By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-974208.mp3
LANSING, MI –
The partisan battle over the state's new maps of congressional and legislative districts kicks off Tuesday at the state Capitol. As we hear from Michigan Public Radio's Rick Pluta, Republicans are likely to get their plans adopted.
AUDIO:
Republicans own the process this year. They control the House, the Senate and the governor's office. A legal challenge would probably be decided by the GOP-controlled state Supreme Court.
State Representative Pete Lund chairs the House Redistricting and Elections Committee. He says the Republican-drafted maps comply with state and federal laws, and he expects the process will go smoothly.
"If somebody finds we did something wrong or a better way to do it, we'll take a look at it, but as of now, I think it's a go," he says.
Lund expects the congressional and legislative maps will be wrapped up by the end of the month.
Democrats complain the congressional map will combine two districts, pitting two Democratic incumbents against each other while shoring up the GOP base for some vulnerable Republicans. They are calling on Republicans to slow down and take the summer to hold hearings.