Governor submits proposed senate map

Governor Beebe's office submitted a map today that would revamp the state's 35 senate districts following the 2010 census and pursuant to the obligations of the Arkansas Board of Apportionment. The board is made up of Beebe, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, and Secretary of State Mark Martin. James Miller in the governor's office has been hard at work for months dealing with the next to impossible task of drawing lines to suit regional, community and political interests.

The proposed map changes what is currently Senate District 21 here in southwest Arkansas slightly. My district is approximately 8,600 residents short according to the new census data, which would place 83,312 residents in each of the 35 districts. This map places a larger portion on Sevier County into Senate District 21, including county seat DeQueen along with Gillham. This proposed map removes a small portion of Columbia County from the district, which was made up of Taylor, Bussey, and Welcome (just north of Springhill, Louisiana). The governor's office hopes to release a House map on Tuesday. The board is expected to approve the new House and Senate districts in a couple of weeks.