Oct. 1, 2001--
Utah lawmakers spent today debating a variety of issues added to the agenda of a special session called to ratify legislative redistricting.
News Specialist John Daley has details from the Capitol.
As it has worn on, this special session has started to seem like a regular legislative session.
And just like a regular session, the party in charge--the Republicans--is calling the shots.
On the lawn of the state capitol, statues of buffalo-- nearly hunted out of existence.
Inside, Democratic lawmakers must know how the buffalo felt.
They, too, are fighting for their political life, and mostly failing.
For weeks Democrats have raised heck about a redistricting process they say is arbitrary and unfair.
Today--as the final house lines are drawn--the anger resurfaces.
For example, one star of the party--House Minority leader Patrice Arent--has been redrawn into a district currently held by another female Democratic incumbent.
Rep. Patrice Arent/(D) House Minority Whip: "CERTAINLY IT'S A DIFFICULT SITUATION. WE'RE GONNA BE DOWN AT LEAST FIVE DEMOCRATS OUT OF OUR CAUCUS. RECOGNIZING THE FACT THAT REPUBLICANS HAVE TWO THIRDS OF THE HOUSE AND TWO THIRDS OF THE SENATE AND ALL STATEWIDE OFFICES, I THINK THAT'S A VERY SAD COMMENT."
Democrats predict some possible fallout--a voter backlash against Republicans.
But the GOP strongly rejects that idea.
Sen. Michael Waddoups/(R) Salt Lake: "I THINK THERE ARE SOME CITIZENS THAT DON'T WANT THIS AND THEY'RE IN THE MINORITY. I THINK THAT THERE'LL BE SOME PEOPLE WHO SAY 'I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND IT ALL BUT I THINK THEY DIDN'T DO RIGHT,' AND THEY'LL VOTE DIFFERENTLY THAN THEY WOULD HAVE. THAT'S WHAT A BACKLASH IS. BUT I THINK THAT'LL BE A MINORITY AGAIN."
As the session draws to a close, one legislative watchdog group again is calling for an independent commission to handle redistricting.
Far from being a grand American tradition, the legislative process has run amok, according to Common Cause of Utah.
Cassie Dippo/Common Cause of Utah: "I'D SAY ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, IT BECOMES SO PERSONAL AND SO MUCH ABOUT ONE SEAT, AND YOU FORGET THAT WHAT WE'RE REALLY REWRITING THE DISTRICTS FOR ARE FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE, NOT FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SITTING IN OFFICE."
With this session over, lawmakers will return here to get an early start to the next session in January.
Then they'll adjourn during the Olympics and finish up business after the Games are over.
