House Panel Approves Senate Remap Plan

A Kansas House committee dominated by

conservative Republicans has approved a plan for redrawing the

boundaries of the state Senate’s 40 districts.

Many lawmakers believe the plan approved Monday on a 12-5 vote

will help conservatives wrest control of the Senate from its

moderate GOP leaders.

The House is expected to debate the proposal Wednesday.

It’s an alternative to a bipartisan redistricting plan approved

last week by the Senate. Lawmakers must redraw their districts to

account for changes in population over the past decade.

GOP conservatives argue they’re trying to make all 40 Senate

districts as close as possible to the ideal population of 71,000

residents and preserve Hispanic voting strength in southwestern

Kansas.

Critics of the plan say conservatives’ main concern is helping

challengers to moderate incumbent senators in GOP primaries.