Redistricting Bill on the Fast Track
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Redistricting Bill on the Fast Track

Date: April 6, 2011
By: Brian Pepoon
State Capitol Bureau
Links: HB 193, the House vote, the redistricting maps.

Intro: 
A proposed map passed from the House would cause St. Louis County to lose a congressional district seat.
RunTime:  0:40
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: In a Republican-led House effort, St. Louis' congressional districts would lose a House seat as Missouri reconfigures its district lines.

Representative John Diehl says the map drawn up may not be the most popular one, but says it was the best map presented. 

Actuality:  DIEHL.WAV
Run Time:  00:10
Description: "Even with the challenge we faced, we committed to all to complete this process in a fair, open, and transparent manner that ensured adequate representation for all Missourians."

But in the end, Representative Mike Colona says he is disappointed that new maps weren't considered.

The map will be presented to the Senate, where minority floor leader Mike Talboy expects the map to face opposition.

From the state Capitol, I'm Brian Pepoon.

Intro: 
A St. Louis congressional seat would be lost as the House approved map passed.
RunTime:  0:41
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: In a republican-led effort, the St. Louis congressional district will lose one of its three seats.

Four Democrats, all of which are black metropolitan representatives, voted yes on the map.

St. Louis Representative Jamilah Nasheed supports the configuration and says she wonders why Russ Carnahan, the Representative losing his seat, didn't fight to keep it.

Actuality:  JAMILAH.WAV
Run Time:  00:06
Description: "Where was your map? Why didn't you present a map to the committee? I cannot fight for a person that's not fighting for themselves."

Democrat Mike Colona fought against the map, saying it would ruin the state's historical integrity.

The map will be presented to the Senate, where minority floor leader Mike Talboy expects it to face opposition.

From Jefferson City, I'm Brian Pepoon.

Intro: 
An adjusted map passed through the House and would eliminate one of St. Louis' congressional seats.
RunTime:  0:44
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Most House Republicans voted to pass a bill eliminating one of the three St. Louis congressional seats despite Democrat efforts.

Republican Representative John Diehl says re-alignment has been a struggle, but he says it is the best map presented.

However, Democratic Representative Mike Colona says he's disappointed St. Louis will lose a seat because of the city's importance.

Actuality:  COLDIST.WAV
Run Time:  00:13
Description: "The St. Louis metropolitan region has 41 percent of the economic power of the entire state of Missouri. And in this great nation, economic power equals bringing money and jobs back home."

Colona also says the map should protect central Missouri's historical rural boundaries evaporated in the presented map.

From Jefferson City, I'm Brian Pepoon.