Rep. Nikkel Takes Leadership Role on Congressional Redistricting
House Speaker-designee Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, today announced that he will be appointing Rep. B.J. Nikkel, R-Loveland, to serve on a special committee tasked with overseeing the congressional redistricting process during the 2011 Legislative Session.
“B.J. has a demonstrated ability to build consensus and tackle tough issues,” McNulty said. “These traits will make her a strong and fair voice in the congressional redistricting process.”
The bipartisan committee, composed of 10 members, will meet regularly throughout the 2011 Legislative Session to evaluate proposed maps, solicit public feedback, and make recommendations to the General Assembly on redistricting.
“The congressional redistricting process is one of the most important jobs of the legislature,” Nikkel said. “I am excited to be playing a role in this process and look forward to putting forth a plan that is fair and places the best interests of Coloradans above political bickering.”
Nikkel also points out that working through redistricting during the 2011 Regular Session could also save taxpayers the additional expense of calling a Special Session to resolve redistricting issues. According to legislative research, foregoing a 5 day redistricting special session during the summer of 2011 would save taxpayers $181,780.
“Our goal is to complete this process with minimum expense to the taxpayer,” Nikkel said. “I am hopeful that we can avoid a costly and potentially politically heated special session all at taxpayer expense.”
The committee will be tasked with holding at least one public meeting in each congressional district in Colorado before it submits recommendations to the general Assembly. These meetings are intended to make the redistricting process open to the public and to give citizens the opportunity to express their opinions to members of the committee.
The committee will officially be appointed at the onset of the 2011 Legislative Session.