For the second year in a row, the Democrat-controlled General Assembly rejected Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s plan to take away lawmakers’ power to draw congressional districts. Without discussion, a key House committee on Monday killed Hogan’s proposal to cede that authority — and the less controversial power to General Assembly district boundaries — to a nonpartisan redistricting commission. The 18-5 party-line vote by the House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee effectively erases any hope the governor’s redistricting plan will advance this year. Hogan has pressed the legislature to take an up-or-down vote on his plan rather than letting it languish without one.
A few hours later, a Senate committee advanced a competing proposal to create new redistricting method, provided that five other states also signed onto the regional compact.
Hogan spokeswoman Hannah Marr said the governor would continue to advocate for redistricting reform.
“Marylanders should be choosing their elected representatives, not the other way around,” she said.
Full Article: Maryland House kills Gov. Hogans redistricting plan – Baltimore Sun.