Thursday, November 01, 2001

The Natchez Democrat

The Legislature is scheduled to open in special session today

with the sole purpose of approving a new congressional map for

Mississippi – necessary since the state is losing a U.S. House

seat.

Many plans have been placed on the table. None has received

overwhelming support by all parties involved.

Unfortunately, the lack of any leading contender plan going

into the session means all involved are fairly certain the matter

will require a good deal of political cajoling, a little party

pressure and perhaps a knock-down-drag-out fight.

We hope it doesn’t come to a true fight because Mississippi

has bigger fish to fry than to spend large amounts of time and

money arguing over politics.

We don’t blame the politicians as a whole; they are simply

doing what they always do.

However, we are disappointed in the work – or lack of work

– displayed by the redistricting committee formed months ago to

lay the groundwork for a smooth, quick special session. The purpose

of the redistricting committee, as we understand it, was to narrow

the selection and offer a set of useful choices. The goal was

to keep the major battles from being waged before the full special

session.

As we can see by the myriad of plans still up for consideration,

that didn’t happen.

Legislators have a great opportunity to earn their keep today

as they begin a special session dedicated to redrawing the state’s

congressional map.

Lawmakers should keep the politics to a minimum and get down

to doing what is best for Mississippi.

Isn’t that what we elected lawmakers to do in the first place?