Wednesday, Jul 27 2011 4:07PM
Rural Idaho residents are awaiting a final plan from Idaho lawmakers regarding redistricting plans, which could result in the construction of new highways.
Idaho legislators have proposed two plans for redistricting Idaho counties, both of which have been complicated due to an issue concerning road access.
The Magic Valley Times-News reports state Republicans and Democrats each created separate redistricting plans. A common problem between the parties' plans is the construction of new roads should counties be redistricted due to a law that requires a major highway to connect two counties in the same district.
However, the paper states the law could be overridden should at least five of six state redistricting commissioners decide the "communities of interest" in a new district don't need a highway. Others have said the law itself is unconstitutional.
"We are going to try to be consistent and what we're going to do is follow all the laws as best as we can," said Lou Esposito, one of Idaho's redistricting commissioners.
In one proposed plan, part of rural Twins Falls County would become its own district. The commissioners heard additional mapping ideas for redistricting from state residents who would be affected by the proposed changes.