2021-07-29 00:00:00 - Special Joint Committee on Redistricting
2021-07-29 00:00:00 - Special Joint Committee on Redistricting
REP MICHAEL MORAN - I uh stock this uh this is the uh 19th hearing on on the committee for redistricting and our last hearing, I'd like to bring it to order. Um This is our last hearing when it comes to the listening portion of this process. Um We are we have been uh doing hearings in uh English language hearings. We have been doing hearings that are by congressional district, we did nine of those and we are also doing another hearing after this. When we release the maps, we are going to have a our very last hearing for to solicit comments on the actual maps when we when we make them public. So that will be55 the last hearing we have and that hearing is to be determined when because As all of you know from this process, we are we are not sure uh they're telling us we're going to get the data September 30.
We're not sure we're going to get the data data from the census. So that hearing is hard to schedule and will be scheduled after we um sometime after we have the official data given to us from the United States Census. Um this hearing is about the 9th congressional district and the cities and towns in the 9th congressional district. I'm happy to say that there is quite a few members of the United Congressional district that are that are on this committee. Actually, there are Five reps that are on this committee that represents cities or towns in the 9th congressional district. Um And before I get to uh the people who are here and my colleagues that are here, I just want to say a few words uh if I could as we wrap up this portion of the process. Um I really want to again thank the staff both on my staff and on Senator Brownsberger’s staff and the people at LIS.
For all the work they've done and trying to make sure we could bring these hearings to the people uh as seamlessly as possible, giving the the issues that we're all dealing142 with around COVID. So I thank them greatly for all their work. Um and and appreciate them very much.149 So. Again, this is the last one. The152 listening portion of the hearing of this154 process is coming to an end. Um We have tried our very best to solicit as much comment as we could from elected from civic groups, from activists from the average citizen, um whether they speak English or speak another language. We want you to be part of this and hopefully you have felt that in these hearings. Um and I also would like to thank my my colleagues many of you who have attended almost all these hearings. Um I am very much appreciative of your attendance uh at these hearings. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Um So at this point in time I'd190 like to mention who's here my colleagues that are here uh and thank them for being here. Um Not the least of which is my colleague from Lawrence. The vice chair of this committee. Uh Marcos Devers from Lawrence thank you for being here. Um The Gentleman Mattapoisett um also uh is in the ninth C. D. Um uh Representative Bill Strauss thank you for being here. Um I'd also like to thank um the gentleman from Duxbury also Who represents towns in the 9th c. D. Josh Cutler. Thank you for being here. Um uh The gentle lady uh from Fall River carol Fiola also represents some cities and235 towns that are in the ninth C. D. Thank you for being here. Um All the way from Pittsfield. Again a frequent flyer242 on all these hearings is Tricia Farley-Bouvier Thank you very much Trish for being here. Um The newest member, the gentleman from Barnstable kip Diggs251 lives in this district, obviously in his in his attendance tonight.
Ah The minority the ranking member of the minority party, paul Frost from Auburn. Thank you paul for being here. And the gentle lady from holden kim Ferguson. Thank you for your attendance. Um I will if if the senator is okay with this. I know Senator Brownsburg is in here but I also want to thank Anne Gobi the vice the vice chair of this committee on the Senate side from Spencer. She has been a frequent flyer of all these hearings. Thank you anne for your attendance and uh and last the newest member of the of the Senate. Uh Certainly not new to politics but new to290 uh to this committee and to the Senate. Uh Senator Adam Gomez, thank you Senator for uh for being here. So now I would like to if I could turn it over to my300 colleague from provincetown, Um who is a member of house leadership member of this committee uh to bring us some greetings from the 9th congressional district.
Uh thank
you.
REP PEAKE - Thank you Mr. Chairman. It's great to be here with everybody. Great to see all of my colleagues and I see we have 43 participants. So I expect we'll hear320 a lot of testimony this evening. I thought I would uh first of all welcome everybody in a virtual way to the ninth congressional district, a beautiful congressional district. It is of course my biases. I think that Cape Cod is the most special part of it. But you know, ducks very full river. Mata poison. They're not so bad either. So, uh we're lucky to344 live in this beautiful part of the commonwealth and we're certainly lucky to be represented by congressman Bill Keating and for those who don't know much about bill, give a brief bio of him. He was first elected and became my Congressman in 2010, elected in November of 2010, elected then to the 10th congressional district.
Back in the good old days when we had 10 people representing us in the in the US House of Representatives. Then in 2012, he became my Congressman again, but this time representing the 9th congressional district. Um as was mentioned at an earlier hearing during that shrinkage from 10-9 and the and the redistricting that resulted, he was redistricted out of out of his home. In effect he was living in Quincy, but much396 to the benefit of Cape Qatar's. He and his wonderful wife, Tevis bought a home in born where they have been residing since then and have become good friends prior to being elected to Congress. Bill served as the Norfolk County DA. From 99 to 2011. He served in the Massachusetts State Senate from 1985 until 1999. And I believe the reason he is such422 a great person, a great US representative and has been so effective in all he has been able to do.
Is because he cut his teeth in elected office in the Massachusetts House of Representatives serving from 1977 to 1985. Bill has a BA. and an M.BA443 from Boston College, his JD from Suffolk Law. And as I said earlier, he is just the greatest his hands on. Uh, for us, I'll speak to things in my region if there is an issue with our foreign workforce, with the Cape Cod bridges, with dredging in any number of our harbors with support for our fishing industry, uh, from467 New Bedford all the way to Provincetown. Bill Keating is there for us. He knows us, he knows the district and he has a great partner in government to have and it's great to see him there. Looks like he's in Washington too bad. Bill, It was a beautiful day on Cape Cod. You weren't here, uh, to be on the Cape today, but we're glad you're down there doing all this great work for us. Thank you so much. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you Sarah for your comments. Um, and I guess we'll just get right to it. I worry because it's Cape Cod and the islands. I wore a Hawaiian shirt501 today. So, uh, I guess we'll get right to it. Congressman. Thank you. I know your schedule is very busy and thank you for taking some time out of your busy schedule to come and testify here. Ah So, um, I guess the floor is yours. We'd love to hear what you have to say.
BILL KEATING - MASSACHUSETTS' 9TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT - Well, thank you. Mr. Chairman. And um, I am between roll calls, I ran down the republicans are using some dilatory tactics aggravating themselves. So for what it's worth. I just want to thank you. And Sarah mentioned Sarah,533 if I need someone to do my eulogy, your thank you for those kind words.
PEAKE - Many, many, many, many years into the future.
KEATING - That's right. Well, thank you were friends obviously. And uh, you know, it's interesting you've got six members you know that represent this district. So there's a lot that you know about this district. I was in the House and Senate to, it's a tough job to have uh, doing redistricting usually don't make friends, uh,561 when it gets down to the last portions of this. But thank you all for taking the responsibility of doing it. It's important to do, it's important to the communities and, and honestly, it's a 10 year view of what's important to the communities. So these will be very impactful decisions. Uh, this district as our touched on, is unique. I know people will say their districts are all unique in a sense that's true, but this is clearly unique and it's largely unique because it's so coastal and the issues that flow from that.
Whether they be economic issues, environmental issues, social cultural issues. Much of it flows from the fact that it is so coastal and the impact of that on the economic front. You can see that number one uh, historic fishing industry is very important to this area, uh including the fragmented parts of the fishing industry. I mean, the South618 coast has one type of fishing drag fishing that they do. Scallops are big. Uh, Cape Hope fishermen and the islands. Uh they're they're,627 you know, representing that type of the fishing community as well as south. Sure. Uh, that does both. So you've got the fishing industry and then you have the burgeoning industry. We just had a hearing on today that I chaired on vineyard wind. We are the first uh commercial size offshore wind enterprise in the United States.
It's a big deal and it's happening. We signed the Project labor Agreement just a couple of weeks ago for the unions and the jobs that are going to be there. Uh and there'll be more flowing from that to come. Uh So the economy also deals with the seasonal nature of being a coastal community. The difficulty in the tourism industry and the hotel industry, uh, and restaurant industry, that's their COVID has made that much more difficult. But the workforce problems we have there and you go from the workforce issues and you can see some of the housing issues. Affordable housing in our area is a big issue on the islands687 on the Cape. Uh are two cities. Affordable housing is important. South Shore prices are694 high and affordable housing is an issue there. Uh, it's an issue.
We have to tackle. People look at this district as the lifestyles of the rich and famous, not the people who live here year round. They have real needs. And there's more stamp, uh, you know, food stamp programs is more uh, things that you wouldn't realize are integral to this.715 The health care system in the area is very unique to uh, in the South Coast, for instance, the South Coast health system. That's a dish hospital serving people that need health care services and have accessibility problems to that. So it's very Medicaid sensitive, uh, and they're trying to stitch together budgets with federal support and state support just to get by and service. The community is very much in need in the Cape. Cape Cod Healthcare System, I've got the oldest district outside of Florida Florida in terms of age of the Medicare issue.
There is big, the rural part of the district of Cape and Islands where community health centers are so important are an issue. Uh, if you look at the environmental issues, they stem from the same things. It's a coastal district. We see erosion, the effects of climate change, the infrastructure issues that are needed in terms of dredging flood insurance. I could go on and on with the issues that we have to deal with because of the environment, socially and culturally. Uh, interesting enough in the whole Congress, uh,782 this district has the highest proportion of Portuguese American than any other district in the United States. And that's certainly one of791 the many cultural areas that that is so important to keep together in a commonality of communities. Uh, so, uh, it's different uh, parts802 of it are different from the803 other, but they have a lot of overlapping needs.
Like I mentioned, transportation is in need. The idea of community real extension to Buzzard's Bay and Cape Cod and extension of South coast is important. The RTAs and Yeah, good. one of our alums from the house Tommy to here is doing a great job in our area with regional transit in that area. So, uh, these issues merged, but I want to give you this impression to828 and then I'll stop uh huh. The potential in this district is just off the charts. The hearing835 I had today on offshore winds was an example of that. We are going to be the Silicon Valley and I'm not841 exaggerating, we're going to be the Silicon Valley of the marine and blue industry. That industry is going to all the projections. Forbes magazine, an article.
It's going to grow at double the rate of the average uh industries in our country in the next 10 years. Uh And everything that spins off from that, the involvement we've had from offshore wind is going to extend. It's extending to the educational area of Bristol Community College is setting up one of the country's first education and job training centres. There'll be international in that respect, uh creating new jaws. Mass maritime,879 the premier maritime engineering school is there? Uh884 U. Mass, Dartmouth S. Mass is right there. Uh Cape Cod Community College and then research institutes like Woods. Ho I'm also in the Armed Services Committee and Joint base. Cape Cod is a897 very important part of our economic. Economic growth in the region, as well as being one of only four Air Force stations now in the country.
So this is, there's so much going on. I could talk forever. I should be on the Chamber of Commerce sometimes talking about this district, but it is unique and, and the way it's constructed uh in terms of its coastal influence, its coastal center is a huge part of that. So I know you've got a tough job to do, You've got priorities uh centering first on the majority minority. Just strict and then working your way out from there around the commonwealth. But I would say that the integrity, the coastal integrity and everything that flows from that is an important part to maintain in this district. And without a just be quiet. And, and if anyone has a question, I'll let you know because I, I warn you, I could go on.
M MORAN - Thank you congressman very much. And you know, uh, we are all excited about that vineyard win. And I think it was you who told me this years ago964 that that if we harnessed all the offshore, when we had that, we could, we could provide electricity for every residential home in the Comox. And that's a Wow, that is certainly centered around your district. It is very exciting, very exciting.
KEATING - So Biden is estimating his plan is to have 10 million homes. Have you around? Energy needs met by offshore when in our country. So, you're right.
M MORAN - Very exciting, very exciting. And thank you for the work you're doing on that. And I know as you said, you're in between votes. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
So, uh, um, I have no questions. I would want to ask all my colleagues on997 the, on the, on this committee. If anybody has a question for the congressman right?
Hearing none, uh, for your testimony, get back up there and, uh, and fight hard for. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thanks josh. Thanks carol.1014 Thanks Julian. Thanks. Bill strauss cities there. I'm only I don't have the full gallery, but I've got six people there.
Thank you. All right. Thank you Carson. Okay. Uh, next to testify is, and I see her showing up here. It would be Susan kelly. She is the uh, sorry, sorry. Susan, my mistake. Um, we have representative nor Morrell is here and would like to testify. Representative or l
you gotta take yourself off mute. Orrall you go. I thought I did. There you go.
REP ORRALL - So just real quick. I'm just a portion of my district does cover the ninth congressional. I'm glad to see so many people involved in the decisions and so I just want to be part of listening in while I can before I have to run to my next meeting to see what folks have to say specifically from the district as far as what their thoughts are. So I appreciate times Chairman. And I'll just turn it back to you.
Mr Chairman. Your muted. Sorry. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Mr Chairman.
Thank you norm. And to make sure we get you back to your district as quickly as possible. I'm going to forego questions for you and uh and move to the next person to testify. Um Susan kelly, uh, is the town clerk of Duxbury. Uh Susan kelly, would you please uh step forward and let us have1110 here what you have to say.
We go,
SUSAN KELLEY - TOWN CLERK FOR THE TOWN OF DUXBURY - Thank you, thank you. Chairman Moran, Chairman Brown's burger and members of the commission. My name is Susan Kelly and I am the town clerk for the town of Duxbury. This is my 8th year serving in this role and prior to being elected town clerk, I also served as the assistant town clerk in this office. I am an active member of the mass town Clerk's association and an officer of the Tri County Clerk's Association with membership in Plymouth Bristol in Norfolk County's First, I'd like to say that I'm very appreciative that you and your commission members are taking the time to listen to local feedback and suggestions about this process. Duxbury is a small coastal town with a rich history.
Uh one time we were known as a merchant ship building center, but today we are better known for our local aquaculture industry and the home of Island Creek Oysters. We face many of the same issues as the other coastal communities in this district, including the impacts of climate change and sea level rise. Having said that, I join you today to ask that the commission avoid um dividing the town of Duxbury into multiple districts for either our congressional or state legislative districts. Currently, Duxbury is split into two different house districts because all six of our precincts voted the same location. Uh this division creates a good deal of confusion for the voters, as well as extra work for the poll workers and expense for the town. Using the multiple ballots for each election requires basically that the split precinct is run as a separate election within the same polling location and this results in a higher cost per vote.
On average, which was really felt during the vote1234 by Mail efforts in 2020. Um, this request is not a reflection on any current officeholders. We have a bipartisan delegation representing the town in the state legislature and they all work together very well. We're appreciative of all that our elected representatives, both state and federal, do for this community. Um, this request is about precincts and it's not about these people. I certainly understand that due to the census math, some small towns will need to be divided to ensure that we have equitable and equal sized districts. Excuse me. Ducks very has been split for the past two decades and for the next redistricting process, I would ask on behalf of our voters in this office. That consideration be given to keeping the town whole at this time. I thank you and thank you for the opportunity to speak.
M MORAN - Thank you very much for your comments, Susan. Um, I will leave you with a somewhat of a funny story back in January 2015 of the 2011 Uh Deval Patrick, who was the governor at the time, uh lives in Milton in his town. It was split in half and uh, in the Boston globe article, he said, uh, they asked him about his town being split and he said, usually when people say that to me, I asked them well which towns would they rather split? And uh, and that usually ends the discussion. So, uh, so we we certainly hear you and one of the principles that we do try to employ uh, is to split as a few towns as possible. Um That's that's something that we we are cognizant of. We realized the sometimes it can be frustrating. Um and um it is something we are aware of that, so, and I appreciate your testimony. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Um I would ask my colleagues on this committee, does anybody have any questions for Susan?
No question. Mr Chairman, I want to send greetings to our wonderful1356 tom Clark. Thank you.
Smart move josh. Uh Thank you Susan. We appreciate your testimony. Thank you very much. All right, next we have joe glenn. He is a school committee member from the town of Yarmuth. Joe glenn.
Yeah. Hi Mr Tareq. Nearly I can thank you joe What say you?
JOE GLYNN - CONCERNED CITIZEN - Um as you said, I'm chiming in from the great town of Yarmouth in representative Kip Diggs’ Second Barnstable district. I won't take too much of your time, although I hold those two positions in town. Uh the Dennis-Yarmouth School Committee and the Yarmouth Housing Authority. Obviously this decision won't affect me, but I think that gives me a unbiased look at it. And I'm just testifying as a citizen1408 concerned about the fair distribution of representation. I'm concerned that the towns will not have all the census information as you reference and this year is quite1422 different um in that the towns are trying to do get that compile that information now um without all of the census data so that your committee can have can make a decision.
So my my concern is that all the information isn't gonna be there, so you your committee is not gonna have the most1447 accurate information. My question is, do we have any way to provide the towns the ability to merge their annual census data and and maybe that the town clerk of of Duxbury can, can enlighten me on my lack of knowledge from the clerk's perspective. Um, but I know our town clerk uh, in Yarmouth came before, uh, the board of Selectmen in emphasized some of these concerns uh, also, but they might might Because we all know this is a 10-year cycle. The towns are kind of put in a situation to make1491 arbitrary projections because they have to look at housing and, and what might happen.
Like in Yarmouth, we have to um, affordable housing projects that are that are recent and that changes the dynamic of precincts. Um, but they also have to project the changing atmosphere of the, of the town. And so they won't have accurate data if we don't use accurate data in the beginning. We're certainly not going to have accurate data in the, in the end. So I'm wondering if we can use that information in the annual town censuses to kind of merge and then when we get that information um that the census information will will be better out at it. And also The towns have to uh they have to stay within that 5%1549 of 4000 per precinct or something. Um and it may be pertinent to the town of Duxbury.
Is there any way that you can look at that and say those bordering towns? Well, this town is 5% uh above there, that 4000 number of precinct and this town is below, so you can draw that line, but that's just for your basic information. I just uh wanted to uh come in on the problem that that the secretary of state and the town clerks are going to have in and ultimately your decision. So, thank you very much. Mr. Chairman, um I appreciate everything that people1592 have done and I just uh just in case congressman Keating still aboard. Uh He mentioned a lot of our characteristics, um one that I'm sure he is uh uh is afraid that he didn't mention, but veterans is another portion at least on the Cape um that we have to uh consider in all of these issues, so thanks very much. Mr. Chairman.
M MORAN - Uh thank you, Joe. And uh just to put a little a little bit of context around around some of the things you said, um the the census isn't giving us we are by by constitution, required uh to use the census numbers when we draw our districts. Uh There's no wiggle room around that, there's no way we can use anything else. The census is telling us1645 that we're not getting those, that data until September 30. Um and we have to have our districts drawn by November eight. We have to have signed by the governor and passed by November eight because uh representatives have to live in their district for one full year.
So those are just some uh parameters around which that we have to work over this redistricting cycle 10 years ago, joe I don't know if you know, but I was the chair of redistricting committee then as well. Uh we didn't have these1676 these Um these issues 10 years ago, what we do now. Um uh and maybe you've heard that you know, some uh clamoring around uh drawing of precincts and when that happens, um we are by no means taking away municipalities ability to draw their precincts. That's not what we're going to need to do this1698 time around, but we do, we are going to need to draw um are our districts prior to uh the districts every 351 cities and towns1708 having all of their precincts drawn.
Um but that doesn't, that wouldn't, that's not going to hurt your ability to draw your precincts or reconfigure the lines in your precincts once you just stay within1718 the boundaries of the House and Senate and congressional districts, which will be fairly easy to do so. Um so as far as getting you any data quicker, uh we can't do that because we don't control that the census does, and they're telling us we're not going to get the data until September 30th. And1735 that is sort of dictating the flow of of work and when it's gonna happen. So, uh hopefully that that that is uh informative to you and answer some of your questions. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Um but I have no questions for you, joe. But let me ask my1749 colleagues on the committee if they have any questions for joe.
Uh hearing none, I will I will move on to the next person testified. Thank you joe for your for your1761 testimony. Um Next up we have um it looks like we have um
Marlene Rivera's Rivera's Marlene.
Mhm. Hi, can you hear1777 me? Yes I can.
MARLENE CERRITOS-RIVAS - CONCERNED CITIZEN - Hi, my name is Marlene Cerritos-Rivas. I am a resident of New Bedford Massachusetts. I'm here to testify. Um redistricting for my city. So a little background. I currently live on mainland Street, which is in the state district. 101798 more for east. Um I live I've slept in your backpack for about 17 years. Um I1805 moved when I was a lot of nine. I've gone to the elementary school. I went to hit in my sudden uh war 34 So at 3A a. Um, I went to Roosevelt middle school and we're 6A Um, and I graduated from great an effect provoked text in 2014. Um, after that I moved away to college, came back recently about a year and a half ago.
Um, and clearly work in the city, try to make a better place for myself and my family. Um, I currently work on community economic development center part time, then do vaccine out reach for them all over District 11. Um, where many of the people who look like me live there. Um, and I shop, market basket and restaurant and District 11 enjoy eating at my favorite restaurant Celia's on this District 10. So my point is that as I1860 walk in and drive and enjoy my city, I really see no difference among the people and the places I spend time, money and energy on um, the political views of my family down the street from my house on District 10 and those are my family's in District 11 are really the same.
Um, and throughout my time in you pepper, I have experienced the diversity of my city as a whole and maneuver from district to district and world war without really paying attention to any destination. Until it's really time for us to short political power, which as a woman of color, um, as a Latina and member of this minority community, um, that political power becomes this diminish, um, due to the current way of my city into five different district. And for me it is absolutely necessary that me, my sisters, my aunts, uncles and cousins are voting for with our own people and exercising all right to build that political power that we need in order to elect and choose individuals who represent our community and our from our community.
