The state Senate and Assembly passed two opposing legislative redistricting proposals during Tuesday's floor sessions.
The plans are based on the 2000 census data and will redraw the boundaries of Wisconsin's 99 Assembly and 33 Senate districts.
Senate Bill 463 barely passed on a 17-16 vote, as Sen. Gary George, D-Milwaukee, broke rank to vote against the proposal.
According to the African-American Coalition on Empowerment in Milwaukee, the Assembly plan, authored by Rep. Scott Walker, R-Wauwatosa, provides minorities with a stronger voice in the state government. Assembly Bill 842 has six African-American majority Assembly districts in Milwaukee, while SB 463 only provides for five. Both plans have two black majority Senate districts.
If the two houses can't agree on either proposal or work out their differences in a joint committee, the issue may be decided by the U.S. District Court in Milwaukee. The court is in the process of considering the maps currently proposed in the Legislature.
