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Virginia Republicans vent about McDonnell’s redistricting veto

By Anita Kumar,April 23, 2011

(Page 2 of 2)

McDonnell vetoed the bill, saying legislators had sent him maps that might violate state and federal laws and that split too many counties, cities and towns. House Republicans said they felt as if McDonnell supported Senate Republicans, who had voted en masse against the proposal and cheered his veto, over them.

“I would prefer amendments — a veto doesn’t seem very productive,’’ Del. David B. Albo (R-Fairfax) said.

The governor called Howell, Jones and Senate Majority Leader Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax) at 10:30 a.m. the day of the veto to tell them about his decision before it was announced publicly.

Howell did not return a call Friday seeking comment. Jones said he told McDonnell that he didn’t agree with the governor’s decision.

Two days later, the 61-member House Republican caucus held a Sunday night conference call to discuss the veto. Many complained about the governor and his office, several lawmakers said.

Delegates said they wished McDonnell or his staff would have told them about his problems with the bill while it was being debated or have given them early notice of the veto. Many of them received a call from the governor’s office and an e-mail about the veto but not until the news had already broken.

Majority Whip William R. Janis (R-Goochland) said McDonnell must work to fix the bill. “The governor vetoed the bill. Now he owns it,’’ Janis said. “It’s clear the problem is with the Senate district. He has the responsibility to work with them.”

Saslaw initially vowed that the Senate would adopt the same plan again, daring the governor to veto the map a second time. But on Friday, Saslaw said he was negotiating with McDonnell and his staff to revamp the plan to come up with a bill the governor might sign.

“We are talking to him,’’ Saslaw said. “We are trying to meet all of his concerns.’’

Risk of a second veto

Bolling said McDonnell would probably veto the bill again if the Senate did not fix the problems the governor had mentioned, putting the entire redistricting in a “precarious and uncertain position” and making it more likely that a judge would draw the state’s maps.

“I’d be disappointed if judges drew the lines because that means legislators and the governor failed to do their jobs,’’ said Del. Mark L. Cole (R-Fredericksburg), chairman of the House Privileges and Elections Committee.

Virginia has a short timeline. The state must submit its plan to the U.S. Justice Department in time for a 60-day review to ensure that the maps do not dilute the power of black voters in violation of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Candidates have until June 15 to qualify to run in the Aug. 23 primaries.

“I am disappointed we are not moving ahead,” said Del. Joe T. May (R-Loudoun).

This time, some delegates say, they don’t want to vote on the new bill without knowing first whether the governor is likely to sign it.

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