Incumbent Democrats open wallets to abolish redistricting commission

California Democratic lawmakers are digging into their wallets for Proposition 27, the Nov. 2 ballot initiative that would abolish the state’s new independent redistricting commission and give that chore back to the Democrat-controlled Legislature.

Assemblyman Charles Calderon, D-Whittier, and Assemblyman Michael Eng, D-Monterey Park, each gave $100,000, while Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Pacoima, donated $24,000 and Assemblymen Felipe Fuentes, D-Los Angeles, gave $30,000. Assemblyman Bob Blumenfield, D-Santa Monica, donated $75,000. Assembly Speaker John Perez donated $49,000
The contributions, all filed Monday, were contained in state financial disclosure records. 

The initiative, opposed by political reform groups, has raised some $4.8 million, including $2 million from Haim Saban, a Los Angeles entrepreneur and developer of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV show. Saban’s contribution financed the signature-gathering effort required to place the measure before voters.   

Other major donors include a Washington, D.C.-based, labor-backed group called Working 4 Working Americans, which gave $250,000 on Sept. 1; in July, the group also donated $250,000. More than a dozen House Democrats, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, donated at least $10,000 each. Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Lakewood, gave $25,000.

Proposition 27 would abolish the redistricting commission that voters approved in 2008 to draw the census-based boundaries of legislative and Board of Equalization Districts.
A rival measure on the ballot, Proposition 20, would expand the commission’s duties to include California’s 53 congressional districts.