County GOP Sets Redistricting Hearing

A panel formed by the Baltimore County Republican Central Committee to create its own legislative and congressional redistricting plans will hold a public hearing next month.

The county Republican Central Committee formed the group earlier this month in an attempt to present an organized, unified vision for how Republicans would like to see Baltimore County redistricted.

The public is invited to present comments to the panel on Aug. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 9615 Deereco Road in Timonium.

“We believe that the people of Baltimore County know their communities best," Tom Henry, chairman of the group's redistricting effort, wrote in a statement released early Monday morning. "We also believe that an electoral map should put our communities and the people that live within them first. The citizens of Baltimore County deserve a sensible solution. We will develop one.”

The group has set up a website to provide additional information on the August meeting.

The county Republican Central Committee set up the committee earlier this month. It is is not affiliated in any way with the work of the five-member Governor's Redistricting Advisory Committee. Members of the public are strongly encouraged to testify at one of nine upcoming advisory committee meetings, including:

• Friday, Aug. 12, 7 p.m. Morgan State University Student Center, Calvin and Tina Tyler Ballroom #4.
• Saturday, August 27, at 2 p.m. at Stephens Hall Theater on the campus of Towson University.

The governor's committee is expected to produce recommendations for redistricting the state's eight congressional districts when the General Assembly meets in special session the week of October 17.

The legislature will take up a plan for redrawing the state's 47 legislative districts next year.

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