Heated hearing over Missouri redistricting

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri lawmakers are on track to pass new congressional maps next week.

Two different committees heard testimony on the two main components to Republican Governor Mike Kehoe’s call for an extraordinary session.

An elections committee began deliberations on initiative petition reform Thursday as another committee–a special committee on redistricting–held a hearing in an adjacent room on changes to Missouri’s congressional districts.

Heated at times, Democrat members of the committee blasted Republican State Rep. Dirk Deaton, the sponsor of the map change legislation.

More testimony followed as dozens of residents lined up against the change to Missouri’s 5th congressional district, a seat currently held by Democrat Congressman Emanuel Cleaver. The proposed changes to the district would give Republicans a better change of flipping the Democratic stronghold in Kansas City.

“It didn't go the way we wanted,” State Rep. Mark Sharp, a Democrat from Kansas City, said. “Clearly, the Freedom Caucus in the Republican Party has taken over.”

When asked if the maps were a done deal, Sharp said there wasn’t much House Democrats could do.

“I think the writing is on the wall,” Sharp said. “To use 71 Highway in Kansas City as a dividing line, that's a clear gerrymander. Clear gerrymander.”

“Keeping the black community separated from the Ward Parkway corridor in Kansas City,” Sharp said. “It’s disgusting what's happening today.”

After six hours of testimony, the redistricting committee voted 10-4 to advance the bill. On Friday, another committee will take up redistricting ahead of a full House vote, expected on Monday.