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District shifting has little impact By J.T. BUSHNELL The proposals that may shift legislative and congressional districts in Oregon would affect Southern Oregon minimally, state officials say. The changes, however, would mean a different state representative or senator for the small number of residents who would be shifted from one district to another. Gary Wilhelms said House Bill 2001 - the proposal that would redraw the lines of state legislative districts - will affect Jackson and Josephine county districts as little as any area in the state. Wilhelms is a contract consultant with the House majority office, which assists Republicans through legislative priorities. "The growth rate of the area is pretty much right on with the state's," Wilhelms said. "The proposal isn't going to cause any big upheaval." HB 2001 calls for the district that encompasses most of Medford, District 50, to be trimmed around the edges to compensate for the city's growth over the last 10 years. That would transfer a small amount of the district's population into districts 51 (which includes Central Point and Jacksonville) and 52 (which includes Ashland and Eagle Point). The proposal would also bump Gold Hill and Rogue River from District 51 to District 46, which extends up to Myrtle Creek. Shady Cove would shift from District 46 to 52. The bill proposes more dramatic redistricting in the northern part of the state, which is more heavily populated. District 51 state Rep. Cherryl Walker, a Murphy Republican, said although some residents might have a new representative, the changes would not greatly impact Southern Oregon because the region's legislators are so closely associated. "Your representative would change, but that's about it," she said. "Representatives in Southern Oregon work together very well and act as a region." HB 2001 was approved by the House on June 12 and will move on to the Senate. Senate Bill 500, which would redraw the lines of congressional districts, has passed and will move on to the House. Gov. John Kitzhaber has the final say on both bills, and Wilhelms said there is speculation that the governor won't approve them. In that case, HB 2001 would go to Secretary of State Bill Bradbury. SB 500 would go to federal district court. "Chances are (HB 2001) will end up in the lap of the Secretary of State," said District 50 Rep. Rob Patridge, a Medford Republican. Republicans are trying to keep the proposal out of the hands of Bradbury, a Democrat. Slight alterations of district lines can make them either majority Republican or Democrat. Redistricting will go into effect Dec. 15 at the latest. Reach reporter J.T. Bushnell at 776-4487 Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.