[82Marine89]

No doubt written by an AP writer who doesn't want to see the governor succeed. If he can make a dent in the liberal stronghold, more power to him.

[NEBUCHADNEZZAR1961]

What a total waste of time Arnold's plan is. If the guy really wanted to reform the State he would push the initiative which returns the legislature to a part-time one that we used to have up until '79 or '80.

All show, no go. That is what Arnold's '06 slogan should be!

[Publius6961]

according to research by experts in drawing district lines.

The Only thing this article convinced me of is I need to know who the crooks are who are described as "experts", yet must remain unidentified.

In the language of the clueless and the incompetent (or the criminal) saying there is nothing insidious with Gerrymandering, or that it is good for you, I ain't buying!

[Carry_Okie]

If it does manage to increase the number of districts that either major party can win, it almost certainly will boost campaign spending by, and the political influence of, special interests the Republican governor frequently criticizes, according to research by experts in drawing district lines.

I think they mean, 'according to consultants who make their money by selling redistricting plans to both sides.'

[NormsRevenge]

A look at Schwarzenegger's redistricting plan

The Associated Press

http://www.bakersfield.com/state_wire/story/5300194p-5332204c.html

WHAT IT WOULD DO: Take responsibility for drawing districts for the Legislature, California's delegation to the House of Representatives and the state Board of Equalization away from the Legislature and give it to a panel of five retired judges.

WHEN IT WOULD TAKE EFFECT: For 2006 elections, assuming Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger follows through on his pledge to call a special election later this year to enact his plan and voters approve it.
HOW WOULD PANEL MEMBERS BE PICKED: By lot from a pool of 25 retired judges. No more than two of the ex-judges could be from the same political party. It would take a vote of at least four panel members to approve new districts.

WHAT CRITERIA WOULD THEY USE TO DRAW DISTRICTS: Districts would have to be compact and nearly equal in population. The panel also would have to try to follow city and county boundaries and preserve "communities of interest." Other provisions would require the panel to draft as many competitive districts as possible in which the gap between Democratic and Republican voters was no more than 7 percentage points, but at the same time the legislation would bar panel members from considering voting history or party registration to reach that goal. The measure's legislative author, Assembly Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, said he plans to drop the 7-percentage-point standard and replace it with language that would allow the ex-judges, after trying to make districts as compact as possible, to consult voter registration figures to make minor changes that would promote competition.

PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS: Voters rejected similar attempts to take redistricting away from the Legislature in 1982, 1984 and 1990.

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On the Net: Read the proposal, ACAX1 3, at www.assembly.ca.gov