Elections committees in both the state Assembly and Senate heard ACA 8, a proposal to authorize temporary congressional district maps subject to a November special election. The Senate hearing proceeded with fewer disruptions, though some noncommittee Senate Republicans complained they were not permitted to ask questions. The Assembly hearing featured heated exchanges as two GOP committee members accused Democrats of rushing the approval process and limiting questioning time. Assemblymember David Tangipa proposed an amendment barring legislators who vote for ACA 8 from running in the proposed districts, citing reports about a district allegedly drawn for Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire; Democrats tabled the amendment. Committee Chair Gail Pellerin repeatedly called for order as questioning continued.
Legislators are making fast work on Gov. Gavin Newsom's redistricting proposal this week - but not without some procedural hiccups led by Republicans who oppose the effort. Elections committees in both the state Assembly and Senate on Tuesday, Aug. 19, heard the legislation that would call a special election in November over proposed new, partisan congressional maps. The upper chamber's hearing was relatively straightforward - albeit some Senate Republicans who are not members of the committee were upset they were not allowed to ask questions.
Assemblymember David Tangipa, R-Fresno, proposed an amendment that would have stated that any member of the legislature who votes for ACA 8 shall not run for Congress in any of the proposed congressional districts. "If everybody here is saying that they are doing this to protect democracy," Tangipa said, the legislature should "make sure that they don't have a vested interest." He cited news reports that alleged Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire asked for a district to be drawn specifically for him to be able to win should he run for Congress.
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