Um I1924 would one day we'd like to run for office and I feel that I have District 10 and is shrunk in your bed for Sony before is no longer part of it. And if District 11 is expanded in order to maintain the community together, I would be able to one1943 day have the opportunity in the near future to be an elected member of our community um and represent that community. Um but I feel so nearly attached to and close to and I'm proud to be part of um from here to give that testimony. And I hope that you consider shrinking district ton um Sony records no longer part of it and expanding district level in1966 order to to maintain my new Bachelor's together. Thank you and thank you for allowing me to speak.
M MORAN - Thank you, Marlene very much appreciated. Um New Bedford in Fall River certainly uh connected in their working class um the working class designation. We do not have enough just by point of uh just so you know, um unless the numbers changed drastically, um there is not enough of a minority population in New Bedford Because it's 63% white uh to draw a specifically majority minority district. Um and the2016 surrounding towns don't support that minority number in New Bedford so that we could potentially connect that number to another town and then make a majority minority district. Um We are aware of the of the majority minority population, both in New Bedford and Fall River.
We will certainly look at that immediately in the house districts to see if there has been any growth or any opportunity there to uh to2041 keep it together and and and or connected with somewhere2044 else to make a majority minority district. But unless the numbers changed drastically from last year, from 102050 years ago when I was the House chair of redistricting men, um I would be very hesitant to say that that that happened, but we do like to keep it is together as much as we can because uh it does provide the ability for um uh those groups to have a bigger voice. So I hear what you're saying,2070 it's something we are aware of and we've we've always kind of watched um and if there is some ability to do something there um it is one of the charges of of this committee that we would do that. So um I just thank you for your testimony, I very much appreciate it. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
and um I would ask my colleagues if there is any questions from Marlene.
Okay? Hearing none. Thank you Marlene for your testimony. Very much appreciated, enjoy the rest of your evening. Uh Next is uh Suzanne brock. Suzanne brock. Are you here to tell us what your thoughts are?
Yes sir I am here. Can you hear me? We we can Suzanne whatever you have to say for us. Okay sorry
SUZANNE BROCK - LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE CAPE COD AREA - Good evening. My name is Suzanne Brock I'm currently the president of the League of Women voters of the Cape Cod area. I also reside in Dennis which is part of the first Barnstable district represented by representative Timothy Whelan. I wish to thank co chairman of the Joint Committee on redistricting, Representative Michael Morann and Senator Williams Brownsberger. Excuse me for the splendid job they are doing, holding these public meetings on the redistricting process. Members of the League of Women voters of the Cape Cod area have attended every meeting and have heard very interesting and useful testimony from all over Massachusetts. We recognize that because of the differing population sizes of the towns on the Cape.
It may be necessary for state house districts to cover more than one town. However, we would request that state house districts aligned with Cape Cod town boundaries whenever possible in order to avoid voter confusion and complicated election planning for local officials. It would be beneficial to the towns on the Cape to be served by the least number of state House representatives as possible, and preferably not divided into more than two state house districts. Representing multiple towns can raise conflicting interests among legislatures, legislators, competition among towns for influence in Boston and decision making issues based on where you're more familiar voters reside. Currently the largest and most diverse town on the Cape Barnstable, with its central city Hyannis Is carved up among three separate state house districts.
The first district represented by Timothy Whalen, the second district represented by representative Kip Diggs, And the 5th Barnstable District, served by representative Stephens Xiarhos. Currently, voters in the 5th Barnstable District have to wait in the correct voting line in a shared polling place and make sure they cast the correct ballot, all because they reside on the odd number side of the same street that separates them from their2282 neighbors. In the second Barnstable district, who live on the even numbered side, casting an incorrect ballot can cause a ballot to be rejected as an organization that encourages informed and engaged voters. We feel that when district lines have to be drawn within a town, that the boundaries do not split individual streets in this fashion. The other issue that seems particularly salient at this time is the decision as to whether to create district lines 1st rather than correcting precinct changes within towns.
While the Legislature may have their reasons for considering disorder, the League of Women voters of the Cape Cod area feels that town precinct should be established for allowing town clerks to be able to deal with individual local election issues that are pertinent to their towns. For example, in Dennis, the Old Kings Highway area requires some different items to be included on the ballot, and that area falls north of Route six highway at present, precincts have been able to align around this issue. Finally, while I know that members of the joint committee had little control over the census data, I have some concern over the actual numbers being used on the cake. I say this because I worked as a census enumerators during the past year. Many of the locations that I visited were originally second homes.
However, with the changes that occurred during COVID year, many of those part timers actually relocated to their to their second homes permanently. But when the2399 census was conducted, they were counted at their previous location because that's where they received their April census form. Given these shifts,2409 I believe that the number of actual residents on the Cape maybe higher then those census figures may indicate and those census numbers will be used to determine the new districts. Massachusetts did a good job with a redistricting redistricting process in the past round in 2010. And with the openness of these hearings, it is hopeful that this year will not be any different once again, thank you for listening and for your effort and inclusion During this difficult process, We look forward to the new map draft and hope that all public comments are taken into consideration during the determination of the new boundaries. Thank you all.
M MORAN - Thank you Suzanne. Um If I could uh talked about a2461 few of the things you mentioned, um the actual numbers versus the census numbers versus what was living there during COVID. Um I hear you and I actually2472 think you're probably correct that both in the Berkshires and in in Cape Card in places like that. Um their numbers were probably a lot higher. Um but unfortunately we are bound by our constitution uh to use whatever numbers that are given to us from the census. Um my hope is that maybe those numbers that come in accounted for that. Um but we as a as a committee and as the body that's entrusted with doing this process, um we have to use whatever those numbers are.
Uh and we cannot deviate from that because our constitution tells us that um with regard to casting ballots and getting a ballot in the ballot, that is wrong. That's that's an issue that I would I would encourage you to talk to your town clerk about, because while I while I i that could potentially happen, um that issue is best addressed with your town clerk um and not in this redistricting process, uh because you know, it's pretty clear where a precinct is and who should get a ballot2540 based on their address. Um And we hope the town clerk would would would help you if you had a problem in that regard. And lastly, I think you mentioned that people on an odd side street versus even side street. This is one of2554 the misconceptions that happens, you know, during redistricting, um2558 a line has to be drawn somewhere.
Um, we cannot, we cannot help that from happening. So on some street somewhere, no matter who draws these lines, um, there is going to be somebody who is in one district and somebody who is in another district on the other side of the street. There is nothing we can do about that because the real trucks of redistricting comes down to one person, one vote and having districts that are proportionate so that people get the same amount of representation uh, in government, whether it be at the municipal level, at the federal level, at the state level. Um, so I, I can, I can appreciate the understanding and the frustration when you, when you live on the street and the person on the other side of the street, um, is in a different district, but that has to happen and there's nothing we can do about that um um other than apologize for the fact that it's been done, but it has to happen.
So, um so hopefully that addressed some of your concerns. Um I will touch again lastly on the, on the re presenting issue. Um we have to have this done by the November 8th and uh, this time around, um you know, we're not taking away any municipalities ability to draw their precincts, you will still have the ability to do that. The town's will still have the ability to do that. Um the only, the only caveat this time is going to be, they're going to need to stay inside the boundaries of the house districts, which I don't think is very much to ask. Uh, seeing that we only split. Um I think it's 40 towns in the entire Commonwealth. So anyways, so that's hopefully I addressed some of the issues you brought up. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Um, I will ask my colleagues if they have any questions for Suzanne, the
chairman, find mates more by way of a comment. Yes, you can go ahead Sarah Peake.
PEAKE - Great, thank you. So, first Suzanne, I would like to thank you and the League of Women voters for your engagement through this process. I know of exchange several emails, if not with you with other members of the League and have been pleased that you have actively uh participated and signed onto and listened to testimony from the other districts. I know for me hearing testimony from across the commonwealth has been a great education uh and2695 I'm sure that you have found it the same way. Yes, ma'am. Just just to address something that you brought up as somebody who represents eight communities on the Outer and Lower Cape because of course, the population uh requirements.
Uh it would be impossible for me just to represent my little hometown of Provincetown and have that be large enough to be a legislative district. So very happily I represent while seven in one, seven complete communities and one precinct in Brewster on the Outer and Lower Cape. And you mentioned something about conflicting interests. Um Speaking from my 14 now, going on 15 years of experience, I can tell you with all honesty that yes, each community has um perhaps its own character, but it is a great joy to work with each of those communities on their local issues, but then also be in a position where I can help make connections among the communities and the community members because of my position Holding elected office representing all eight of those communities. Um for me, what2766 I would hope could be a priority.2769 And what I would like to see done through redistricting is not so much keeping towns hole, for example, I think Rep Whelan and I really enjoy both representing the town of Brewster and we are2782 able to successfully tag team with each other, um, alternating who takes the lead, kind of dependent upon subject area. If it's something he knows something more about, he leads and I sort of bat cleanup, but if it's something I know a little more about, I lied and he bats cleanup and, and we make a great team and I think Brewster, you know, without tooting my own horn and Tim’s horn on his behalf. I think Brewster is well served by the two of us working collaboratively in that way. What I don't want to see is in an effort to have rep districts be made up of whole towns because of the unique geographical nature of the Cape and being a peninsula. I
f I were, for example, to take more of Brewster than I quote unquote need that pushes everybody west and we all squeeze from the Atlantic ocean towards the Cape Cod Canal. Right now we have the five numbered districts plus Cape and Island rep districts. So we have six members of the House of Representatives, far far less representing Barnstable County than represent Middlesex or Suffolk or even Plymouth County. Um, we need all six of those people so I want to make sure that we don't squeeze farther west than we have to and that we keep our, our team Cape Cod, uh, intact as much as possible. So, again, thank you so much for your testimony and I know uh, with the League, it's always an ongoing dialogue and I look forward to having conversations with2873 you or anybody else from the League as as this process moves forward. So thanks so much
BROCK - Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you Sarah.
I would ask my colleagues anybody2884 else have a question for Suzanne.
Okay. Hearing none. Thank you Suzanne for your testimony. Thank you. Very informative testimony. Thank you Suzanne. Um Next up is Edward ventura. Edward ventura.
Hi. Hello. Yeah. Right.
EDWARD VENTURA - CONCERNED CITIZEN - Hello. My name is Edward Ventura. I'm uh doing a testimony for New Bedford. I'm a 17 year old US. Citizen. I'm looking forward to vote next year. I’ve been living in New Bedford for about 10 years2927 now. Um I have 10 relatives that also live here. My dad Adrian Ventura has been living here for about 10 years. He's the executive director of CCT. An immigrant based organization in New Bedford that helps the community. Um I live on Belleville Road on 11 Bristol. I go to church on St. Anthony's uh in New Bedford.
Ah I work at CSJ. And I usually go to Buttonwood Park Zoo on the 10th District. My friends and family live in different house districts around in Bedford including the 10th, 11th and 13th. But to me, my friends and family, we feel as though they are the same community. They we don't see any differences and we feel as though they are separated for no reason at all. Our community2970 at times is very united and we feel that in the future we want somebody that that can represent us that look like us and we want to vote for them fairly. Thank you.
