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Sandoval expects no problems with legislative redistricting decision
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LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Updated: Oct. 5, 2011 | 9:14 a.m.
Gov. Brian Sandoval on Tuesday expressed confidence in Carson City Judge James T. Russell's ability to oversee redrawing of congressional and legislative district boundaries.
Sandoval also said he doesn't anticipate having to call a special session to finish the job of redistricting, which sets the political landscape for the next decade. It went to court after he and Democratic leaders of the Legislature failed to agree on a plan during the regular session.
"I'm confident in Judge Russell. I think he's handled the case very well," Sandoval said.
"I don't think there are any facts out there that would justify the calling of a special session," he said.
Sandoval offered his support for the judge in response to questions during an interview with the editorial board of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The governor's comments came a day after Secretary of State Ross Miller filed papers asking the Nevada Supreme Court to intervene. Miller wants the court to order the district judge to rule on several legal matters before he allows a special panel of three citizens to draw the new maps.
The main issue is whether the U.S. Voting Rights Act requires drawing one of Nevada's four new congressional districts to encompass a majority of Hispanics, who make up 26 percent of the state population. Republicans argue Latinos merit their own district to give Hispanics a better chance of electing a minority to Congress. Democrats argue there is no evidence of discriminatory elections.
Sandoval said he won't question Russell's decision to ask the special panel to decide the Hispanic issue instead of doing it himself. The panel will hold two public hearings next week on the matter.
"I'm not going to second guess the judge," said Sandoval, a former federal judge.
Sandoval said he thinks there is plenty of time to allow for expected appeals of any new maps to the state Supreme Court before candidates can begin filing for office in March.
"I think it will be done on time," the governor said.
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I was under the impression that it IS the responsibility of the Nevada State Legislature to oversee the redistricting of the State's growing population based on the 2010 Census. If that is the case, then why would Governor Sandoval hand over that decision making process to a judge? It simply gives that power to the Judicial Branch of Government, which to my understanding, is a clear violation of the "separation of powers" under the Constitution (both Federal & State). What in the hell is going on here in our Nation (and this State)? [The Governor talks about educating Nevada's children during a media news conference with former Gov. Jeb Bush, when the truth of the matter is, he is avoiding his legal responsibilities to handle the redistricting issue himself ... and ... then parading the education issue "that all children should to be proficient in reading and writing by the third grade" ... then, as time goes by, WE AS ADULTS, recognize the futile inconsistencies of our country's leadership when our elected officials continuously betray their sworn oaths of office to follow the U.S. Constitution (and the individual State Constitutions) and then deny us the very right to have our collective political wills honored. That's a great example of leadership, right?]
I was under he impression that it IS the responsibility of the Nevada State Legislature to oversee the redistricting of the State's growing population based on the 2010 Census. If that is the case, then why would Governor Sandoval hand over that decision making process to a judge? It simply gives that power to the Judicial branch of Government, which to my understanding, is a clear violation of the "separation of powers" under the Constitution (both Federal & State). What in the hell is going on here in our Nation (and this State)? [The Governor talks about educating Nevada's children during a media conference with former Gov. Jeb Bush, when the truth of the matter is, he is avoiding his legal responsibilities to handle the redistricting issue himself ... and ... then parading the education issue "that all children should to be proficient in reading and writing by the third grade" ... then, as time goes by, WE AS ADULTS, recognize the futile inconsistencies of our country's leadership when our elected officials continuously betray their sworn oaths of office to follow the U.S. Constitution (and the individual State Constitutions) and deny us the very right to have our collective wills honored. Great example of leadership, right?]
Sandoval for president!
Isn't it interesting that SoS Miller is questioning the process. Of course he is carrying out the wishes of the George Soros sponsored SecretaryOfState Project to control the votes in Nevada. Miller's last two elections are praised on the SoS Project web page as "successes". You know, the same George Soros that sponsors all the left wing websites such as MediaMatters and who caused the downfall of currencies in many parts of the word - like Great Britian, Malaysia, etc. as well as promotes the Open Society nuts that are currently demonstrating in various cities in the US right now.
Also remember that Miller ultimately let ACORN off the hook for registering Mickey Mouse and the starting lineup of a football team during the voter registration "drive" in LV during the 2008 election cycle. What a puppet Miller is for the Soros groups!
Hannibal Sandoval said I'm not going to second guess the judge.
It's impeachable "malfeasance of office" that lawyer Sandoval would unconstitutionally delegate redistricting to a bunch of lawyers. It's also quite troubling that lawyer Sandoval is so reluctant to challenge whatever the Judge's eventual ruling.
This is why it is *essential* that we begin to respect the wise constitutional provision of "Separation of Powers" and prohibit Nevada Attorneys -- who are really just an extension of the Judiciary -- from serving in the Executive Branch.
We want a governor who will move the Assembly quickly and decisively to *impeach* any judge who legislates from the bench. More importantly, one who won't delegate Legislature prerogatives to the Judiciary in the first place.
The only people who would actually trust a bunch of lawyers to do the Legislature's job are ... LAWYERS. Government BY the lawyers, FOR the lawyers.
EDWARD"theDove"HAMILTON, a Henderson, NV conservative Republican businessman and a former US senate candidate in 2006 & 2010 says governor BRIAN SANDOVAL is clearly avoiding hardwork since he refuses to call a Special Session of the Nevada legislature to settle this impasse. The man often runs away from his responsibility, as enumerated in Nevada constitution. In fact, Judge Russell is inept and a definitely proverbial "country bumpkin." The judge is in over his head. Come'on governor, man up and do your job !
The only thing I disagree with is the legislature's abdication of its jurisdiction over redistricting. We've been waiting for decades for the opportunity to have So. Nv. redistrict the state. Now A former Republican governor's son opines that three "masters" will have the entire input. Two masters from the North and one from the South. Maybe in 2020, with over 75% of the population and at least that in revenues, the South will begin to dominate the state's political process.
Sandoval: Where are to Jobs you said you would bring to Nevada?