Local Legislators React to Republican Redistricting Plan

A redistricting plan that would split Inver Grove Heights into two separate communities drew criticism from at least one local legislator.

Last Monday, District 43A Rep. Sarah Anderson (R) of Plymouth, released her plan, HF1425, to redraw the state's legislative boundaries, an exercise that occurs every decade after each Census. On Friday, Anderson introduced an update to the proposal, which passed in the Minnesota House of Representatives on Friday by a 69-59 vote.

Since 1982, the boundaries of Senate District 39 and House District 39B have encompassed the city limits of Inver Grove Heights, according to historic legislative maps. Anderson's updated plan, however, would divide the community into two legislative districts by splitting the city along Concord Boulevard in the east and Hwy. 55 in the west.

Under the proposed bill, the lower third of the city below Hwy. 55 and Concord would be split off into a separate district with Rosemount and Eagan.

District 39 Sen. Jim Metzen (DFL) downplayed the effects of the redistricting plan. Anderson's proposal, he said, leaves the majority of Inver Grove Heights' population, located in the northern end of the city, in a single district.

Nor would the redistricting, if approved, harm Metzen's election prospects, he believes. The precincts located in the southern third of the city voted primarily for Metzen's Republican opponent, Robb Soleim, in the 2010 election, according to an analysis of election results.

But District 39B Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL), whose district would undergo a more significant remapping if Anderson's plan is approved, was critical of the proposal. Atkins voted in opposition to the House bill last Friday.

“You’re supposed to keep communities whole; that is one of the primary criteria [for legislative districts], and this overall, doesn’t appear to do that very well,” Atkins said. While one community may share a similar stance on an issue, another city or town may have an entirely different perspective, Atkins said, which can make representing a single district with multiple communities more difficult for legislators, he observed.

Although the redistricting bill passed in the House on Friday, Metzen says there is little chance that Gov. Mark Dayton will sign the plan into law. Instead, he predicts, the courts will have to redraw the lines after Feb. 21, 2012.

“I just don’t engage in fighting over lines; I figure that what happens is going to happen, and I’ll just deal with it," Atkins said.

Sen. Jim Metzen

New Activity:

— Metzen authored a resolution declaring August as Meningitis Awareness Month. SR 76, introduced on May 3.

Existing legislation:

— A resolution authored by Metzen honoring Inver Grove Heights native Joseph Kennedy, who was killed while serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan on April 15, was referred to the Rules and Administration Committee. The bill commends Kennedy's service. SR 76, introduced on April 27.

— A bill authored by Metzen that appropriating $200,000 for the design and construction of a transit facility along the Robert Street corridor in West St. Paul is still awaiting a vote on the Capital Investment Committee. SF 531, introduced on Feb. 28.

— A bill co-authored by Metzen that enables gambling at horsetracks in Minnesota and establishes the "Minnesota Future Fund" with gambling proceeds has been withdrawn and re-referred to the State Government Innovation and Veterans  Committee. SF 1046, introduced on March 25.
 

Rep. Joe Atkins

New Activity:

— A bill authored by Atkins that would prohibit automobile insurers from owning repair shops in Minnesota was referred to the Commerce and Regulatory Reform Committee. HF 1564, introduced on April 26.

Existing Legislation:

—A bill authored by Atkins allowing wine tasting and wine sales at certain annual festivals is still awaiting a vote by the Commerce and Regulatory Reform Committee. HF 787, introduced on March 3.

— A bill co-authored by Atkins that would appropriate $1.5 million for upgrading the Lake Byllesby dam and spillway on the Cannon River is currently awaiting a vote by the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee. HF 490, introduced on Feb. 14. 

— A bill co-authored by Atkins that would appropriate money for the replacement of an aging floodwall pumping station in South St. Paul is awaiting a vote on the Jobs and Economic Development Finance Committee. HF 277, introduced on Jan. 31.

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