Ga. senator rejects bid for redistricting office

[The Northerner]

ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia's highest-ranking senator has rejected a request from Senate Democrats seeking their own redistricting office amid concerns that the process could become partisan and unfair.

A letter sent on Wednesday to Sen. Horacena Tate and signed by Senate President Pro Tempore Tommie Williams and House Speaker David Ralston says the matter is "a misunderstanding."

Last month, the redistricting process was moved from the nonpartisan Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia to a legislative office.

Democrats balked at the move and accused GOP leaders of making the process partisan. The letter says the new legislative office will serve all members of the General Assembly.

Source: http://www.wrcbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=14008036