NEW: General Assembly Names Redistricting Commission
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Michael J. McCaffrey and Rep. Stephen R. Ucci will serve as the co-chairmen of the Special Commission on Reapportionment, General Assembly leadership announced today.
House Speaker Gordon Fox and Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed have each appointed four members from their respective chambers and each named three public members to the commission. The House and Senate Minority Leaders have each appointed two members as well.
The 18-member reapportionment commission will use the results of the 2010 federal census to redraw district lines to reflect population shifts in the state. The commission must make its recommendations to the General Assembly by January 15, 2012 and the 2012 elections will reflect the changes.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTJoining Representative Ucci (D-Dist. 42, Johnston, Cranston) as House members appointed by Speaker Fox are: Rep. Grace Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence), Rep. Donald J. Lally Jr. (D-Dist. 33, Narragansett, North Kingstown, South Kingstown) and Rep. William San Bento Jr. (D-Dist. 58, Pawtucket, North Providence). Representative San Bento served on the commission the last time redistricting was implemented in 2002.
In addition to Chairman McCaffrey (D-Dist. 29, Warwick), Senate members appointed to the Commission by President Paiva Weed are: Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Providence), Sen. Beatrice A. Lanzi (D-Dist. 26, Cranston) and Sen. Juan M. Pichardo (D-Dist. 2, Providence).
Appointed by House Minority Leader Brian Newberry are: Daniel P. Reilly (R-Dist. 72, Portsmouth, Middletown, Newport) and Joseph A. Trillo (R-Dist. 24, Warwick).
Senate Minority Leader Dennis L. Algiere appointed: Sen. David E. Bates (R-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol) and Sen. Francis T. Maher Jr. (R-Dist. 34, Charlestown, Exeter, Hopkinton, Richmond, West Greenwich). Senator Bates served on the commission that prepared for the 2002 reapportionment.
Speaker Fox has appointed the following three public members: Felix Appolonia of West Warwick and Ray Rickman and Delia Rodriguez-Masjoan, both of Providence. President Paiva Weed’s appointed members include: Francis J. Flanagan of Middletown, Matthew F. Gunnip of Pawtucket and Arthur V. Strother, Sr. of Providence.
