CONTACT:
Jay Heck – 608/256-2686
For Release: Wednesday - February 12, 2014
In the wake of Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos' arrogant and out-of-touch assertion last week that "nobody cares" about the hyper-partisan, secretive, and expensive redistricting process currently in place in Wisconsin, nearly 100 "nobodies" packed a large Capitol hearing room and overflow room this past Monday – on a frigid morning with temperatures hovering around zero outside.
Why?
To hear State Senators Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) and Tim Cullen (D-Janesville) take
testimony from experts from Iowa on their redistricting process that we seek to emulate, as well as from UW-Madison redistricting experts and political science Professors David Canon, Ken Mayer and Common Cause in Wisconsin Chair Bill Kraus (pictured from left to right), and CC/WI board member and former Republican State Representative Dave Martin – and from dozens of citizens and some legislators from all over Wisconsin who testified and registered in support of reform and for Senate Bill 163 and Assembly Bill 185. No one testified or registered against this "no-brainer" reform. Speaker Vos has it totally wrong.
What he should have said is: "Nobody but me, and a few of my hyper-partisan colleagues and special interest allies, don't support ending gerrymandering."
Followed by: "It's time we supported ending partisan gerrymandering, too. For the benefit of
all of the citizens of Wisconsin."
Monday's meeting was a terrific "alternative" public hearing. If you could not attend, it is worth watching and you can do so at Wisconsin Eye here. The testimony of Bill Kraus starts at 01:09:10; Dave Martin's testimony begins at 01:17:00.
Tuesday's Wisconsin State Journal editorial leads off with Dave Martin's wise counsel to his fellow Republicans.
Widespread media coverage of the hearing included this from Wisconsin Public Radio.
Building on the momentum and enthusiasm generated at Monday's hearing, CC/WI will hold another in its
continuing series of "reform forums" around Wisconsin where redistricting reform will be a front and center issue. This forum will take place this coming Monday evening, February 17th from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at Edgewood College in Madison.State Senator Dale Schultz will be a panelist, as well as State Senator Fred Risser (D-Madison), Edgewood College Professor Steven Davis, League of Women Voters of Wisconsin executive director Andrea Kaminski, and CC/WI director Jay Heck. Scott Milfred, the editorial page editor of the Wisconsin State Journal will moderate the event.
For all of the details about this forum, go here. The event is free and you are encouraged to attend and participate!
Jay Heck, Executive Director
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 W. Johnson St., Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
608/256-2686
Want Good Government?
Join Common Cause in Wisconsin!
www.CommonCauseWisconsin.org
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