M MORAN - Thank you Ed with, thank you for your testimony very much appreciate it. Um I would just add that all the districts are drawn um are going to have to be drawn roughly um with a plus minus 5% of 45,000.2997 Um and you know, that's sort of the the guiding principle of the size of our districts. Um and as I said to the person prior, we try very much and have been successful at least 10 years ago when making sure that um where3013 there is a majority minority opportunity uh to draw our district. We did and that is another principle we are going to employ this time around. Uh Just so that um so that we have that SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
recording in progress just so we have that that that that uh continuity in in the district. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
So um I would ask my colleagues anybody have any questions for everything, anybody. And thank you all for participating. I can see you all on camera. Thank you for participating.
Um hearing no questions. Thank you for your testimonial with um Next up to testify would be Betsy smith. Betsy smith are you there?
I just got the option of of clicking on uh oven muting myself. We can hear you. Yeah and but but you can't see me because I seem to have unlocked my stop video but make
you you we can see you, we can see your beautiful face. Thank you my smiling face.
BETSY SMITH - CONCERNED CITIZEN - Um I I want to thank Suzanne Brock of the um Cape Cod League of Women voters because a couple of days ago I went to uh seminar that the3099 league ran to give us some information and I went because I wanted some help in knowing what to say to you all today. Um and actually they were unable to give me help because they don't have any numbers, you don't have any numbers. I was looking for numbers. I live in Brewster as Rep Peake mentioned one of the divided towns. Um somebody remarked at the League presentation that Brewster has a wealthier part and a less wealthy part, but they did not say whether it was first constable or3136 fourth Barnstable.
That was the wealthier or less wealthy pardon. So I still don't know which part I live in. But the fact that somebody could say that seems to me to indicate that there are some factors that maybe are not the best factors for making decisions. 10 years ago I went to an in person redistricting um meeting and the question then was whether um Brewster should be divided or another town should be divided because of the numbers. I have no idea. I was hoping to come today and say I am looking forward to staying in for responsible or I am looking forward to joining for fourth Barnstable.
And I have no idea because um there are no numbers and I cannot weigh in on where I would like to be and what my reasons are for wanting to be one or the other. And so it's really frustrating3194 to me um to want to participate actively as as a citizen, but not having anything substantive that I can say to anybody except thank you all for doing your best at this. And I I hear a whole lot of frustration. Um but I I am flummoxed about why we would have our hearings without knowing our numbers. And I understand that we won't know the numbers until too late to have our hearings. But there's something wrong with the system that puts the cart before the horse and that's what we are doing today.
M MORAN - Thank you very much Betsy. Um I would just tell you this that We have some projections and having done this 10 years ago, I can tell you that the projections are helpful. Um And what they are telling us is that Barnstable as a county3251 is going to not perform um in a way that is going to allow them to keep their reps in their current configuration. Um And with Representative Peake representing the 4th Barnstable District, um it is very likely that she is going to need some population. Um Now, that gives us the opportunity to have that discussion. Uh does she um take a town that is outside of her district currently, which would only mean Dennis because there's no other place she can go besides Dennis or Brewster. So those are our options, you know? Um So if Sarah uh if the,
Sorry, I will use the group if the fourth Barnstable district needs population, which it likely is going to um We can only go to places one is to give another precinct and Brewster to that district or split up Dennis and give her a precinct in Dennis. Um Because these districts have to be contiguous, they have to be um those are only two options. Um So while we might not have the actual data, we do have enough to sort of have a discussion. While it can't be down to the vote or down to the person or down to the resident. We can have that discussion so um So I hope that that is somewhat informative and it gives you some guidance. Um but it is likely that quite a few number. I think there are five districts on the Cape. Um Sorry one, two, three, four, five, six and I think four of3357 them about are going to need some population. They're gonna need to add some population. So two of them will not. You know uh
SMITH - Did I understand correctly that you are suggesting that two thirds of Brewster might then be in fourth Barnstable and one third of Brewster would stay in first Barnstable. That we would still be split probably?
M MORAN - There is no.
SMITH - I know you can't give me a definitive answer, but that was what I heard you're suggesting.
M MORAN - That would be that would be correct. Be simply because of where they fall on the map. When you start in Provincetown and you have roughly 3000 people. Then you go to Truro which has roughly 2000 people. Then you go to Wellfleet and you have 2700 people. Then3403 you go to and you keep adding them up as you come down the peninsula, You get to the number which you need to get through, which is going to have to be over roughly 41,000. So once you get to 41,000, you have to see where you are and where we land on that on that peninsula is either in the town of Harwich or in the town of Brewster, Because those are two adjacent districts. Um and to add population to uh the 4th Barnstable district to be contiguous.
There's only two places you can go, Dennis and Brewster. So right now that district has one of the three precincts and none of the precincts and Dennis. Right? So keeping towns hole, which is one of the, one of the things we try to do, um to break up Dennis, we could do that, which is not to say the community of interest argument couldn't be there, but the options are Brewster and Dennis. Um, those are the only places we can go. I suppose we could go. Let me correct that we could go to the islands. We could3472 give her Nantucket if we wanted to. Uh, or we could go to Boston because we3477 connect that guy. I don't think, uh,
PEAKE - give me give me a3480 high rise in the seaport district. I don't think those communities of interest.
M MORAN - Right? So, so, you know, I talked a lot during these, honestly, just so people get a real sense3491 of what we're looking at. Um, you know, we're trying to do the best we can and we're trying to give all the best information we can out whether it be on the website or at these hearings, so that people get an understanding of really what what this thing comes down to. And I'm hoping, uh, that that is that the type of dialogue we're having right now is informative and helpful.
SMITH - So what you're telling me3513 is that I have to wait until September to decide if I want to run against Rep Peak Peak or rep Whelan, because I don't know yet where I will be living.
M MORAN - Well, the good news is is that is that we're going to draw it before November eight, so wherever you live, you're going to live in the district. So, uh but yeah, I mean, these are the challenges we're dealing with uh that that that timeline was not, we did not choose that that was placed on us by the federal government, uh and we have to work within the confines of our constitution. And that's just um there really isn't much wiggle room for us on this at all, quite3547 frankly. But um but, you know, we're gonna do the best we can, and we're gonna try and tell everybody like we are right now.
Uh, and bring it to people so that they don't feel as if this was done, you know, in some sort of nefarious way. Um, we're trying to just trying to tell people, you know, very frankly where we are. That's why we that's why we post the uh maps early so people can see them and allow for comment period. We will do that. I don't know if, you know we do that, but you know, we're trying to to to be as transparent as we can given the situation that we're dealing with. So hopefully Betsy, that's that's uh that's helpful in some way or comforting in some way. I guess I could say
SMITH - I thank you for your upfront honesty on the part on my part and the part of all of the voters of the cave in islands.
M MORAN - Thank you, Betsy. Thank you very much. Thank you for your testimony. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Um, okay, so next we have Sasha Sereno. Sasha.
Hi, I'm joined by Michael Martin. Can you come in with me please?
Uh, yes, he is actually. He's next on the list. So I didn't know you guys were coming as a panel. So why don't, why don't we have you go first, Sasha. Then we'll have Michael go next and then afterwards I'll ask my colleagues on the committee if they have any any comments or any questions.
Okay, we're kind of like speaking intertwined. Sorry, how does that work? I've never seen that before.
This can be interesting, joe right ahead. You have the floor both ideas. Thank you. I appreciate that.
SASHA SEVERINO - COALITION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE - Um, first we'd like to think the redistricting committee for hosting this hearing and giving us the opportunity to speak. Thank you. I am Sasha.Severino and I'm here with Mike Martins and we are representing the Coalition for Social Justice. Um We're here to talk about New Bedford. New Bedford has approximately 95,000 residents. Um That's the current estimate as of right now, which means that they have a large enough population for two state house districts and some left over for a third. These two districts can be made entirely of New Bedford residents and thus bring together the majority of the city into two unified districts.
The residents we have spoken to no longer want to be split into five different representatives when their political power can be consolidated within three. Given our research and conversations with the New Bedford community, our recommendation is that precincts 3A, 3D, 3E 3F, 4D and 4D and 4F which are currently split between the ninth and 10th Bristol be united with the rest of New Bedford by placing precincts 3A, 3D, 3F 4D and 4E into the 11th Bristol and the precinct 3E into the 13th Bristol, creating two completely New Bedford districts.
MICHAEL MARTINS - COALITION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE - So based on our research and this is all based on the available sentence data that we have right now, precincts 3A, 4D and 4E which are in East New Bedford represents 64% 50% and 48% people of color, respectively. Yet they are currently within the 10th Bristol, which Only represents about 18% people of colour. So these precincts are clearly outliers within the 10th Bristol and thus are unlikely to make their votes uh have a substantial impact on who their elected officials are and their ability to elect representatives from their community is nearly impossible. and this becomes a barrier for the residents to be active in the election process for their representatives. So they feel secluded from their city with whom they share an urban economic existence and experiences with the growing immigrant population.
So by moving these precincts into the 11th Bristol, uh these precincts in question would be unified with the rest of New Bedford uh and be3775 represented by a district that represents more people color than their current district. And similarly in precincts 3D, 3F and 3E, which are in the ninth Bristol and West New Bedford are those are also split from the rest of the city with whom they also share similar demographics, economic concerns and political interests. So those three precincts, 3D. 3E. And 3F. Are made up of 59%, And 33% people of color respectively and share more similar demographic make up to the 11th and 13th, which represent 30% and 43% people of color than it3815 does with the 9th That's an overwhelmingly white district representing only 17% people of color.
3823 SEVERINO3823 -3823 All3823 six precincts in question may have once been reasonably separated amongst these districts. However, given the trajectory of the population's growth and changes in demographics based on the trends of the past 10 years census data, uh, they are beginning to be out of place in their current districts, meaning that in the next 10 years these prince sects, these precincts will be cracked. If not remedy during this redistricting year. New Bedford residents want to be able to elect representatives from their own community as we've heard with previous statements being made tonight. And with these proposed changes, the committee has the opportunity to create two minority influence districts that can very well become minority majority districts in the future. Thank you.
M MORAN - Thank you for your testimony. Um I guess I would ask uh the numbers that we're looking at um again, they're not they're not real numbers, their estimates Um has New Bedford being 63% White, 21% Hispanic 7% black, um with very little Asian population. So um what I would like to know is um you're you're citing numbers that are very accurate or very sound very accurate. Um I know we don't have the data. We have no data coming from the census.3904 So I'm wondering where did you get those numbers? And who compiled them?
SEVERINO - Um there's this actually this very helpful website called days redistricting. Which has accumulated a bunch of data over the entire country. Of all these numbers and all of these different um communities. And so these are estimates based off of the last census data and the data before that. Um we track the changes in the past like 10 years Prior to the 2010 census. So too Track that change and if changes continue in that same trajectory, this is what we expect. Um the number though for the current residents that 95,000 is pretty accurate as of what it is now. Some estimate to be a little bit higher, but that's where we're at as of right now. Um but to be honest, we still think that given that accurate number of 95,000, it's still um is a good reason to have two districts simply made up of New Bedford itself since it has the capability to do so.
