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--> --> GOP pushing redistricting plans SALEM (AP) - Oregon Republican lawmakers on Wednesday began pushing redistricting plans toward House and Senate votes, but Democrats quickly denounced their plans and pledged to offer their own proposal. The House Rules Committee approved and sent to the full House a map for revised legislative districts; the Senate Rules Committee was to consider proposed congressional district changes on Thursday. Lawmakers must draw new district lines after each 10-year federal Census to reflect population shifts. If they don't produce a legislative plan that the governor signs by June 30, the job will go to Secretary of State Bill Bradbury, a Democrat. Failure to agree on a congressional redistricting plan would send the issue to federal court. Kitzhaber said Wednesday he would sign only plans that have support of legislative leaders from both parties. "It's got to be bipartisan," he said. Historically, the opposing political parties seldom agree on redrawing districts. Protecting party territory can't legally be a basis for decisions, but small and legal changes can wind up favoring one party or the other. House Minority Leader Dan Gardner, D-Portland, said the GOP legislative district plan was "railroaded" through the House panel Wednesday with no chance for hearings after it was unveiled earlier in the day. The panel chairman, Rep. Carl Wilson, R-Grants Pass, said the GOP-backed measure is a plan "we believe is the best plan possible. We heard hundreds of hours of testimony." He said the districts drawn in the plan are all very close to zero population deviation from ideal numbers for the 60 House districts and 30 Senate districts. Gardner complained that the hearings were held before the Republicans announced their final plan. He claimed the Republicans used the zero population deviation as an argument for splitting communities, such as Bend. Bend now has about enough people to comprise a House district by itself. Democrats believe they would have a better chance of winning a seat if the urban area was left whole in one district instead of being part of two districts that also include rural areas. Wilson said he expects the issue eventually will end up in court. "A veto of our plan is likely to occur," he said. Any citizen can file a challenge to a redistricting plan with the Oregon Supreme Court. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing