A release from Delegate Mark Cole announced today that public hearings will be held throughout the Commonwealth related to the redistricting process. Roanoke and Richmond are the closest locations for Harrisonburg residents.
Press Release
Delegate Mark L. Cole of Fredericksburg today announced that the redistricting subcommittee of the House of Delegates Committee on Privileges and Elections has scheduled a series of six public hearings throughout the Commonwealth to encourage broad public input into the redistricting process. The six different public hearings will take place in September, October, and December of this year in preparation for the redistricting process that will occur in 2011. Details on the membership of the subcommittee and the dates, times and locations of the hearings are set out on page 2 of this release.
The House Committee on Privileges and Elections has jurisdiction over measures relating to redistricting. Delegate Cole, chairman of the committee and the redistricting subcommittee, stressed that the committee wants the public from the outset to have input into the redistricting process. The subcommittee seeks public comment on the redistricting process, criteria to be considered in preparing redistricting plans, and potential district changes to legislative and congressional districts.
Delegate Cole emphasized that the General Assembly and most counties face a tight timetable to enact redistricting changes in advance of the November 2011 elections. The hearings will provide an excellent opportunity for public input and participation in this important process in advance of the anticipated and as-yet-to-be-scheduled special session to redistrict in 2011.
Estimates of the current populations of the present House, Senate, and congressional districts are now available through the Division of Legislative Services on the Internet in the August 2010 issue of Drawing the Line 2011, its redistricting news letter. The site for Drawing the Line 2011 is <http://dlsgis.state.va.us/>.
Delegate Cole noted that the estimates should be used only for a first general appraisal of potential district realignments and are too tentative for detailed district plans. However, in view of the compressed timetable for 2011 after the release of the official 2000 census numbers, the committee wanted to begin the public comment process before the expected release of the official numbers in February 2011.
Questions may be directed to Jack Austin fjaustin@dls.virginia.gov], Division of Legislative Services at (804) 786-3591. Persons wishing to register in advance to speak at one of the September hearings may do so by contacting Scott Maddrea [SMaddrea@house. virginia.gov ] , House of Delegate Committee Operations at (804) 698-1540. Persons wishing to be notified of future meetings may also contact Scott Maddrea.
Redistricting Subcommittee Schedule
of Redistricting Public Hearings
- Wednesday, September 8th -7pm, Natural Science Center, V A Western Community College (Roanoke)
- Wednesday, September 22nd -7pm, Roper Performing Arts Center, Tidewater Community College (Norfolk)
- Tuesday, October Sth -7pm, Mason Hall, George Mason University
- Monday, October 18th -7pm, Regional Center for Advanced Technology and Training, Danville Community College
- Monday, December 6th -7pm, University Hall, University of Mary Washington (Stafford Campus)
- Friday, December 17th -lOam, 9th Floor Appropriations Room, General Assembly Building (time approximate, after Governor’s remarks to the money committees)
Subcommittee Members:
The Honorable Mark Lo Cole, Chairman
The Honorable Robert B. Bell*
The Honorable Rosalyn R. Dance*
The Honorable Algie T. Howell, Jr o
The Honorable S. Chris Jones*
The Honorable Jackson Ho Miller
* House Members of the Joint Reapportionment Committee:
The Honorable David B. Albo*
The Honorable Johnny S. Joannou *
D LS/mrs
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