CLC News The news and events from Central Lakes College
The Gordon Rosenmeier Center for State and Local Government at Central Lakes College will host a public Forum on Legislative Redistricting and Reapportionment from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 25, in the Chalberg Theatre at the Brainerd campus.
Legislative redistricting is a vital part of American democracy. Every ten years, following the release of results of the Census, states must reapportion legislative and congressional districts to ensure each citizen has equal and fair representation. Yet, despite the incredibly important role redistricting plays in maintaining the vigor of American political life, few understand how the process occurs – or even why it is so important. On February 21st, a special judicial panel will prescribe the legislative and congressional lines that will divide Minnesota politically for the next decade.
Panel participants will be: Peter S. Wattson, a veteran Minnesota Senate Legal Counsel and former General Counsel to Governor Mark Dayton; Rep. Sarah Anderson, Chair of the House Committee on Redistricting; and Gregg Peppin, former legislative analyst on the 2001 legislative redistricting legislation.
Moderating the panel
will be Taylor Stevenson, Vice President of the Rosenmeier Center Board of
Directors. Executive Director of the Rosenmeier Center, Steve Wenzel, will
introduce the panel. Opening remarks will be delivered by Dr. Larry Lundblad,
President of Central Lakes College.
will be Taylor Stevenson, Vice President of the Rosenmeier Center Board of
Directors. Executive Director of the Rosenmeier Center, Steve Wenzel, will
introduce the panel. Opening remarks will be delivered by Dr. Larry Lundblad,
President of Central Lakes College.
Wenzel explains
that, “The panel will be a bi-partisan, non-partisan forum…that will bring to
bear the vast knowledge and experience on elections, redistricting, legislative
politics, and a host of other key public policy issues our tremendous panelists
offer.” The panel will examine the history of redistricting, how recent shifts
in demography have impacted the current political landscape, as well as the
ongoing redistricting process.
that, “The panel will be a bi-partisan, non-partisan forum…that will bring to
bear the vast knowledge and experience on elections, redistricting, legislative
politics, and a host of other key public policy issues our tremendous panelists
offer.” The panel will examine the history of redistricting, how recent shifts
in demography have impacted the current political landscape, as well as the
ongoing redistricting process.
Peter Wattson
retired July 1, 2011 as General Counsel to Governor Mark Dayton. In that
capacity, he was the Governor’s staff person on redistricting. Before working
for the governor, Mr. Wattson spent 40 year as Senate Counsel to the Minnesota
Senate, most recently as counsel to the committees on Rules and Administration,
Finance, and Capital Investment. In 2009 and 2010, he also served as Secretary
of the Senate (Legislative). In
1991-92, Mr. Wattson served as counsel to the Redistricting Committee. From
1993 to 2008, he served as counsel to the committee or subcommittee responsible
for election law.
retired July 1, 2011 as General Counsel to Governor Mark Dayton. In that
capacity, he was the Governor’s staff person on redistricting. Before working
for the governor, Mr. Wattson spent 40 year as Senate Counsel to the Minnesota
Senate, most recently as counsel to the committees on Rules and Administration,
Finance, and Capital Investment. In 2009 and 2010, he also served as Secretary
of the Senate (Legislative). In
1991-92, Mr. Wattson served as counsel to the Redistricting Committee. From
1993 to 2008, he served as counsel to the committee or subcommittee responsible
for election law.
State Rep. Sarah Anderson is in her third term representing
the cities of Plymouth and Medicine Lake in the Minnesota House and chairs the
Redistricting Committee. Rep. Anderson served as a Plymouth Planning
Commissioner and worked as a legislative staff member before being first
elected to the House in 2006. Her other current committee responsibilities include
Commerce and Regulatory Reform, Rules and Legislative Administration, Taxes,
and Ways and Means.
the cities of Plymouth and Medicine Lake in the Minnesota House and chairs the
Redistricting Committee. Rep. Anderson served as a Plymouth Planning
Commissioner and worked as a legislative staff member before being first
elected to the House in 2006. Her other current committee responsibilities include
Commerce and Regulatory Reform, Rules and Legislative Administration, Taxes,
and Ways and Means.
Gregg Peppin is a highly respected Republican activist and
strategist with over 25 years legislative and campaign experience. Mr. Peppin
worked for 18 years at the Minnesota Capitol in several capacities, including
as the Executive Assistant to the Speaker of the House and Majority Leader, and
as Committee Administrator for the House Redistricting Committee.
strategist with over 25 years legislative and campaign experience. Mr. Peppin
worked for 18 years at the Minnesota Capitol in several capacities, including
as the Executive Assistant to the Speaker of the House and Majority Leader, and
as Committee Administrator for the House Redistricting Committee.
The Rosenmeier
Center was named in honor of the late Senate Gordon Rosenmeier of Little Falls
who was regarded by Minnesota legislative colleagues and historians as the most
knowledgeable, influential, and powerful legislator in Minnesota
history. The purpose of the Center is to “educate and inform”
the citizenry on issues of importance at the state and local level.
Center was named in honor of the late Senate Gordon Rosenmeier of Little Falls
who was regarded by Minnesota legislative colleagues and historians as the most
knowledgeable, influential, and powerful legislator in Minnesota
history. The purpose of the Center is to “educate and inform”
the citizenry on issues of importance at the state and local level.
