Topeka — Bipartisan negotiations over congressional and legislative redistricting continued Thursday, and Gov. Bill Graves predicted that lawmakers would resolve the issue quickly.
In the 40-seat Senate, Democrats hoped to join with some Republicans who are unhappy with a GOP plan they fear will reduce rural representation.
In the House, members of both parties have been negotiating over proposed changes in a Republican plan for redrawing the 125 districts. Democrats have criticized the GOP plan for splitting some communities.
Graves did not say when he believes the work will be finished but doubted it would become tangled with other issues, such as the state budget.
"I think redistricting's going to get done sooner rather than later," Graves told reporters.
Kansas' four congressional districts and all legislative districts are being redrawn to reflect population shifts over the past decade. The Kansas Supreme Court automatically reviews legislative proposals, and a panel of federal judges is likely to scrutinize the plan.
In 1992, the debate dragged out, and the state was forced to postpone its June 10 candidate filing deadline for two weeks.
The House Redistricting Committee hopes to complete a Kansas House map by Feb. 13. The Senate Redistricting Committee will review the congressional map first.
"We're working on a bipartisan agreement," said Rep. Doug Mays, R-Topeka, the committee's vice chairman.
With majorities of 79-46 in the House and 30-10 in the Senate, Republicans can win approval of any plan if they are united on it.
But Mays said Republicans want to avoid as much of any fight as they can. He said amending any redistricting bill is cumbersome, because one change affects all districts.
In the Senate, Democrats hope Republicans will disagree among themselves.
"We're in negotiations with some Republicans right now, and I don't think we're in any real big hurry until we feel like we can get a coalition put together," said Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka. "Right now, I don't think there are enough votes to pass any map."
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