Tag Archives: Massachusetts

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1812 – Packing & Cracking ~ gerrymander~ a repost and reminder

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Elbridge Gerry (1744–1814), American statesman
Elbridge Gerry (1744–1814), American statesman (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The information below is a historic  timeline regarding the Census and Gerrymandering or Packing & Cracking rules

In December 1975, the Congress passed Public Law (P.L.) 94-171. This law requires the Census Bureau to make special preparations to provide redistricting data to the 50 states no later than April 1 of the year following a census (so April 1, 2011, for the 2010 Census). P.L. 94-171 specifies that within 1 year of Census Day, the Census Bureau must send each state the small-area data the state will need to redraw districts for the state legislature.

P.L. 94-171 sets up a voluntary program between the Census Bureau and those states that wish to receive population tabulations for voting districts and other state-specified geographic areas.

Under this program, those responsible for the legislative apportionment or redistricting of each state may devise a plan identifying the voting districts for which they want the specific tabulations and submit it to the Census Bureau.

Beginning in 2005, the Redistricting Data Office of the Census Bureau met with state officials in 46 states. These meetings explained the timeline and programs available for the 2010 Census, providing states the time to prepare and allocate resources in advance of the census. The states also provided the Census Bureau with valuable feedback on census program planning.

The 2010 Census Redistricting Data Program is a five-phase program. During Phase 1 (2005–2006), the Census Bureau collected state legislative district boundaries and associated updates to tabulate legislative districts. This phase also included an aggressive 2010 Census communications plan, with visits to state capitals, to make sure the states were informed and prepared for the upcoming census.

Phase 2 (2008–2010) consisted of the Voting District/Block Boundary Suggestion Project (VTD/BBSP) in which states received TIGER/Line® shapefiles and the MAF/TIGER Partnership Software (MTPS) to electronically collect voting district boundaries, feature updates, suggested block boundaries, and corrected state legislative district boundaries. Both Phase 1 and Phase 2 are voluntary programs that include a step where the state verifies the submitted data.

Phase 3 constitutes the delivery of the data for the 2010 Census. The Census Bureau will deliver the geographic and data products to the majority and minority leadership in the state legislatures, the governors, and any designated P.L. 94-171 liaisons. Once bipartisan receipt of the data is confirmed, the data will be made available online to the public within 24 hours through the American FactFinder. For this census, the P.L. 94-171 data will include population counts for small areas within each state, as well as housing occupied/vacancy counts.

After the Census Bureau provides the data, the states will begin their redistricting. States are responsible for delineating their own congressional and legislative boundaries and their legislatures. Legislatures, secretaries of state, governors, and/or redistricting commissions carry out the process.  

Go to www.census.gov for the complete article …

For your information, wiki states, “Gerrymandering is effective because of the wasted vote effect.

The Etymology

First printed in March 1812, the political cartoon above was drawn in reaction to the state senate electoral districts drawn by the Massachusetts legislature to favour the Democratic-Republican Party candidates of Governor Elbridge Gerry over the Federalists.

The caricature satirizes the bizarre shape of a district in Essex County, Massachusetts as a dragon-like “monster.”

Federalist newspaper editors and others at the time likened the district shape to a salamander, and the word gerrymander was a blend of that word and Governor Gerry‘s last name.

Resources: www.Census.gov
 and Wiki
 
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Vote for Shenna Bellows … #Midterm2014Matters

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Republican Senator Susan Collins has a dirty secret.

Collins voted to shut down the government over Obamacare. Twice. She voted against raising the minimum wage and the Paycheck Fairness Act but supports building the Keystone XL Pipeline and spying on Americans without a warrant.

Sen. Collins likes to pretend that she’s an old-school moderate, but one look at her actual voting record tells a different story. When the stakes are high, the dirty secret is, Susan Collins votes with the Tea Party every single time.

Here’s the thing: This November, we can defeat Senator Collins — and help save the Senate from GOP control.

Enter Shenna Bellows, the former director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine, who is running to unseat Collins this November. Shenna has deep Maine roots and a long history of fighting for justice, and she’s been proud to fight alongside progressives like Elizabeth Warren on issues of economic security.

Shenna Bellows is the perfect candidate to finally get rid of Susan Collins and save the Senate from GOP control — that’s why Democracy for America endorsed her and why we’re excited to share with you the fantastic new 30-second ad Shenna is now airing in Maine.

Click here to watch Shenna’s inspiring new TV ad, then pitch in $3 to help this Elizabeth Warren Democrat defeat Susan Collins and save the Senate.


