Junction City-Fort Riley split at center of conflict

? Gov. Bill Graves said Thursday he had not decided whether he would sign or veto a congressional redistricting plan.

Graves said he opposed a part of the proposed map that would split Junction City from neighboring Fort Riley, an army base.

But, he said, he also fears that vetoing the plan may wreak havoc on election deadlines, such as when candidates must file to enter congressional races.

“I’m conflicted a little bit, you might say,” Graves said.

Graves’ comments came after a 40-minute meeting with officials from Junction City and the surrounding area, who urged him to veto the map approved by the Legislature earlier this month.

Graves has until Sunday to act on the proposal, but he said he would probably make a decision today.

The proposed map would move Junction City into the 1st Congressional District along with western Kansas, while next-door-neighbor Fort Riley would remain in the 2nd District.

Splitting a military installation from its home city is unprecedented, said state Sen. Lana Oleen, R-Manhattan, and would hurt both the fort and Junction City.

“Junction City’s identity is Fort Riley and Fort Riley’s identity is Junction City,” Oleen said after meeting with Graves. “We’re not done fighting.”

The proposal to place Junction City in the 1st District is also opposed by Kansas State University, which is in nearby Manhattan, and minority leaders from Junction City.

Whatever action Graves takes, a federal court will probably be the final arbiter. If he vetoed the plan, it would be left to a federal court to select a plan. If he approved the plan, it likely would face a court challenge from Junction City officials.

Any change of the proposed map also could affect Lawrence.

Lawrence is currently almost entirely in the 3rd District. The proposed map would split the city between the 2nd and 3rd districts, with the portion east of Iowa Street remaining in the 3rd and the western portion going into the 2nd.

Moving Junction City back into the 2nd could have the effect of keeping more of Lawrence in the 3rd District.