MARTINS - Representative Moran, you're completely correct in that, you know, obviously we don't know the exact numbers because of the census data hasn't come out yet. So we're just working with the best available data. We have.
M MORAN - Yeah I think we we I think I'm pretty sure one3976 of the software package that we offer on the website is Dave's redistricting. So so uh you may have downloaded that that software from the Statehouse website. So now I I as I said to the person previous um that testified on this area. I mean we are very we are very cognizant of the majority and minority stuff. Um You know I think our track record from 10 years ago speaks well to that. Um And you know there are certain issues you know not to get out of the ninth CD, but there are certain issues around Chelsea.
In certain areas like that where we're going to be looking at first to make sure you know if there is something that can be done there that we're going to take a hard look at it and try and get we will get there I should say. Um But I just was curious because any time I hear people throw around percentages I get nervous because I'm wondering if4024 you have data that I don't have? That's really what I'm wondering. So uh so you know because I don't want to be the one the one that has the data second. I want to be the one has data first. You know. So well listen thank you very much. Uh Michael and thank you very much Sasha for your testimony. You guys are well informed and you and you represent very well here. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
So um I would ask my colleagues does anybody have any questions for both Sasha or Michael?
If I could Mr Chair Representative Bill Strauss what? Say you?
REP STRAUS - Thank you. Mr. Chair. And really just by4056 way of comment, I appreciate the effort. And uh, I'm familiar with the data sets that the witnesses have have provided, but I wouldn't want anyone who is perhaps less familiar with Bristol and Plymouth County4073 and and the Cape really went and the whole effort we're doing tonight broadly on The 9th congressional district, but more specifically this New Bedford area question to think that I did hear one comment that the three of the New Bedford precincts that are on the harbor actually,4095 harbor area are outliers in the district. One of the things as4102 congressman Keating pointed out is that the coastal community, which historically has meant in different generations, immigrants from Portugal from Brazil from Cape Verde uh, and and other areas.
Have located not just in that part of New Bedford but into Fairhaven, which is in that district into Mattapoisett and the coastal nature and the demographics of where the population has come historically. Uh New Bedford, I described as a community that has welcomed immigrants for a couple of centuries. Uh is the economy follows. So there is a broad community of interest. The 10th Bristol District, which I have the honour of representing uh sits uh on both sides of the harbor. It's the economic activity associated with fishing. Uh and there is a strong language diversity throughout the district. So I would never describe those three New Bedford precincts is in any way outliers uh, to the rest of the district or to the community at large. I understand the point that the, the witnesses have made, but it's uh, as as the chair knows uh, population where it is drives many4198 of these decisions.
And I don't think it's been something that New Bedford has suffered from the last decade to have five members of the House of Representatives attuned to their interests. And never have I once seen In the 10 years of this map, have I seen any conflict whatsoever by the five members who represent New Bedford uh in how their districts are drawn and the last thing, in order to accomplish what the speakers have asked for, we'd have to add a new community, the town of a Kushner, Which is now wholly within the 11th Bristol District, to now be split. So uh and and and so there are a number of cross currents here. And I think the chair, I know the chair is well familiar with these issues has wrestled with them before. And uh so I just point that out for those broadly watching and uh tonight and who see these these issues as to the complicated issues that go into putting these districts together. Thank you for the indulgence Mr. Chair,
SEVERINO - Can I just say thank you so much? Representative Straus We4274 really appreciate your commentary and obviously you know much more about the community you represent than we do. But we would just like to mention that we understand that a cushion town would potentially be split. But we just want to point out that it's not fair to any community to be split. And currently New Bedford is split into five. So for Kushner Town to be split into two, I mean it's just we understand that that's difficult for any community, but it's unfair to maintain one4302 community split in order to salvage everyone4304 else's. Thank you,
M MORAN - Thank you Sasha. And uh we hear you, you know, you're you're very clear on what your what your request is and and is duly noted uh that they were late to be, you know, some4319 sort of shrinking of the number of reps and where we can consolidate uh minorities that live compact that we do that. So I hear you loud4330 and clear. I also want to throw a shout out to uh representative Straus for his his use of cross current while talking while talking about a coastal district. That was very nice uh wordplay there. Bill, listen again, Sasha, thank you. And uh and Michael thank you very much for your testimony. It's very much appreciated. Thank you for taking time out of a scheduled to join us. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Um, so we'll move on to the next person testify which will be uh Marina lent, L E N T Marina lent. I think I have that. Right,
okay. Am I visible and audible? We got you. We have you what? Say you okay?
MARINA LENT - CONCERNED CITIZEN - I say thank you very much for this opportunity. It is quite an education for me. I do also appreciate the explanation. This is all new to me. Um I am speaking to the district known as Barnstable dukes and Nantucket um and I would like to put forward that they remain on that the district remain unchanged and be represented by Dylan Fernandes The current representative. Um I have been a resident of Martha’s Vineyard since 1998. I live in Edgar Town, I work in Chilmark as the sole staff member of the Board of Health, um but I'm not testifying on behalf of the Board of Health, I'm speaking in my personal capacity.
Um but I want to speak to public health needs because I'm, this is what I'm my experiences and what I'm aware of and, and I believe it is relevant4429 to the redistricting question. Um, The six towns of Martha's vineyard and Nantucket have just been recipients of a public health excellence grant. Um, I don't know if you're familiar with the initiative, but it is, it predates COVID, um, it is to try and um, make it possible. The state is trying to make it possible for towns, Uh, to share public health services with more than one town and as a single staff member of a town, believe me, the scope of public health is, yeah, a wide and then some and um, cannot be adequately addressed town by town. So our seven towns and, and we're also hoping for um, for support.
To create a, a shared service of contact tracing and in infectious disease management, which unfortunately is not something that we've seen the back end of yet. Um, so we are now embarking on these shared services, the six towns of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket together and we are very excited about this. The islands, we don't travel much between each other because the travel is all from the mainland to the islands and back again. But our, the similarities between our economies, our social issues, our community structure, demographics, et cetera, are very, you know, that they're very striking and it really isn't, it takes real time and effort and patience to get to know the islands.
You people don't walk in from outside. And so we feel that splitting up the island's representation would mean neither of us would get the same quality of understanding and personal knowledge that we have gotten. And also that our, the issues that matter most to us would would not have the same wait as they do if we are together, especially as we move together in in shared public services um Among seven towns. So you said people have to be contiguous in a district. And I'd like to put forward that we feel contiguous with Nantucket much, although our sports events would, you wouldn't guess it. Um, so I want to thank you for that and, and I'm happy to answer any questions.
SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you Marlene and thank you for your for what you do. Very important. Um, and uh, all the way from Nantucket in a log cabin, it looks like, but I have no questions for you molly and I appreciate your comments and I would ask my colleagues if if they have any questions for Marlene.
All right, thank4615 you Marina, enjoy enjoy what's left of the evening. Okay. Um next up we have rosemary shields. It looks like from the League of Women voters. Rosemary Shields.
Weird star video. Go ahead, go ahead. Rosemary
ROSEMARY SHIELDS - LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE CAPE COD AREA - Hi thank you so much. I'm Rosemary Shields. I'm kind of close4651 to my screen. I'm Rosemary Shields, co chair of voter service committee of the legal women voters of Cape Cod. The League of Women voters. And I wish to thank chairs Michael Moran and William Brown's burger. The outstanding work they have done4667 holding 19 public hearings in every congressional district and having hearings in the native language is for residents who are more comfortable speaking their mother tongue. You have made good on your promise4681 to take the opportunity to all citizens to be included and engaged in this redistricting process. You have included the majority minority neighborhoods, immigrants and refugees, the disabled blind, physically challenged.
We need everyone regular every election voter the disenfranchised and everyone in between. We need the wisdom of the crowd for the insights we might never think of to make a better democracy. I would also love I would like to thank Representative Sarah Peake and Kip Diggs from Cape Cod for attending the majority of these meetings. And I'd also like to thank the committee staff for supplying information to me, especially to Brian Riley for setting me straight on the boundaries of Route 28 in Barnstable. Thank you Brian, I appreciate that. But after all the work you have done during these hearings now comes the hard part the initial census figures being released and making the maps uh at an accelerated time period. I don't have to tell you that chairman Moran. I do not envy the complicated balancing act.
You will have to perform to achieve consensus among your colleagues and fair representation among your constituents. Your job, which these hearings demonstrate is to improve the impact of the voters voice and to ensure that every vote truly does count the town of Barnstable. Um The town Barnstable is the most populous and diverse area of Cape Cod. There is concern that Cape Cod has lost population. Though looking at the Capes hot housing market, it is hard to believe that we have lost population, but of course it's the federal numbers that we have to work with. And according to preliminary census figures, it looks like the Cape has lost around 1% population vs. Plymouth County having gained 5%. And as Representative Peak has pointed out, the representatives from Cape Cod, bipartisan team.
Cape Cod have4812 really represented, represented us well and we really do appreciate that come mid-august, we on Cape Cod will be taking a careful look at the maps of the map of the town of Barnstable. Nothing speaks louder to a community of interest than keeping its town is whole and in one piece is possible. We'll be looking at why Barnstable was divided into three state representative districts. And if there is a way to make a tighter, more compact district districts, we will be making more specific recommendations when we see the numbers. And we start looking at the neighborhood maps. And I4851 have one question for Chairman Moran. Can you speak about why Barnstable was divided into three state representative districts? I don't know. I don't mean to be putting you on the spot, but I was wondering if you.
M MORAN - I guess the good news uh in having done this 10 years ago. Yes, I can speak to that. Uh So um back then and I will try to use the correct and uh the fourth Barnstable district which was represented also by Sarah Peake then, um was in need of population. So as I said to a previous uh uh testified person who testified, there’s only two places you can go Dennis and and Brewster, um both of which were hole at the time. Um So on a decision I don't want or enjoy to make is one of them had to be split up. So um it was my feeling. Um and when you applied all of the principles, when you applied watershed school districts, um all of the principles that we look at.
Um This was just one of those jump balls where it we just couldn't we couldn't figure out, was was it better to split Dennis up or was it better splits Brewster up ultimately? Um We chose Brewster um and we and we and we had to split Brewster by a third, but that took away population from then Representative in the first possible district, which was Cleon Turner.4948 So4949 now Cleon Turner needed to pick up some population. Um and uh we chose to instead of uh going to Yarmouth, we chose to going to Barnstable and I believe if those numbers are correct, we went into Um Barnstable by 3500, roughly 3500 people.
Um and that put him at4976 a number that didn't make the second Barnstable need to pick up as much so um while it may have given the town of Barnstable another rep added to it, it stopped the flow or slow4996 down the flow, which was heading towards the bridge. And as Sarah articulated a little earlier, um you know, uh we all fight for our our districts and we all fight for our regions. And uh the more we push people towards the bridge, um5015 and the more they go over that bridge, the less Cape Cod proper has as a voice. And, and that was really, you know, the impetus for the decision. Um, it was, it was based on numbers, uh, and it was based upon, and unfortunately we're confronted with a similar situation this time.
