Leader GiaQuinta issues demands for public hearings on redistricting
INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) today sent a letter to House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) and Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) urging them to set additional public hearings regarding redistricting plans. He believes that without the Republicans' proposals at-hand to discuss, the public hearings set for Aug. 6,7, and 11 will be of limited value if not accompanied by additional hearings later in the redistricting process.
“I want the public to feel empowered to use their voices all the way through the process, not just when it's convenient for Republican leadership,” GiaQuinta said. “House Democrats value the input of our constituents and want to make transparency a top priority. I hope they will take our advice and invite the public to participate in more discussions once the Republicans have presented real, tangible redistricting plans.”
Neighboring states Michigan and Ohio mandate public hearings to discuss proposed legislative maps.
Read the full letter below.
July 23, 2021
The Honorable Todd Huston
Speaker of the House
200 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
The Honorable Rodric Bray
President Pro Tempore
200 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Dear Speaker Huston and President Pro Tempore Bray,
I write to you in light of the recent announcement that the House and Senate Elections Committees will host a series of public meetings on redistricting across the state over a few days in early August. Unfortunately, I fear that holding public meetings prior to the proposed new district maps being available to the public will be of little value.
With census data not yet available to the public and no redistricting bills with concrete proposals pending in either the House or Senate committees, the public will be commenting on abstract concepts rather than detailed proposals.
The House and Senate Elections Committees must hold a second round of public hearings across the state after the Republican redistricting plans are made public. Only by providing the opportunity for statewide public comment on the Republican plans can Hoosiers truly have their voices heard. Without these additional hearings, the redistricting process will not have meaningful public input. Therefore, I am formally requesting additional hearings be scheduled after the specific redistricting plans are available to the public.
I believe Hoosiers deserve to have their voices heard and taken into thoughtful consideration. It is my hope that public comments about the actual proposed new districts for the House, Senate and Congress will be respected and ultimately incorporated into the Republican redistricting bills before they are enacted.
I urge you to grant this request to foster increased transparency in the redistricting process.
Sincerely,
Phil GiaQuinta
House Democratic Leader
House District 80