Senate narrowly approves redistricting measure

By Staff Report

State senators advanced a hotly debated plan to change how legislative districts are drawn, pushed by Democrats as a fairer, more open process but derided as a sham by the GOP.

The Senate voted 36-22 Wednesday for Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 121, with only Democrats providing the supermajority 36 ‘yes’ votes needed for passage.

The lengthy debate and partisan vote demonstrated just how divisive the issue is, with both parties looking for an edge in determining how their districts are redrawn after the new census – and providing a big political boost to the victor.