Iowa redistricting maps set for unveiling tomorrow

The presses are rolling today, printing news that could make or break the political futures of 150 Iowa legislators.

Come March 31, with military-like order, the freshly printed 2011 statewide redistricting plan showing new boundaries for four congressional districts and 100 Iowa House districts and 50 Iowa Senate districts will arrive on legislators' desks.

At 8:15 a.m., the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency will present its first proposed congressional and legislative redistricting plan to legislative leaders and high school pages in the House and Senate will deliver the maps to lawmakers' desks.

“Keep a poker face and don't talk to the press,” Senate Minority Leader Paul McKinley has advised his 23 Republican colleagues.

His advice might be even more appropriate in the offices of Iowa's five U.S. House members who will be caught in a game of redistricting musical chairs. Based on U.S. Census Bureau numbers showing Iowa's population grew more slowly than other states, Iowa will lose one congressional seat. That means one of more current members will be thrown together to either resign or run against a fellow incumbent in 2012.

“I don't know where this will end,” said Rep. Dave Loebsack, a Mount Vernon Democrat representing Iowa's 2

^nd

District. “But you know that I've done everything I could to represent the people in 15 southeast Iowa counties. I will be running for re-election 2012.”

Former Iowa Speaker of the House Pat Murphy, D-Dubuque, has been through the process more than once. He's seen how it can affect people's careers, relationships in the Legislature and the make-up of the body. That helps him keep the once-every-10-years exercise in perspective.

“There are a lot of things in our lives to worry about,” Murphy said. “This isn't one of them. This is a small part of people's lives – at least those who have lives.”

LSA Director Glen Dickinson said his staff is wrapping up its work on the map, checking and re-checking to make sure everything is in order. Although there still is some printing to do, “We're just working out the logistics,” he said.

In addition to the hard copies the lawmakers receive, the maps will be available in the Legislative Information Office in the basement of the Capitol beginning about 8:25 a.m.

That's when the map will be available on the legislative website, www.legis.iowa.gov – look for the Iowa Redistricting tab near the bottom of the page.

Dickinson is anticipating traffic on the website will be heavy.

“It may be a little slow,” he said, “but we've added bandwidth.

Once the first redistricting plan is submitted, the redistricting commission will conduct public hearings: April 4 in Council Bluffs; April 5 in Bettendorf; April 6 in Cedar Rapids; and April 7 in Des Moines.

It will submit its report to the Legislature, which must vote on the plan “expeditiously,” according to state law. However, lawmakers must wait at least three days before voting.

If the plan is not accepted by the Legislature, LSA will prepare a second plan. Neither the first nor second plan can be amended. If a third plans is needed, it can be amended.

If the Legislature has not approved a plan by Sept. 15 or if a plan is challenged in court and ruled invalid, the Iowa Supreme Court will establish a plan prior to Dec. 31, 2011.