Legislature still trying to settle on congressional redistricting

SALT LAKE CITY -- The congressional redistricting map endorsed by the Senate on Monday has some local lawmakers concerned about the state's military.

The Legislative Redistricting Committee met Tuesday morning to look at two other options, but rejected both.

Senate and House leadership are talking about recessing for a week to give both sides time to review other options.

Currently the map approved by the Senate is still waiting for House approval. But it may take some time, leaders said.

Rep. Roger Barrus, R-Centerville, serves on the committee.

He said he does not like the Senate map because it places Tooele County and Hill Air Force Base in different Congressional districts. Tooele County is the home of several military operations, including the Utah Test and Training Range.

"Keeping Tooele with Hill Air Force Base as an anchor would be good for the state," Barrus said.

But the map divides them. Hill Air Force Base stays in District 1 and Tooele County is moved into District 2.

Having them in two districts is not a major concern, said Majority Leader Rep. Brad Dee, R-Washington Terrace.

Dee said having two congressmen members looking out for the state's military would be a good thing.

"I want someone in there who understands the importance of our military," Dee said.

Currently the GOP is split over the congressional map. It divides Salt Lake County three ways. But it, also divides Davis County in two, with Woods Cross, North Salt Lake and Bountiful placed in District 2, and the rest of the county in District 1.

Rep. Gage Froerer, R-Huntsville, who is also a committee member, said he was concerned with one of the proposed maps because Morgan and Summit counties were cut out of District 1 and put into District 2.

"It makes more sense to keep Morgan and Summit with the rest of Top of Utah," Froerer said.

Kaysville Mayor Steve Hiatt spoke in the committee meeting against one of the proposed maps, which kept Layton and Kaysville in District 1, but put the rest of the south part of Davis County in District 2.

"Fruit Heights and Kaysville work together almost as one community," Hiatt said. "We even have the same zip code. We'd like to keep us together."

To view maps or to make comments, go to www.redistrictutah.com.

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