Media Center

GLAAACC Breaking News Archive

CALIFORNIA CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION - WHERE'S THE TRANSPARENCY?

Posted July 27, 2011

Every ten years, two critical events take place that shape our nation’s political landscape and our democracy – the United States Census and political redistricting.  
The information gained through the Census helps guide the redrawing of political districts at every level of government in order to uphold the one person, one vote principle.  This exercise, known as redistricting, is the cornerstone for our diverse democracy, yet has also been an instrument of repeated exploitation with the intent to silence voices in our democracy.

The Voting Rights Act was put into place to protect the voting rights of ethnic minority groups whose rights have been historically violated.  Under this law, not only African Americans, but Latinos, Asian Americans and Native Americans can be assured a fair opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice.  But the other necessary components for a fair redistricting process are transparency and public participation.

The California Citizens Redistricting Commission (CRC), approved by voters in 2008 under Proposition 11, has been given the authority to reshape lines that will affect millions of residents in the state and determine whether communities of interest will be able to elect candidates of their choice.  So far, they have failed us!

The intent of California voters was to take the politics out of line-drawing and promote an open and fair public process.  Unfortunately, when it comes to transparency, this commission has utterly failed.

Initial draft maps were released in June for public review and comment.  The commission was scheduled to release its second set of draft maps on July 14 but reneged on that step a mere 5 days before the scheduled release date.  The commission claimed the cancellation was intended to produce better maps. Let’s hope that’s the case because some of their recent maps have been mystifying and have badly divided communities of interest.

In fact, one map supported by many commission members eliminated the 33rd Congressional District currently represented by Congresswoman Karen Bass. Another map merged two senate districts currently represented by African Americans into one district, thus eliminating one black senate seat. In the process of trying to satisfy the interest of so many communities we understand some decisions may appear odd, but how on earth can you justify eliminating  Karen Bass’ Congressional District, one of the most diverse and yet politically unified districts in Southern California? What were they thinking? It’s that kind of logic that begs for an open and transparent process!

While new maps seem to better reflect more equitable representation, dramatically different maps discussed in relative obscurity are still in play.  Californians will not know for sure the final maps until the votes are cast on Friday, July 29.  In the month of July alone, the CRC cancelled 8 of its meetings which could have afforded the public an opportunity to engage the commission.  The CRC website reads like a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces.  And on July 21, the CRC made the decision to make July 23 the final day for public comment.  This process flies in the face of what voters envisioned when they voted to establish this commission.  Lack of transparency and compacting black residents into fewer electoral districts has been driving this commission.

People fought and died for the right to vote and participate fully in the political system.  They did not make sacrifices only to be marginalized by a commission that has no clue about social justice.   We cannot afford to stop our efforts until the process is complete!  The commission needs to hear from you and needs to be encouraged to maintain opportunity districts for African Americans.  Without question, other interest groups continue to lobby for changes that could negatively impact African Americans and the progress that’s been achieved over the past several decades.

These final district lines will determine your voting rights for the next 10 years.  While there has been tremendous progress to protect voting interests for African American Californians, we encourage you to help in this final push to deliver fair representation for the African American community.  Please, take a moment to submit comments or e-mail the California Citizens Redistricting Commission.  I remain fired up and ready to go and will not let my voice be silenced through a closed door redistricting process. I hope you will join us in this battle!

California residents can submit comments through the CRC website: http://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/ or through directly e-mail: votersfirstact@crc.ca.gov

Kerman Maddox

Board Member

Dakota Communications

Kerman Maddox is the Managing Partner of Dakota Communications, a Los Angeles-based, minority-owned marketing, public relations and public affairs consulting firm with expertise in the areas of public communications, media relations, strategic planning, political guidance, and community relations.

---

GLAAACC HOSTS GLAAACC IN THE A.M. MORNING MIXER WITH CALIFORNIA STATE SENATOR CURREN D. PRICE

Senator Curren D. Price answers a question from an attendee

Posted July 15, 2011

The GLAAACC Program Committee hosted GLAAACC in the A.M. Contracting Legislation Update with California State Senator Curren D. Price.  GLAAACC Chairman Gene Hale spoke briefly to the audience about the export council prior to Senator Price addressing updates regarding Assembly Bill 31 and Senate Bill 1108.  Senator Price also discussed foreign investors and the high speed rail project in addition to introducing new legislation.  He created an open dialogue with the Chamber members and associates allowing them to leave with very valuable information.  Assemblyman Steven Bradford attended the event and also briefly addressed the crowd of forty attendees.  The event took place at the GLAAACC facilities on July 15, 2011. Click here for PDF flyers for the July 22, 2011 Follow-Up Joint Information Hearing on Procurement and the California Legislative Black Caucus.

---

GLAAACC Chairman Gene Hale hosts Winning the Future Roundtable

GLAAACC Chairman Gene Hale, U.S. Department of Transporation Administrator David Strickland and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas

Posted June 22, 2011

Chairman Gene Hale and the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce (GLAAACC) hosted a White House “Winning the Future” Roundtable on Thursday, June 21, 2011 with David Strickland, the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation.  A few GLAAACC board members were in attendance and shared their questions and concerns regarding small business development, education and job creation. Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas along with the president of the Los Angeles world Airport commission, Michael Lawson, was also in attendance. President Barack Obama made clear in his State of the Union address that we as a country must commit to winning the future: out-innovating, out-building and out-educating the rest of the world.  After his address, the President asked senior Administration officials to get on the road and host roundtable discussions with business and community leaders across the country.   Chairman Hale serves on the President’s Export Council (PEC) and one of his duties is to hold small business roundtables and report the findings to the PEC board and the President.  Chairman Hale is the voice for the Chamber which plays an integral role in the advancement of African American small businesses in conjunction with the White House.  The roundtable took place at the City Club on Bunker Hill.