Mike Moon: I don't favor redrawing the congressional districts

(From Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove)

You, likely, have heard talk about Texas and the turmoil created when Governor Abbott called upon the legislature to consider changing the state’s congressional districts (for the purpose of making it possible to elect more Republicans to their congressional delegation).

Perhaps, you’ve also heard the urging of Governor Kehoe to call the legislature to another extraordinary session for the purpose of re-drawing Missouri’s congressional districts, in order to increase Missouri’s Republicans congressional delegation from six (6) to seven (7). Specifically, the change would be most recognized in the 5th CD (congressional district).

I admit that I support the idea of seven (7) MO Republicans representing our state. Reports, however, have stated that I do not favor re-drawing the lines mid-census. Those reports are true. There are, at least, a few reasons:

I recall when the MO Senate was in the middle of re-drawing the maps a few years ago. At my request, maps reflecting what many are wanting today, a 7-1 (seven Republicans and one Democrat) CD makeup. Every single one of the maps was rejected. The reason? Other 7-1 maps were drawn by other senators (and, as stated be at least one senator, “My map is better than yours!”). In the end, no 7-1 map was seriously discussed.

One consistent argument against 7-1 maps was based upon the population. Actually, it was a good argument (at least, it seemed credible at the time). The principle of equal representation was the basis of the population argument: Each CD was required to be of equal population – to the person. The realization that the day of or the day after (or sometime later), the population could change (someone moving into or out of the district) is still true today.

So, here we could very well be (again) arguing for or against the re-drawing of CD’s. Likely, the same argument(s) regarding population will be made. This time around, though, who will decide what is the actual population? Without an official census, what will be the source and who will be in charge of the process of tabulating how many Missourians reside in the state (and, where they reside)?

Lastly, and, likely the least of the concerns: What if the tables were turned? What would it be like if Republicans were in the minority and the Democrats were re-drawing the CDs five years after the census? And, would a seventh Republican congressional representative really make that much difference?

 

A recent letter from the Missouri GOP stated that our six "Members of Congress are dyed-in-the-wool conservative Republicans." Are you serious? I can think of two "Members of Congress (I think the writer meant to say 'Members of the House of Representatives' - Senators and House Members make up Congress) who might have had the 'color' of their wool changed a bit (to, say, 'purple'. I doubt the color was ever 'red'.)

I think we should concentrate on paying more attention to the individuals we elect ... and, holding them accountable for their actions while in office, instead of merely adding numbers to the delegation.