House Committee is a Facade for the Status Quo
HOUSE COMMITTEE FAÇADE FOR STATUS QUOTomblin Refuses To Lead & Needs To State Veto Intentions
CHARLESTON, W.V. – For only the second time since its formation, the House of Delegates Select Committee on Redistricting met yesterday in Charleston to discuss redistricting. Majority Leader Brent Boggs, D-Braxton, who is leading the committee, has said he doubts West Virginia lawmakers will approve a plan to go to 100 single-member districts. Currently, the Mountain State has 23 multi-member districts in the House and 17 multi-member districts in the Senate. Only two states have more multi-member districts than West Virginia and the 30th District is the largest multi-member delegate district per capita in the nation.
“It is clear that the House Committee is a mere façade to maintain multi-member districts in West Virginia. House Democrat leaders are merely going through the motions pretending to care about the best interests of the public. Earl Ray Tomblin refuses to provide leadership on the issue," said Mike Stuart, Chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party.
“The Committee has met only twice in Charleston despite its Senate counterpart meeting twelve times in public hearings across the state. It is insulting to all West Virginians to see the lack of regard by House Democrat leadership and the lack of leadership by Tomblin on this critically important issue," said Stuart. "Boggs comments in support of multi-member districts is simply irresponsible and out of step with the electorate. There is simply no reasonable justification for maintaining the status quo.”
“Earl Ray Tomblin says he supports single member districts but, outside political posturing, Tomblin has done absolutely zilch - nothing - to provide leadership to ensure equal representation for all West Virginians,” said Stuart. “Tomblin needs to make it clear to the Legislature that he will veto anything less than 100 single member districts. Political posturing is worthless.”
“A Governor needs to be a leader, not a follower,” said Stuart. “Any Governor considering the best interests of West Virginia would be providing leadership to ensure we get single member districts rather than ceding all responsibility to the Legislature. It is unbelievable that Tomblin and House Democrat leaders continue to pretend they care what the public thinks on the issue.”
Stuart concluded, "We deserve to know if Tomblin will veto any bill that does not ensure 100 single member districts. Will he or won't he? Tell us. Tomblin and House Democrats need to quit playing politics and start representing the best interests of all West Virginians. In 2011, there is simply no excuse for not ensuring that every West Virginian is fairly represented.”
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