In a special session Monday, Dec. 4, 2006, the Utah Legislature voted to approve new boundaries for a fourth Congressional district, clearing one more hurdle to the passage of a compromise bill in Washington.

Congress is considering a bill that balances an additional Utah seat with a seat for the District of Columbia.

Senator Curt Bramble, R-Provo, sponsored the redistricting bill, which passed the Utah Senate 23 votes to 4 votes, with 2 absent.

Bramble said all dissenting votes came from Republicans who expressed concerns about the constitutionality of granting DC a repre-sentative in Congress. The Constitution guarantees representation in the House of Representatives for states only, not districts.

However, Bramble said the Utah Legislature’s redrawing of boundaries should not be misinterpreted as a vote of support for the current compromise bill in Congress. He said the true purpose behind the rush to approve new boundaries was to create a superior map to one currently on the books, not to accommodate Congress’ plans. The Utah legislature is not responsible for decisions made in Washing-ton, he said.

The map, Plan L, was passed by the Redistricting Committee by a vote of 10 to 1. Bramble said legislators met with members of different communities to draw a map that was acceptable for both parties.

“As a result of public input, Plan L became the final product,” Bramble said.

Rep. Jackie Biskupski, D-Salt Lake City, served on the Redistricting Committee. She said the new map accomplishes the goals of avoiding splitting counties and cities whenever possible and balancing numbers.

“Our goal wasn’t ensuring Democratic power or democratic wins,” she said.

Some thought the redistricting could threaten Utah’s lone Democrat Congressman, Jim Matheson. Biskupski said all representatives must run for office again if the new seat is approved.

Though she was unsure about the potential for another Democrat to earn a seat, Biskupski said, “There should be no problem with Jim’s winning.”

Matheson supports an additional seat for Utah and DC, his spokesperson, Alyson Heyrend, said.

“I have always said Utah deserves an additional voice in Congress,” Matheson said in a news release. “Utah should have been given a fourth seat after the 2000 Census. I've supported bipartisan legislation that would accomplish the goal.” Nevertheless, Matheson believes an independent committee should draw Congressional boundaries, Heyrend said.

“[Matheson has] removed himself from commenting on the maps,” Heyrend said. “He believes it’s a flawed process.”

Copyright Brigham Young University 5 Dec 2006