MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Snowden, Akins, Aldridge, Baker (74th), Baker (8th), Barker, Beckett, Bennett, Bondurant, Bounds, Byrd, Campbell, Carpenter, Chism, Currie, DeLano, Denny, Ellington, Eure, Fillingane, Formby, Frierson, Gipson, Guice, Gunn, Hamilton (109th), Hamilton (6th), Horne, Howell, Huddleston (15th), Ishee, Jennings, Martinson, Mayhall, McGee, Mims, Monsour, Moore, Morgan, Nicholson, Nowell, Pigott, Read, Reed, Rogers (14th), Rogers (61st), Shows, Smith (39th), Staples, Stevens, Turner, Upshaw, Weathersby, Woods, Zuber
A Resolution urging the Speaker of the House of Representatives to appoint conferees on Joint Resolution 201, to negotiate a redistricting plan.
WHEREAS, on March 10, 2011, the Mississippi Senate adopted Joint Resolution 201, a redistricting plan for the Senate, by vote of 44 yeas and 7 nays; and
WHEREAS, after amending the same to incorporate a committee plan for House redistricting, the House of Representatives adopted the amended Joint Resolution 201 on March 15, 2011, by a vote of 68 yeas and 53 nays; and
WHEREAS, on March 17, 2011, the Senate by a vote of 29 yeas and 18 nays declined to concur with the House in the adoption of Joint Resolution 201, but instead invited conference with the House to further discuss the measure; and
WHEREAS, the President of the Senate has duly appointed three members of the Senate to serve as conferees on Joint Resolution 201, but to date the Speaker of the House has declined to appoint any House members to serve on the conference committee; and
WHEREAS, the Constitution and laws of the State of Mississippi impose upon both chambers of the Legislature equally, acting together through Joint Resolution 201, the task of decennial reapportionment and redistricting of all House and Senate districts, and this obligation is not one from which any member of the Legislature should shirk nor willingly abdicate to any court or other outside agency or influence; and
WHEREAS, the legislative process requires conferees from both the House and Senate to meet together in conference on Joint Resolution 201, where working together and in good faith, they may negotiate a fair and just compromise on any issues rightly in dispute, and thereby recommend for adoption a conference report encompassing a legal, fair and reasonable redistricting plan for all House and Senate districts which will be in the best interests of the people of the State of Mississippi.
Now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED that the Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives is hereby respectfully urged forthwith to appoint three members of the House to serve as conferees on Joint Resolution 201, so that the same promptly may commence meeting in conference with their Senate counterparts for the common purpose of working toward the joint adoption by the Legislature of a fair, legal and reasonable redistricting plan for all House and Senate districts which is consistent with the public interest and the requirements of the law.