Susan Collins has consistently missed the mark when it comes to the greatest challenge of our time: income inequality. She was instrumental in killing a federal minimum wage hike and she has been a consistent opponent of expanding the right to collectively bargain.

That’s why Shenna Bellows is the perfect antidote to Collins’ bland, pro-corporate Republicanism.

Recently, Salon called Shenna “America’s most progressive Senate nominee” — and her positions back that statement up, from supporting higher wages and getting money out of politics to cracking down on big banks.

That’s why Shenna reminds us of Elizabeth Warren — and why we need your support to get her elected. Check out her excellent ad and donate $3 to keep it on the air.

Thanks for helping us send more true progressives to Washington.

– Charles

Charles Chamberlain, Executive Director
Democracy for America

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San Diego for Scott Peters … #Midterm2014Matters

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  •  DEMs …

We can fight back against Rove’s attacks — and win — but we must hit our grassroots goal before tomorrow night’s ad buy deadline.

Take a look at the ad for yourself. When you’re done, please chip in $5 or more to help expand our ad buy.

Thanks,

San Diego for Scott

PO Box 22074 San Diego, CA, 92192 | (858) 571-7424

Paid for by Scott Peters for Congress

This message was sent to: ynative77@gmail.com | Change or update your email address by clicking here. We believe that emails are a crucial way for our campaign to stay in touch with supporters. Click here if you’d like to unsubscribe from these messages. Thanks for your support!

 
 
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a message from Kathleen Turner … Why we need Wendy Davis


Most people know me as an actress, but I’ve worked with Planned Parenthood since I was 19 to make sure all American women have access to the contraceptive care they need. And when Wendy Davis launched her filibuster in support of women’s health, I knew she was the woman needed as the next governor of Texas.

When she took the floor for her filibuster, Wendy knew what was at stake. She knew the old boys network in Austin was trying to restrict women’s access to the health care they need, and she wasn’t going to let it happen without a fight.

Wendy’s a fighter, but with only a few weeks until the election, she needs our help to stay strong. Can you contribute $5 to her campaign?

Texas has come to a fork in the road. One path will lead to more of the same — more insider politics, more cronyism in the state capital, more of the policies that have left too many Texas families working harder than ever just to tread water.

The other path — Wendy’s path — leads to a Texas in which everyone can succeed. Wendy knows firsthand how difficult it can be to pull yourself up, and she’s committed to making sure every hardworking Texan has the same opportunities she’s had.

But she can’t do it alone. Wendy’s opponent has all the special interests in his corner — she needs us in hers. Give $5, $10, or more if you can, and help make Wendy Davis the next governor of Texas.

Thanks for supporting Wendy.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Turner

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

The law that let her abuser go


By Fallon Williams
Brookline, Massachusetts

Honor Jennifer Martel: Protect Victims of Abuse

27-year-old Jennifer Martel was a caring mom to a little girl. Working her way through college, Jennifer hoped to become an elementary school teacher. Jennifer’s boyfriend had a long history of criminal activity, including domestic violence, yet was released on his own recognizance after smashing Jennifer’s head into a mirror Tuesday, Aug. 13. Just two nights later, he was found covered in blood after stabbing Jennifer to death in the presence of their four-year-old daughter and neighbors.

While Massachusetts is at the forefront of the war against domestic violence, the recent murder of Jennifer Martel highlights a gaping flaw in the current system. Under M.G.L. 276 sec. 58A, offenders can be released on their own recognizance, without any bail set, within 24 hours of an assault. An emergency restraining ordered was issued against Jennifer’s assailant, but since Jennifer did not appear in court the day after she was attacked, her assailant was released without bail on his on recognizance.

When I heard about Jennifer’s murder, I was moved to create this petition. It seems senseless that this beautiful, caring young woman is gone. Something must be done to ensure this never happens again. As a child, I was a victim of domestic violence and witnessed the abuse of my birth-mother as well. Luckily, my father was able to remove me from the situation. Most children are not so lucky.

Females murdered by a current or former partner account for 30% of homicides against women each year. In many instances of intimate partner homicide, domestic violence is a precursor to murder. More often than not, victims of domestic violence do not take action against their abusers for a number of reasons, including fear of retaliation. Known abusers should not be allowed to walk free without bail within 24 hours of a repeat offense. Special concern should be warranted when there is a child in the home, as well.

I am asking for your signature on this petition, in order to prompt the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to close the loophole that allows repeat, violent offenders to be released without immediate consequence, putting their victims and the public at risk.