And I agree with you. I mean, Cape Cod is a unique place. Um, I go there in august every year. So, um, you know, I'm one of those people that, you know, inflates the population by Cape Cod by probably three times. Uh, um, and you know, unfortunately there's no way to account for that in a redistricting process. Um, but I understand it. I know it. Uh, and given the fact that Cape Cod has challenges, um, one of the feelings we have, at least I can say5062 one of the feelings I have is we want to try and keep as many reps on Cape Cod as possible so that, well, their voice doesn't become any water down. I hope that is a, is a, is a decent explanation or good enough.
SHIELDS - I was wondering like why. So because, and so instead of going to your meth, you went into Barnstable?
M MORAN Yes.
SHIELDS - Okay.
M MORAN - It slowed down the wave, which that's how I always use it. That is a terminal and I guess it's appropriate talking about God, it slowed down the wave of population that was needed. I mean at the time, I think it was the fifth Barnstable district, which was represented then by Randy Hunt. Um, we had to move Randy over the bridge and he had to pick up, he had to pick up parts of Plymouth. So, um, you know, I think he had to pick up three precincts in Plymouth. you know, so now you have somebody that used to represent Cape Card proper now has to go to Plymouth and start to deal with issues implement that they never had to deal with before. So, so that's that's that I think this process, if it does anything, it gives people an understanding of some of the challenges that exist.
They're not made up, they're not they don't they're not gerrymandering. It's just it's just, you know, we're trying to give in5140 the confines of what we're dealing with. We're trying to do our district that makes sense and that and that maybe maybe there's somebody looking from the outside may look at that district and say, wow,5149 that's bodily shaped, having known nothing about the community of interest argument. Um but for us, at least one of the, one of the things that your delegation fights for is that and fight hard for is that is that we keep as many voices on Cape Cod as possible so that we can be unified when we need to fight for the entire peninsula. So hopefully that's helpful to you.
SHIELDS - Yes. And, and they have teen Cape Cod has really come through through the years and I have to, I have to say that and I appreciate uh, Peake saying that. And it's always great5183 to see rep Diggs SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
so .
M MORAN - Awesome.
Well, listen, thank you very much. And don't worry Brian Reilly keeps me in line too. So, uh,
I hire well, thank you. All right. Thank you Rosemary.5197
Okay. Next to testify. Uh, would be Anthony Sapienza
Anthony. Are you there?
Yeah.
And a mute. I am here representative Tony. Nice to see you. What do you what do you get to tell us?
I got a few things to say. All right, we're here to listen.
ANTHONY SAPIENZA - NEW BEDFORD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL - OKAY, great. I'm speaking on behalf5233 of a group of 21 business community and nonprofit leaders from across southeastern Massachusetts and we write to urge the joint committee on redistricting to undo decades of unfairness by amending the boundaries of the ninth congressional district to establish a unified southeastern Massachusetts district that is untethered to greater Boston for more than a century.5255 The cities of New Bedford Fall River, Located only 15 miles apart together home to 180,000 people of similar racial economic and cultural background.
Including the nation's largest Portuguese communities5268 have been either in separate congressional districts are lumped together in a district that extends all the way to the affluent Boston suburbs which have dominated the district politically. The current district. Figuration resulting from the 2010 census is the worst in a century. It splits Fall River, the state's 10th largest city and among its poorest into two. The city's north end has been shoehorned into the gerrymandered fourth congressional district that runs nearly 50 miles to the Boston border and includes the wealthy and politically powerful suburban towns of Brookline, Newton and Wellesley, where medium home prices exceed $1 million and household incomes are four or five times greater than they are in Fall River and in New Bedford.
Fall River's south and meanwhile, forms the westernmost end of the ninth Congressional district, which extends nearly 50 miles east of Provincetown. The result is that the political voice and influence of5324 Fall River has been diluted within two congressional districts, dominated by wealthy suburban Boston communities and Cape Cod resort towns. Meanwhile, New Bedford, the seventh largest city in Massachusetts and home to significant low income black and Latino populations, is included in a gerrymandered district that encompasses wealthy resort communities on the Cape, as well as powerful suburban South Shore residential towns with which the city has little in common. It is no accident that no New Bedford resident has been elected to Congress in over 100 years.
The US Supreme Court, citing the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, has ruled that drawing congressional district lines that effectively marginalised cities on the basis of race is discriminatory and illegal. 6% of Fall Rivers residents are black, 10.5 are Latino, while 7% of the Bedford's population is black and over 20% is Latino. Despite having the largest populations of color in both the 4th and 9th congressional districts, those populations have not been afforded a common voice to advance their purposes. Splitting up the minority populations in the do districts raises serious questions about racial equity. Those minority populations have historically been underrepresented politically and have suffered disproportionately from lower income levels, health problems, crime and5409 lower educational attainment than the affluent and power, powerful communities that dominate the 4th and 9th districts.
It's fair to say that it is directly the result of Fall Rivers and New Bedford's inability to force those issues to the top of the two dress districts, legislative agendas. Fall River in New Bedford be best served by their inclusion in a single congressional district that would allow them to speak with a single vote, votes voice5434 on behalf of their common interests, raising educational performance to generate economic growth, addressing environmental concerns that disproportionately affect minority populations and maximizing the use of their seaports and manufacturing sectors. New Bedford, for two decades, has been the highest grossing fishing port in the United States, and the court generates $11.1 billion Massachusetts, approximately 2% of all of the Commonwealth Economic Activity.5465 Further, the two cities will be the epicenter of a new multibillion dollar American offshore wind industry.
Which will spearhead the transformation of the United States to renewable green energy that will help in the fight against climate change and rising sea levels while enabling Massachusetts to reach its goals of reaching net zero carbon emissions by mid century. The unfairness inherent in the jerry meandering of these two congressional districts to mute the political voice of minority populations is of long standing and must be undone by the Joint Committee on redistricting. If southeastern Massachusetts long short change in the economic growth of the state is to be more than a second class region within the commonwealth. The states other leading regional centres, Boston, oyster Springfield and Lowell all have consistently been represented by residents in their cities and have been well served.
As a result, it should be no different for Fall River and New Bedford. The argument that municipalities that twice the5526 representation, if they are split, is a canard, has been used to justify that gerrymandering for generations. The reality is that focus political commitments matter. The idea that split representation is advantageous, has consistently been knocked down by the Supreme Court in cases involving gerrymandering that has a racially disparate effect and it does not comport with common sense. What would be for fairer would be a 9th congressional district that encompasses New Bedford and Fall River areas. And they're tired. We propose shifting the boundary of the ninth congressional district west to the Rhode Island border.
Moving all of Fall River along with the New Bedford Fall River suburbs of Freetown and West Freetown, Somerset in Swansea into the ninth. Doing so would unite the entire interstate 195 card5575 into congressional district that recognizes the region's common economic, cultural and political interests and undo a history historic drawing that has hindered the growth of the region and prevented its citizens of all races and economic classes for sharing in the prosperity that has blessed the rest of Massachusetts. We urge the5595 Joint Committee on redistricting to remedy the situation in establishing the boundaries of a new district that will treat southeastern Massachusetts and two of its largest and most economically significant cities as a single political entity. That will be able to act to elect its own representatives in the US Congress Congress during the5615 decades ahead of us. I'd like to thank the committee for allowing me to read this. As5620 I say, it represents about 21 members. And by submitting it to you I will not read the list of all of the 21 of us who have signed this letter. But in my role as the New Bedford Economic Development Council president of the board of directors. Uh and as certainly as you know a retired CEO from a large manufacturing company in New Bedford particularly eager to see these kinds of changes uh and these thoughts involved in your deliberations as you put together what we recognize is a very difficult process.
M MORAN - Thank you5660 Tony. Uh And because I get very defensive um about about what happened 10 years ago. Uh I do need to just comment on a few things that you said. Um uh Starting with um the idea that there is racial gerrymandering that exists um in the eighth and in the four sorry in the ninth and the four CD. That's just I know I know no other way to say this. That's categorically wrong because the fourth CD is 84.6% white and the ninth CD is 87% white. So it's physically impossible for the end of the racial gerrymandering to exist if there was I guarantee you uh the NAACP and the Urban League and the ACLU. Would have sued us. so I just need to correct that if I could uh and secondly um you know if I join if if we were to join um the the the Areas that you're proposing .
Instead of saying um the affluent suburbs of Needham Brookline and Newton you5729 could also say the affluent suburbs of Chatham Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. So when you're drawing a district that has 800,000 people, roughly 800,000 people it is impossible, absolutely impossible to not have disparities in income in that district, it's just, it just doesn't happen. So um while5751 while they may make um strong talking points, when people5755 hear them, I do feel a need to push back on those particular uh statements because quite frankly they're unfounded and uh and I just, I just I just while I appreciate your sentiment in your testimony, in the heart in which you gave it. Um I just, there were two areas there. When I hear the word racial gerrymandering, I have to I can't let just that go without having, without addressing it. So I thank you for your testimony. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Um I would ask my colleagues, does anybody have any questions for Tony?
Okay, hearing none. Thank you Tony.
SAPIENZA - Like if I could just if I could just respond to me, I think the important consideration is uh to whatever extent possible, it's possible to put New Bedford in Fall River together in the same district because of the similarities of the populations. I think that's okay. And if we actually if we overstated it in this in this in this letter, uh you know, my apologies, but we we as a group are very, very conscious of the similarities uh in the two communities and to divide those two communities is I think unfortunate uh they do have significant minority populations. Okay. You are absolutely correct the that they are not anywhere near majority minority and we certainly understand that, but to the extent we can in fact unite those two minority populations into into one district that does have an advantage okay, for those populations that have been historically disenfranchised.
And I would thank you for for your consideration of of that particular need. Uh and and the the unity that has occurred in the South Coast over the last few years with5865 the merger of the two chambers of Commerce in Fall River and in New Bedford as one South Coast chamber, the South Coast Development Partnership, which is, you know, been proactively promoting economic development and certainly the Community Foundation now called the South Coast Community Foundation that clearly has identified the similarities in these in these two communities and the necessity to be working together. And it's a long time since since the two cities were at odds with one another. They now we're very cooperative, particularly around offshore wind and fishing and all of the other economic drivers. So I thank you for your consideration
M MORAN - Tony, I I hear you loud and clear on that. And that is a community of interest argument and I totally have every right to make it. And you would be active and uh, thank you very much. And I would also say that just from5916 a perspective of uh, somebody who serves with many of the people who represent down there, some of them clarify all is on this uh committee as well as Bill Straus and all the electors down there. It's an exciting time for that area. That region with wind with rail coming in. Uh, you know, it's, it's an area that has, has, has needed some major investments in my opinion.
