House to update district lines

By Jenny Jones
Summer Reporter

Opinions vary concerning the new district lines that have been drawn for Indiana's representatives.

With the Republican plan voted out, the implemented Democratic plan is said to have broadened the lines for representatives and to have discouraged the separation of representatives for Lafayette and West Lafayette.

For example, Rep. Sheila Klinker, D-27th, in the past has represented Lafayette, but with the new plan in affect she now will represent portions of West Lafayette while Rep. Sue Scholer, R-26th, will represent parts of Lafayette.

Klinker said one of the reasons for the change is that her district was growing while others were not.

"I think people are fairly satisfied with (the plan) now," Klinker said.

While Klinker is content with the new district lines Sen. Ron Alting, said he thinks the plan is to spread out, and he would have been more pleased if the house would have gone with the Republican plan.

The new plan will make it too difficult for representatives to get around to all their constituents. "(It's) not practical," Alting said.

Although it is possible for parties to draw the lines in favor of their party, Alting said that since Indiana is heavily populated with Republicans this has not been the case.

"They worked very hard to get the (Democrats) involved," Alting said.

Another problem Alting said he has with the plan is that it will put Reps. Brian Kerns, R-7th, and Steve Buyer, R-5th, up against each other for the congressional seat that represents Tippecanoe County.

"It puts two strong politicians against each other," Alting said.

In the past Kerns has represented Tippecanoe County, but the new plan has caused a split between Kerns and Buyer.

Despite mixed views regarding the new plan, Klinker said she does not foresee the House reuniting on the scheduled corrections day, June 13, to make any alterations to the plan.

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