May 11, 2021
LANSING (AP) Michigan’s new redistricting commission is set to begin taking public comment as it weighs how to draw lines for 13 congressional and 148 legislative seats that will last for a decade.
The series of 16 hearings will start Tuesday in Jackson and end July 1 in Grand Rapids.
The panel which has four Democrats, four Republicans and five independents will create maps instead of the Legislature after voters’ approval of an anti-political gerrymandering constitutional amendment in 2018.
“The new redistricting process ensures that redistricting occurs in an open and transparent manner with the opportunity for statewide participation. Communities of interest for the first time are going to have a voice to prevent gerrymandering and to prevent the division of neighborhoods for partisan gain, which can harm communities,” said Rebecca Szetela, vice-chair of the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission..
Michigan residents have a first-ever opportunity to be directly involved with the re-drawing of political district lines tonight when the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) hosts its first of 16 public hearings on the redistricting process.
The redistricting process determines the shape of state and federal political districts in Michigan. Voters approved the MICRC via a statewide referendum in 2018.
Credit Steve Carmody / Michigan Radio
The hearing from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday at One American Event Center in Jackson will also be livestreamed. Any Michigander can RSVP to attend the in person or online, and submit public comments virtually, here.
“The most important purpose of the public hearing is to actually hear from Michigan residents about potential redistricting plans that will impact them,” said MICRC spokesperson Edward Woods III.
LANSING, MI (MPRN) A commission has recommended salary increases of 2 percent a year for the governor, legislators and other state elected officials.
The State Officers Compensation Commission adopted the proposal Friday. The increases would take effect in 2023 and 2024, after next year’s elections.
But it’s not a done deal. An amendment to the Michigan Constitution requires the Legislature to ratify the recommendation. And that hasn’t happened in a while.
Commissioner Robert Emerson is a former legislator and state budget director. He said it’s the commission’s job to come up with an appropriate compensation recommendation and leave the rest to the political process.
Where and when will the redistricting commission s public hearings be held?
The Michigan Constitution requires the commission to hold at least 10 public hearings across the state before drawing any districts.
The commission has planned 16 public hearings that will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Each public hearing will run from 6 to 9 p.m. Social distancing will be enforced at the public hearings and masks will be required. Temperature checks required by venues or local health orders will be enforced, and those with a temperature above 100.4 degrees will not be allowed entrance.
Jackson Tuesday, May 11 at 6 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.) at American 1 Event Center, 128 W. Ganson St., Jackson.
Credit Reginald Hardwick / WKAR-MSU
A commission has recommended salary increases of 2% a year for the governor, legislators and other state elected officials.
The State Officers Compensation Commission adopted the proposal Friday. The increases would take effect in 2023 and 2024, after next year’s elections.
But it’s not a done deal. An amendment to the Michigan Constitution requires the Legislature to ratify the recommendation. And that hasn’t happened in a while.
Commissioner Robert Emerson is a former legislator and state budget director. He said it’s the commission’s job to come up with an appropriate compensation recommendation and leave the rest to the political process.