I don't represent that community, but I do, I do love going down there and visit and eating great Portuguese food and having a good time down there. It's a very exciting time for that region. And the elected officials have done a great job down there and working, I'm sure with your group. Um and and the mayors across the region to uh it's gonna be an interesting couple of years ahead of time for that for that region.5958 So I'm happy to see that. So listen, Tony, thank you for your testimony.5961 Very much appreciated. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Um and uh none of my colleagues have any questions for Tony so I will move on to the next person to testify. Excuse me, Maria Morales, Maria Morales, you would be next.
Good evening. Good evening Maria. Um
MARIA JOSE MORALES - UNITED INTERFAITH ACTION OF NEW BEDFORD - My name is Maria Jose Morales. I am part and good evening to everyone. Sorry about that. I didn't see anyone before, I6002 can see everybody now. Um My name is Maria Jose Morales. I am part of um United Interfaith Action in New Bedford, where I have been working for over 10 years with the immigrant community um of Mexico and Central America. I wanted to be part of this hearing to support the proposal to reduce the number of state representatives from 5 to 3 in the city of New Bedford for a more unified representation of New Bedford among our state legislators. This is important to me personally because Uh pardon the redundancy, because as someone who came to this country and became a citizen over 40 years ago, I still fight for my voice to be heard.
And I worked with a community of immigrants in New Bedford who fight for their voice to be heard each day. As the districts are currently drawn districts nine and 10 section of an extremely small portion of New Bedford community and put them into very large districts with Dartmouth in District nine and with large district in Fairhaven, Mattapoisett Marion and Rochester in district 10. The voices of New Bed for residents are not going to be heard when you split them apart among five different districts, especially when you put such small sections of the New Bedford into the surrounding larger affluent urban District nine pain are majority white and affluent. The few 1000 new bed for residents mixed into District nine and 10 represent a very different demographic and are vastly outnumber.
It's natural that the state representatives to represent District nine and 10 as they are currently constructed, are going to more readily respond to the needs and views of the surrounding suburbs that make up the majority of their districts with the current political climate that is often anti immigrant and speaking as an immigrant from Nicaragua, I can say we immigrants do not feel anyone is fighting for us. Our tendency is to hide rather than speak up. Even as an educated immigrant woman, I am still reluctant to vote in a district that is majority white. I feel my needs will not be heard and I do not count who will listen to me. I need to feel unified with people who have my same needs.
I need to know. My representative will fight for me and represent people like me, who worry about housing, who worry about good paying6180 jobs, who worry about health care, who worry about immigrant rights, who worry about equality in education for all our students. Can you6193 compare the needs with all due respect? The needs of New Bedford High School with Marion High School? Are the needs of a resident in Rochester the same as the needs of an immigrant in New Bedford. Please keep New Bedford together to give it voting power, reduce the number of state representative districts from6214 5 to 3 unite New Bedford, split it into smaller sections with the larger affluent suburbs, giving immigrants and all of us who are under represented as a voice. Give us a fair chance. Thank you very much everyone.
M MORAN - Thank you Maria. Uh, well said, um, and we hear we hear you. Um, there's a, there's a theme here tonight of uh, on the house districts to try and consolidate them as best we can. So we hear what you're saying. And uh, and it is duly noted. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
So, um, I would ask my colleagues, does anybody have any questions for Maria?
Uh, hearing none. I will move on to the next person testify. Thank you Maria, enjoy the6262 rest of your night. Um lee Marie Lopez, Lopez. Ley Marie Lopez
is next. Oh, I see you there.
Hi, can you hear me? I just want to make sure we can hear you.
LEIMARY LLOPIZ - YWCA - Thank you so much. Good evening, resigning committee chair Senator William Brownsberger and Representative Mike Moran as well as other members of the community. I'm Leimary Llopiz the advocacy assistant at the YWCA Southeastern Mass and the president of new Benefit. I am honored to offer this testimony on behalf of the YWCA restricting, throwing the political power of presence of color, new citizens, youth and working class of New Bedford. Our organization works hard every day to eliminate racism and Empire Woman as we provide workshops, education, outreach and other support in our community. I have been able to facilitate our girls exclusive6322 after school and summer programs for girls ages 10 to 14 at or in elementary school and proverb.
This allows the girls to grow academically socially emotionally while learning skills as they work together as a team to problem solve. We created a virtual space where we could discuss the challenges that remote learning and the challenges of having to learn in environments, an environment that want school settings. This gave the girl the skills6351 and confidence. They needed to focus on how to cope with the barriers they face in isolated. With working at the YWCA I have seen challenges, especially families of color struggle because they don't have the money to access food on menstrual products. The more I help, the more the negroes, the voices they need to be heard and they are need participation, reducing the number of state House districts in New Bedford will create districts that are racially equal, full and a true representation of the diversity of the president's in the community.
We need to work together and restrict and will bring us closer and give us the strength in numbers, the fight for people of color, new citizens, you've and the working class. Now we have the opportunity to expand on the programs in in forever and help so many more families as we work towards eliminating racism, empowering women, girls and promoting peace, justice, freedom and didn't leave for all. You will help6409 them advocate for their needs and use their voice. However, his advocacy work will be easier by putting part river into one district along with the benefit in the past being separated. Didn't work, but now we have6422 the ability to make the change needed to place people that will not only discuss change, be the change needed. Now, thank you for your time in your camera conservation. Thank you so much.
SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you louis Marie very, very, very well said. Um, let me ask my colleagues. I have no questions for her. Anybody else have a question for her hearing? None. Thank you for your testimony. Uh, next is, I'm not gonna say this one correctly, but I'm gonna give it my best shot uh, to Sagrario Guerrero
cigar. Oh6459 Guerrero,
I can see you and you are. Yeah.
SAGRARIO GUERRERO - CONCERNED CITIZEN - Good afternoon everybody. Today I want honor the immigration population, I want to say. Um, the large population in the girl law, girl of most um, is um, The 10s immigrant group in the Greater Boston. The first one is from china Dominican Republic, Indian Haiti, Brazil Salvador Vietnam. Um, can Canada Guatemala. Cape Verde. And today I want to testify the HB 5565 act. This is act is for all the students receive the same, the same education quality education for all students and a special student with the special Neil s special needs and now in all the commonwealth thank you so much for the time. I feel very happy and emotionally participate today. Thank you so much. Bye bye SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
john mute chairman I got you, I got you, thank you very much for your testimony and very well said and thank you for taking time out of your schedule to join us and have your voice heard. Um next I would like to call up Maria Lopez, Maria Lopez.
Hi can you hear me? I can what do you have to tell us Maria?
MARIA CORTES LOPEZ - CONCERNED CITIZEN - Hi my name is Maria Cortes Lopez. I am 23 years old. I am a usa citizen. Was born in this country along with my four other brothers who are also born in this country. My mom raised us all in New Bedford. We live you know and we still currently live here. I live in the 10th house state district ward for Eve Representative Strauss my neighborhood is almost completely um you know people of color, many Hispanics like me. I do go to Bristol community college and will be graduating next spring. My plans is to transfer for To a four year university to become a psychologist and then open up my own office to become my own boss. My favorite restaurant here in New Bedford is the Delicias De Anita which is located in the downtown area.
I love the Salvadorian Guatemalan food. The owners themselves are central Americans. My favorite beaches for Tabor and my favorite part is Buttonwood by the zoo, both in rep Cabral’s district. I grew up in New Bedford. I became aware of the beautiful diversity of my city. We have thousands of people of color, Hispanic African Americans, Kevorkian's and much more. Lots of people are also Portuguese. Yet the way our state house reps looks like does6678 not represent our city. They are all white men, no women, no person of color. And I think that has to change. Our state House district are designed for white men to win. No one who looks like me can win a race for the House district in New Bedford because my community, the community of color6696 has been divided into five districts where the majority are white people.
If I or someone like me where to run against Rep Straus we would have no chance because the majority are are white people from pre haven matter poison in other towns. I'm here asking you to stop the delusion of the vote to vote the um color in the city. Give us districts where the through residents of New Bedford can run for office, went and represent us at the state house. I am a registered voter, and I look forward to casting my ballot for a member6729 of my community next year in the statehouse election. It's time for my community, you know, to make a change and it's time for us, you know, to be able to to win. And I just wanna say thank you6741 to all for letting me speak here.
M MORAN - Thank you Maria again, I just again, I just feel I need to just give people some information. 10 years ago, um when we committed to drawing majority minority districts, um we drew uh 10 more than we currently had, so6761 we went from 10 majority minority,6763 We went from 10 majority minority6766 House text to 20 majority, minority House takes districts. And um I can assure you that there was no Area of the map, including New Bedford, where there was an opportunity to draw a majority minority district where we didn't. Now, that is not to say that over the last 10 years, that population hasn't shifted or changed. And if it has one of the charges of of of of our committee on the House side is to make sure that uh that that if that if that in fact change has happened that make sure we correct for it. So uh you have that as a charge of the House uh and something we have committed to6805 doing so As we did 10 years ago. So I thank you for your testimony. Uh Maria. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Uh and I would ask my colleagues, does anyone have a question for me, Maria? Mr Chairman? Yes. Senator Brownsburg. How are you?
Yes, I wanted to jump in and first of all apologize to the members of the public who have testified so far that I wasn't able to hear their testimony in person. I have had my staff on the call throughout and I also wanted6835 to thank you Mr Chairman for taking the lead in this hearing and holding things together in my absence. I am I am online now though. Thank you very much.
Okay, now Senator, you want to take over from here. You want me to continue. Oh, it's it's just believe this was use the chair, but I'm happy to take over. Why don't you keep going? I think you got you got it under control.
All right, good. Okay. Excellent. I wasn't sure if it was mine of yours. So No, no. I believe this was yours.
I believe you're alright. Okay. Um Okay. Next to testify would be Shane Burgo. Bur geo Shane burgo.
Oh, hey Shane. How are you? Hi. Good. Just wanted to make sure I was all set here.
SHANE BURGO - CONCERNED CITIZEN - Good evening. Thank you to the committee chairs, Senator Brownsberger and Representative moran, as well as other members of the committee for hosting this public hearing. My name is Shane Burgo and I'm a lifelong resident of New Bedford Massachusetts. Specifically, New Bedford's Award four, which falls within the 13th Bristol District. I'm the affirmative action officer of the New Bedford Democratic City Committee. The education chair of the New Bedford branch of the NAACP, A Leader from United Enterprise Action of Southeastern Massachusetts. A member of6917 the Coalition for Social Justice and many other community group. At today's hearing, I want to discuss the demographic makeup of New Bedford and how it relates to the surrounding areas that fall within our state district.
Specifically, our eighth, 9th, 10th, 11th and 13th Bristol District. New Bedford currently falls within all five of those districts. And my hope is that you will consolidate our diverse areas and hopefully create more representative districts with less dilution of minority votes. By moving New Bedford's6947 ward three precinct A, D, E, and F. and ward four precinct D. and E away from Bristol 10th district and into Bristol's 11th district and moving New Bedford's ward three precinct E from Bristol's night district into Bristol's 13th district. These changes would remove the representatives from the ninth and 10th Bristol districts out of New Bedford and allow them to focus on the differing socio economic needs of their other areas. Such as Dartmouth and parts of Fairhaven Marion Mattapoisett in Rochester.
