Thursday, March 31

This morning the redistricting maps were revealed to the world.  They are created by the (non-partisan) Legislative Services Agency.  As far as I can tell, the only effect that has is that neither party is happy with the outcome.  In Congress, Iowa lost one representative so there now are only four districts.  Politicalness aside, it's a bunch of hullabaloo around here.  If you want to see the maps, click here.  There is even a bill which sets the boundaries for every single district. Here is an excerpt, about one-third of the language for District 86, in case you're curious:

...then proceeding east along Bowery street until it intersects South Governor street, then proceeding north along South Governor street until it intersects East Burlington street, then proceeding east along East Burlington street until it intersects Muscatine avenue, then proceeding first southeasterly, then east, along Muscatine avenue until it intersects American Legion road Southeast, then proceeding east along American Legion road Southeast until it intersects the east corporate limit of the city of Iowa City, then proceeding first east, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Iowa City until it intersects the east boundary of East Lucas township, then proceeding south along the boundary of East Lucas township until it intersects the north boundary of Pleasant Valley township, then proceeding first west, then in a counterclockwise manner along the boundary of Pleasant Valley township until it intersects the corporate limit of the city of Hills, then proceeding first west, then in a counterclockwise manner....

Two abortion bills, HF 656 and HF 657, are being debated this afternoon.  Considering the Democrats have been in caucus for 2 1/2 hours, there will probably be a fair (as in enormous) amount of debate.