Time short for finding a redistricting plan

Gov. Jay Nixon's veto of the congressional redistricting map that lawmakers approved last week leaves the General Assembly with just 1 1/2 weeks to decide what to do next.

House and Senate negotiators released their "Grand Compromise" proposal for congressional redistricting late Wednesday afternoon, April 27.

The state Constitution requires lawmakers to pass the state's 2011-12 budget by 6 p.m. Friday and to end all work at 6 p.m. Friday, May 13.

But lawmakers could try to override Nixon's veto, approving the map over his objections.

State Senate President Pro Tem Rob Mayer, R-Dexter, told reporters Monday it's too early to think about trying to draw a new map.

"I believe that we still have time to deal with overriding the governor's veto, and I'm confident the House will find the votes to override that veto - so we'll have the map that we voted out last week," Mayer said.