Angelides Urges Legislature to Enact Redistricting Reform

SACRAMENTO - California State Treasurer and Democratic nominee for Governor Phil Angelides today urged the California State Legislature to enact redistricting reform by creating an independent citizens commission to redraw districts once each decade after the U.S. Census.

"Candidates should have to work to earn the approval of voters to win seats, rather than rely on incumbency and coast to victory," said Angelides. "That's why I believe the legislature should act this year to create an independent citizens commission to redraw districts once each decade after the U.S. Census."

Angelides stressed that any commission charged with crafting districts be required to provide fair representation to minority groups as required by the Voting Rights Act as well as equal representation. Additionally, Angelides urged the creation of a truly independent commission that represents California.

"Senator Alan Lowenthal's legislation, SCA 3, which would go into effect in 2011, takes the right approach," Angelides added.  "I am hopeful that both Speaker Nunez and the Latino Caucus are able to fine-tune the bill in the next few weeks, and that Senator Perata is able to marshal the votes in the Senate for passage. Where there is a will, there's a way."

On Monday, Angelides will unveil a comprehensive political reform package that seeks to give California families - not big money special interests - a voice in Sacramento. Last Thursday, Angelides endorsed Proposition 89, the Clean Money Initiative.

"There are some who think political reform is inside baseball. But I believe that our democracy is at risk because voters are more and more turned off by the role of special interests in our government and our elections," said Angelides. "That only 33.6 percent of California voters showed up in the June primary is a reminder that we need to act now to restore the public trust in our political system."