Wisconsin: Judges give Democrats access to GOP legislative redistricting process

[Scuba]

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/redist21-sd3h4gv-135957778.html



..snip..

Madison - For the second time this month, a three-judge panel ruled Tuesday that a Democratic group has a right to an array of information on how Republican lawmakers drew new legislative districts. The federal panel first ruled Dec. 8 that the group could depose a consultant and Senate aide.

Republicans who control the Legislature then filed a motion to clarify what information could be released. They argued some information consultant Joe Handrick has should remain confidential, as he was hired because litigation was likely and thus should have attorney-client privilege.

On Tuesday, the panel unanimously ruled Handrick's discussions with legal counsel are not protected by attorney-client privilege and he must testify on those matters. In essence, the judges found there was little the Republicans can keep from the group.

The case is being heard by J.P. Stadtmueller of the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Diane P. Wood of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, and Robert M. Dow Jr. of the Northern District of Illinois. Stadtmueller was appointed by Republican President Ronald Reagan, Wood was appointed by Democratic President Bill Clinton and Dow was appointed by Republican President George W. Bush.


..end..


It'll be interesting to see what is revealed here. The Republicans can't win. If there's no smoking gun, they gain no points. If there is, well, one more reason they are going down in flames.

The trial is schedule to begin in February.

[Bandit]

1. I find it difficult to believe they would be trying so hard to conceal their process if

there was nothing to hide....It was a purely partisan process with a purely partisan outcome and now they will be seen under that light...