As reported by the Los Angeles Times on April 12th, entertainment executive and major Democratic party donor Haim Saban recently donated $2 million to the “Yes on Fair” initiative, a political advocacy group led by Representative Howard Berman that wants to overturn Proposition 11. Proposition 11 was passed by California voters in 2008 and created… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Archive
Maryland Redistricting: Bob Ehrlich’s Candidacy Presents Two Challenges for Frank Kratovil
In a recent Congressional Quarterly column on 2001 and future 2011 congressional redistricting, Bob Benenson wrote about how 2010 gubernatorial elections can determine and change the partisan makeup of a particular state’s members of Congress for the next ten years. Maryland’s 2010 gubernatorial election and 2011 redistricting provide a vivid example of the impact of… Continue Reading
CA Redistricting Application deadline looms
The deadline for Californians to turn in their secondary applications for the California Citizens Redistricting Commission is Monday, April 19th, at 5:00 PM. Applicants should be sure to read the Auditor’s guidance on how to demonstrate your qualifications in your essays. And, of course, applicants should be sure they do not violate the Commission’s conflict of… Continue Reading
Former NY State Senator Proposes Redistricting Reform Panel
Former New York State Senator Seymour P. Lachman wrote an op-ed in The New York Times on Sunday recounting his personal experience with redistricting politics and proposing a new model for redistricting reform. He described being offered a variety of perks and incentive in order to consent to his districting being “cracked” during the New York State… Continue Reading
Is Your Community Participating in the 2010 Census?
The Census Bureau now provides a running total of the 2011 participation rates so far for states, counties, tribal reservations, and cities. The website also shows the participation rate* of each jurisdiction so far, with a comparison to its final 2000 Census participation rate. The data changes dramatically everyday as more census forms are returned. Continue Reading
Rose Study Featured in Desert Sun
A March 21st Desert Sun article references the city of La Quinta and Bob Hope Classic Visitor Profile Survey conducted by the Rose Institute. The Sun highlights the Institutes’s finding that “during the 2009 Bob Hope Classic, visitors who attended the golf tournament spent an average of $368 a day on food, lodging, shopping and recreation.†Continue Reading
Rose's Doug Johnson and Jack Pitney on gerrymandering
An article featured in both Redlands Daily Facts and The San Bernardino County Sun on March 21 quoted Rose Institute Fellow Douglas Johnson extensively on gerrymandering in the 59th state assembly district. The article also quoted the Rose’s Professor Jack Pitney on the issue. Johnson is quoted as saying: “The district’s shape makes money the… Continue Reading
Misleading California’s Voters: The Financial Accountability In Redistricting Act
The California Democratic redistricting machine is worried. Led by Congressman Howard Berman and his consultant brother Michael, they controlled the state’s bipartisan incumbent-protection gerrymander in 2001. Now their control is threatened by an initiative that would place Congressional redistricting within the mandate of the Citizens Redistricting Commission. Congressman Berman and his allies are responding with… Continue Reading
UPDATED: NY Times responds to Rose note with correction
[Previous title: “Tom Friedman and NY Times get the facts wrong on Prop. 11”: see update at the bottom.] Unfortunately, op-ed writer Thomas Friedman and the New York Times are following in the footsteps of the Wall Street Journal by failing to fact-check what they write on redistricting. Mr. Friedman’s endorsement of independent redistricting commissions is a… Continue Reading
Rove Op-ed on Importance of Redistricting
Last week, Karl Rove wrote an opinion piece for The Wall Street Journal on the importance of many 2010 state congressional races for redistricting and the resulting reapportionment of seats in the US House of Representatives. In many states, redistricting of congressional seats is done by the state legislatures. If Republicans are able to win… Continue Reading