AG McDaniel and Gov. Beebe Hiding Maps From The People of Jonesboro

ASK AN ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT:

Why are McDaniel and Beebe hiding maps from the people of Jonesboro?

Arkansas Board of Apportionmen

Republican Party of Arkansas, Little Rock, Ark. – When the citizens of Jonesboro and Northeast Arkansas arrive at the first legislative redistricting public hearing tonight, one key ingredient will be missing: Maps.  Attorney General Dustin McDaniel and Governor Mike Beebe have refused to release redistricting maps in recent weeks, hiding behind an exemption in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

The Republican Party of Arkansas (RPA) today calls on Attorney General McDaniel and Governor Beebe to stop playing partisan politics and voluntarily release their maps for the people of Arkansas to view.

“Possible back room dealings and partisan ploys are taking place at the expense of Arkansans,” RPA Communications Director Katherine Vasilos said. “Rather than voluntarily releasing maps for the public to view, Democrats Dustin McDaniel and Mike Beebe are hiding their partisan plan from the people of Arkansas. Do their maps divide cities and counties for political gain? Did they draw Republicans out of their current districts? Do their maps prevent other political parties from becoming the majority?”

Left-leaning columnist John Brummett even pointed to McDaniel and Beebe’s likely “partisan” and “pro-Democratic” agenda. “You could have little-bitty Fayetteville fingers all over the state,” Brummett said.

“Arkansans aren’t getting a fair shake on the redistricting process without seeing the maps of McDaniel and Beebe,” Vasilos said.  “Their self-serving behavior is destructive to the process and demonstrates an utter disregard for transparency in government.”

Secretary of State Mark Martin, a Republican, voluntarily released his maps before the public hearings in order to solicit public opinion.

“The reapportionment process is about giving the people of Arkansas equal representation through an open and transparent process, not ensuring one political party’s success,” said Vasilos.

BACKGROUND
Back Room Dealings “It my belief the maps that have the best chance of getting the support of the majority of the BOA (ie. the Governor and Attorney General) are still on the AG’s computer nicely tucked away from any FOI request of any pesky blogger or nosy reporter.” (Jason Tolbert, “Another Map…But Still Not THE Map,” The Tolbert Report, 5/24/11)

“I say all this to show that we really have no idea what is taking place behind the FOI exempt wall of the AG’s office, who has told the ADG repeatedly that they are working on drafts but will not release them.” (Jason Tolbert, “Another Map…But Still Not THE Map,” The Tolbert Report, 5/24/11)

PartisanshipJohn Brummett: "When you start drawing 135 districts, 100 House districts, 35 Senate districts, you get into a lot minutiae and a lot of complex math and you could have little-bitty Fayetteville fingers all over the state.” (Roby Brock, “BRUMMETT: WILL LEGISLATIVE REDISTRICTING BE PARTISAN?” Talk Business, 5/23/11)

John Brummett: “And it will be interesting to see how partisan, how pro-Democratic Beebe and McDaniel dare to be.” (Roby Brock, “BRUMMETT: WILL LEGISLATIVE REDISTRICTING BE PARTISAN?” Talk Business, 5/23/11)

Lack of Transparency “Beebe said he plans to wait and put out a map after receiving public comments at the meetings.” (Sarah Wire, “State’s next lines to draw: Legislature,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 5/22/11)

“The secretary of state’s office and the board’s executive director, Joe Woodson, have created the maps released so far. Beebe and Mc-Daniel said their offices are not ready to release a map.” (Sarah Wire, “State’s next lines to draw: Legislature,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 5/22/11)

---

Tags: Arkansas, Ask A Democrat, democrats, Attorney General, Dustin McDaniel, Governor, Mike Beebe, State redistricting, elections, Republican Party of Arkansas, RPA, To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!