Transylvania. His district also expands slightly to include all of Henderson County and part of southern Buncombe.
Rep. Moffitt tells WWNC he will propose keeping Buncombe in the 11th District
According to a report by News Radio 570 (WWNC), Rep. Tim Moffitt says he’ll introduce an amendment that would keep Buncombe County intact and in the 11th Congressional District.
General Assembly redistricting maps delayed until tomorrow
With the controversy over redistricting hotter than the summer temperatures, renewed furor over the state legislative districts will have to wait a day. News 14 Carolina reports that the assembly won’t release the proposed district maps today, but tomorrow, July 12.
Hard hearing: Residents blast redistricting proposal
“Insane.” “Biased.” “Cynical.” Those are just a few of the words outraged Western North Carolina residents used during a July 7 public hearing to describe a proposal to move most of Asheville to the 10th Congressional District, leaving roughly two-thirds of Buncombe County in the 11th District.
With tears in her eyes, Athena Blakely said her severely autistic children divide their time between her home and an alternative family living center that the new maps would place in a different district from her home. Cecil Bothwell (left) and Lindsey Simerly (right) listened to her tell her story. Photo by Jonathon Welch
Public hearing on congressional redistricting today, July 7, at A-B Tech
From 3 to 9 p.m. today, July 7, North Carolina’s Joint House/Senate Committee on Redistricting will be held at multiple sites in the state, including A-B Tech’s Asheville campus, Western Carolina University in Cullowhee and Appalachian State in Boone. Registration to speak will begin at each site at 2 p.m. The proposed districts pull the central and southeastern part of Buncombe — including most of Asheville — into the 10th District, currently represented by Congressman Patrick McHenry, Republican.
The dividing line: On Raleigh’s rules and local rancor
Standing in that room, surrounded by angry local government officials, I realized that the dividing line — or lack thereof — between state and local power would remain an issue for years to come. It still is.
GOP’s proposed congressional districts strip parts of Asheville from the 11th
Once every 10 years, state legislators get a chance to redraw congressional districts. After their historic gains last November, North Carolina Republicans get a go at the process for the first time in more than 100 years. And in the maps they’ve released today, July 1, many Asheville voters have been stripped out of the 11th Congressional District that Democrat Heath Shuler represents and moved to the 10th, currently represented by Republican Patrick McHenry.
Redistricting, gerrymandering and power
“Let’s be candid: this is all about power.” Those were the words of Bob Orr, executive director of North Carolinians for Constitutional Law and a former North Carolina gubernatorial candidate and Supreme Court Judge. Orr was one of three speakers to address the 50 to 60 people who attended the free screening of the documentary film, Gerrymandering, at UNC Asheville’s Reuter Center June 16.
Stock cars win the race: Official state sport of North Carolina
It’s official! Stock-car racing is now the state sport of North Carolina.
Homeward bound: Legislature adjourns until July 13
Leaving some 200 fresh bills on the governor’s desk, the N.C. General Assembly adjourned Saturday, June 18. The redistricting process, however, will be carried on by committee, with a videoconference public hearing scheduled for Thursday, June 23.
You say po-tay-to and I say po-tah-to
If North Carolina were a home-rule state, the conventional wisdom goes, then the Legislature might keep its hands off local issues and actions.
House votes budget veto override; committees move to axe air toxics program, change election laws
Shortly past midnight this morning, the N.C. House voted 73-46 this morning to override Gov. Beverly Perdue’s veto of the state budget proposal. Other action during a busy day saw the elimination of the state’s air toxics program pass in committee. Proposed changes to state election law failed in committee, but is expected to be voted on again today.