Give a little?

The governor is standing on politics, not principle, when it comes to congressional redistricting.

“We all have to give a little to get a little in this process,” Gov. Bill Graves said as he explained why he wouldn’t veto a congressional redistricting map just because it splits Lawrence.

Graves’ unwillingness to step in to preserve Lawrence in one district stands in bold contrast to the approach he has taken toward plans to redraw districts for Kansas Senate seats. Graves didn’t hesitate to veto the map passed by a coalition of Democrats and conservative Republicans in the Senate. In his veto message, he cited a number of reasons for the veto, including the fact that the plan that was adopted came from a floor amendment rather than a committee recommendation.

It’s true that the congressional map has been considered in committee, but other reasons Graves gave for his veto would seem to have relevance to the map that splits Lawrence.

For example, Graves contended in his veto message, “Every effort should be made to avoid splitting cities and current Senate districts.” Noting that the Senate map split at least 22 cities, Graves continued, “Clearly, this does not protect the core of existing districts. But more importantly, it negatively impacts the people of these districts and their ability to have a voice in the Senate.”

Wouldn’t splitting Lawrence “negatively impact the people” of Lawrence “and their ability to have a voice” in the U.S. House? Apparently, the governor doesn’t think so.

Another statement from the veto message: “This Senate Bill alienates citizens from their traditional community of interest.” Really? The governor is concerned about communities of interest? How does that apply to not only separating Lawrence from its community of interest with the Kansas City area but actually separating Lawrence west of Iowa Street from Lawrence east of Iowa Street?

In his press conference last Friday, the governor also discussed some details of the Senate map that need to be addressed. He was concerned that one Johnson County senator had a misplaced precinct from Lenexa in her district and that two precincts that a senator wanted removed from his Franklin County district had been moved to the wrong district. Clearly the governor isn’t afraid to micromanage the redistricting process.

Perhaps most telling, however, is how much the governor has focused on meeting the desires of selected incumbents in the Senate. In his veto message he noted, “Â Johnson County Senators jointly recommended a redistricting map designed to best accommodate consistent service to their constituents,” but their wishes were ignored in the map that was passed. So much for “one person, one vote”; the only people we’re trying to please are the incumbents.

And they have to be the right incumbents. The reason Graves is concerned about the details of Senate redistricting and is willing to approve a map that cuts through the middle of Lawrence is a simple matter of politics. The Senate map doesn’t serve his political agenda, and the congressional map does. The map that splits Lawrence is intended to keep intact the Republican stronghold in Johnson County and not move too many Lawrence Democrats into the 2nd District of Republican Rep. Jim Ryun.

Principles like “communities of interest” and not splitting cities are important only if they further a political goal. Otherwise, they are swept aside. Gov. Graves says, “We all give a little” Lawrence certainly is giving, but all it is getting is a raw political deal.