CALIFORNIA:

Democrat proposes windfall oil profits tax, and governor won't rule it out
STEVE LAWRENCE
Associated Press
Mercury NewsApr. 24, 2006
REDISTRICTING - The debate over who should have the powerful job of drawing legislative and congressional districts resurfaces Monday as the Senate Appropriations Committee considers a constitutional amendment by Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach. Voters rejected an attempt by Schwarzenegger last November to take redistricting duties away from lawmakers and give them to a panel of retired judges. Democrats labeled the Schwarzenegger plan a Republican power grab but promised to put their own redistricting overhaul on the ballot this November. Lowenthal's proposal, which would need approval from voters as well as lawmakers, would create an 11-member citizens commission to draw the districts.
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