November 1

Republican: Deal close on Ohio congressional map

Associated Press

Published: November 1, 2011 - 07:12 AM

COLUMBUS: A Republican negotiator says a deal is getting close on an alternative map of new congressional districts for the state.

Former state GOP chairman Bob Bennett tells the Plain Dealer the Ohio House could vote on a different map as early as Wednesday.

Republican House Speaker William Batchelder asked Bennett to work with black House Democrats to find a compromise.
http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/republican-deal-close-on-ohio-congressional-map-1.243172

Republicans could be close to a deal with black Democrats on a new congressional map

Published: Monday, October 31, 2011, 8:15 PM     Updated: Tuesday, November 01, 2011, 7:16 AM

By Aaron Marshall, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio Republicans could be close to cutting a deal with black House Democrats for the votes needed for an alternative congressional map, says former Ohio Republican Party Chief Bob Bennett.
Bennett, who has been tapped by House Speaker William G. Batchelder to help negotiate an alternative map with black Democrats, said Monday that he thought a deal could be forthcoming.
"I think we are getting close," Bennett said. "My job is pretty well completed."
Bennett said Republicans are not willing to budge off a map that has 12 Republican-leaning districts and four Democratic districts, but are willing to make some concessions to Democrats.
http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2011/10/rpeubclians_say_they_are_close.html