This way, you've effort is split less and more representative for the minority populations currently within the predominantly white district. These precincts in New Bedford also have a minimal demographic relationship to Bristol's 9th and 10th istricts and would be better suited in Bristol's 11th and 13th district. It's because of these6999 issues that I have been7000 as politically involved as I am. I mentioned during my previous testimony to this committee on July 19 that I had the honor of serving our 9th congressional district as a delegate for Joe Biden to the Democratic National Convention. My initial reason for running came out of a need to be a voice for our use and black indigenous people of color that are often ignored or7020 silence, especially on the national level. I spoke about the difficulties of campaigning for that position due to the divide and fall rivers congressional districts and the dilution of our political power within our minority voting blog.
I mentioned this again because I think about7035 the potential for young black indigenous people of color attempting7038 to run for public office here at the state level and the roadblocks they would face from the current setup of our district. I urge this committee to stop the dilution of our political power and help. He's one of the many causes of voter disengagement. If voters specifically voters of color and even youth and working class voters are in a predominantly white district where their vote will not make as much of an impact. These voters are likely to not turn out to vote at all. Do not miss this opportunity to adjust our state districts and enhance the voting power for the residents of New7072 Bedford by consolidating our city within the following three Bristol district. The eighth, The 11th and 13th Bristol District. Thank you for your time and consideration.
M MORAN - Thank you Shane. Shane. You probably are well aware given the fact that you are Uh work with the NAACP that both 10 years ago and this time around. They are part of the drawing Democracy Coalition, a group that we are working hand in hand with to try and alleviate and solve some of those problems. And 10 years ago when we do these house districts, these congressional districts, in the Senate districts, um you know, we got to sign off from all of those groups, the NAACP and others. So, so there was there was no intent and I don't think there was any.
It didn't occur on that. I know it didn't occur7119 on the map 10 years ago where there was any dilution of a minority group. Uh, to the, to the extent that they could not represent or vote for a person of that choice. That same commitment is7131 given again this time and we are going to be working with the NAACP and have been working with NAACP in the drawing coalition to make sure that um, none of that occurs again this time around. So, um, that is a commitment that we've given them. Uh, I think if you um are active in the NAACP, you you you probably know that already. So I appreciate your testimony. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Um, let me um, ask my colleagues if there is any questions. Uh, it would be more than happy to entertain any questions for my colleagues for Shane.
STRAUS - If I could mr chair, I apologize again. I I only want to put information out there. Uh, and I really do respect the testimony. I say this as a former counsel for the NAACP. Branch in New Bedford, which was one of the first in the country. Uh, and the notion that the towns to the east and west of New Bedford7191 have no community connection to New Bedford is, I just want to point out some of the history and for the benefit of everyone who may be watching. Uh And for instance, the Cape Verdean population, the history and the whaling industry is clear the whaling ships themselves for for the most part built in Mattapoisett Harbor, came around around Sconochini neck over and and then left uh for whaling uh efforts out of New Bedford Harbor.
But parts of the population, the Cape Verdean population that settled in the Bedford area and also in Rochester, uh worked throughout Plymouth County in the in the cranberry box. The economic ties and history of the communities are clear with New Bedford. Uh And so as the chair has pointed out, uh no effort was made 10 years ago. No effort would be made again to ever dilute minority interests where, where the population reflects that, but the community interest is clear. Uh land based industry and the ocean going efforts that this area is looked to for the last couple of 100 years. So, Fairhaven, I know it's been described as an affluent community. People might be surprised to hear that who, who lived there. It's uh firmly middle class, the same of Mattapoisett Marion and Rochester.
These are part of the broad uh New Bedford area community that has one other witnesses said, extends all the way to the Rhode island border. Uh so, uh the diversity of the population is well reflected in all the towns in the region. Uh Despite, you know, some of the suggestions I think we've heard tonight, I fully understand the points that are being made, but I'm confident, certainly with the experience of both chairs, the requirements with uh if anything, an overemphasis on representing communities that have not had voices in the past will be reflected in the process that the committee will be undertaking. I appreciate. Mr. Chair your indulgence. The members of the committee as well. Thank you.
SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you. Representative Strauss um7346 Any of the members have any questions or comments?
Okay, hearing none. Thank you Shane. Uh Next is uh7354 Renee Ledbetter, Renee Ledbetter money. Money. Good evening. Good evening.
RENEE LEDBETTER - NEW BEDFORD SHANNON PROGRAM - Um Well, first I want to say that I7368 know that everybody has been probably saying the same things. I'm going to say about what I'm gonna do is I'm gonna share who I am in my experience. Um and my7378 opinion on how the redistricting makes a difference in our community. So again, my name is Renee Ledbetter. I7388 am a mother of five children. I am a black woman. I am the director of the New Bedford Shannon program. A leader in the United States Action of Southeastern Massachusetts. I am a7401 member of our lady's assumption church, the first puberty in church in North America. I am to liberty in as well as native American. I am the vice president of the NAACP. New Bedford branch. I was born and raised in the reference but at a young age I lost my mother and I was moved in with relative in Dartmouth.
So my wife became split between both these places. From this experience, I saw the perspective of two places which are right next to each other but could not be further apart in their reality between the buffered indictment. The landscapes are different. The languages you hear your spoken on the street different. The housing is different. The financial security of the residents are different. The places of employment are different, the school system are very different and the overall daily cares and concerns of the people are different between these two places. What I learned growing up invoking of effort and Dartmouth is basically that a majority of underserved and underrepresented community is right next to a community that can afford to command a lot of political and economic power.
I mean, how can state Representative Representative district be designed to serve both of these7482 distinct places and populations equally well, particularly the ninth and 10th representative districts that are split between very small portions of New Bedford combined with entire communities of Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Marion and Rochester As someone who is proud to call you back home. I'm proud to be a Dartmouth graduate. I work with some of the most vulnerable populations and can say our community is struggling, whether it's the challenges of COVID violent housing stability, substance abuse or employment. And as a community advocate and organizer, I can say it makes it's difficult when you have five state representatives to attempt to bring them all together to discuss the issues that matter the most.
It is especially difficult when parts of our community are in districts with much larger suburban communities and the majority of some of our representatives, constituents lie outside of our urban district and do not share the same need and makes the fight for our community to be heard and to be healed all more challenging. As the director of the new definition and outreach program, there was a clear need to advocate the juvenile justice system that is transformative programs like mine can be the difference between life and death for our youth each day in our community and we have had several incidents of violence in our communities within the past year. Our program, like so many others, we can use the support from our state representatives.
I know that we've had several um visit and support from7584 representative Cabral and representative Hendricks and Smith. Um but if the representatives7590 are not as familiar with that area or the situations are happening, it's very challenging to convey the need in a way that will result in a change at the state and local level. I am here to support the reduction of new record state representative district from 5 to 3 and to consolidate those districts so that they represent mostly our community and to not split our district with larger suburban area. We're already splitting up in this way. Our state representatives can better understand our community, they can better focus on our city and we as community advocates and organizers can better focus on our work.
To transform our people for true liberation. And as I stated in the beginning as a black female, it's easy for me to see the racial inequities. It's easy for me to see the racial disparities. I am a victim of it. Well, actually a survivor of it. I'm not gonna consider myself victim. I have five children that I have raised in this community that have suffered a lot of racial disparities. So it's easy for someone who's not of that race to say there aren't any when you haven't experienced that, I respect and appreciate everyone's opinion. I want to thank chairman Moran. And so and the senator and all of you that are on the panel now um for listening and understanding our perspective as the community. Thank you.
SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you Renee. Um we hear the same theme coming from you and I think uh it's come across loud and clear. Um and it is duly noted. Thank you very much for your testimony. My colleagues have any questions for her name,
Okay, Hearing none. We will call our next person to testify, Renee, have a good night, enjoy what's left of it. Um Gilbert Guzman, Gilbert, Guzman.
Gilbert. You are?
Mhm.
Gilbert, I can see you. I just can't hear7737 you. Yeah,
Can you hear me now? Yeah, we got you. Gilbert. Yes,
GILBERT GUZMAN - CONCERNED CITIZEN - My name is Gilbert Guzman. I'm a resident in before. I'm I graduated from Bristol Community College and Bridgewater State University. And I would like just to say that we should instead of Fi district, we should go to Through this tree where we can get the right represent representation for the citizens in New Bedford and all the minorities that are living in the city since the population has grown since I moved here in 1996 from New Jersey. And I would like for you to consider that in a special manner. Thank you. And I don't have too many words to say, but that's what I would like to for you to consider two from 5 to 3 and district and to have the right representation. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Gilbert. Thank you Again. We're hearing that pretty consistently tonight and I appreciate your comments. Um So why don't we just uh since we've heard that from a number of people. I don't think there's much any questions that would need to be asked. So, I'm just gonna forgo the question section and uh and move to author Double Day Arthur double day. Are7844 you are you out there? Can we hear what you have to say?
Author. It says author hardy double day.
Mhm.
Having a little technical difficulty with author. Um
Oh,
author. I can now see you. Okay, sorry about that. Don't worry about uh, we're all dealing with technical technological challenges. All right. All right, so how are you having a good afternoon? You have to tell us.Good afternoon.
ARTHUR HARDY DOUBLEDAY - NAACP - Um I come from Martha’s Vineyard, I'm the president of the NAACP Branch of Martha’s Vineyard. And I would implore you to keep our our state rep district the way it is. We have a lot in common with the island of Nantucket and what's coal and that. We all use the steamship, which has its issues. And we need strong advocacy at State House to address those issues. As you know, the steamship suffered from ransomware attack. And it's had issues with being on7949 time. And we need we need a strong state rep whose constituents uh, frequently used the steamship to advocate on our behalf. Okay, that's it awesome.
SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you author. That was very consistent and concise. Uh, we've heard that from a few people tonight, uh, the islands and how7970 they want to remain unified. So that is duly noted and we hear it loud and clear. Um, so I would just ask my colleague, does anyone have any questions for authors?
Okay. Seeing none and hearing none. Thank you Arthur for your testimony. Get back to that Beautiful Island. Okay. Thank you. All right. Uh, David. Oliva. David. Oliva would be next.
I see you up there, David. I just can't see you on my screen yet.
Yeah.
You are David. Yes.8017 Yeah. Mhm. Yeah. Hi, my name is Jocelyn and8023 I will be translated for David. Our liver.
Good afternoon. My name is David. Are live, I live in hope fully street with three seats.
No, not so well, I miss you.
Yeah.
Uh, Hey, David.
Yes. Uh when i started this the number is divisible and deliver
mm The number w Haran, Dahlia Bebo and Laki Holy street. There'll be scenario trace say be representantes Henry. Thank you Katarzyna onions. They'll be wearing new effort mi casa Herradura there they'll anywhere high school yeah or a studio and le Bristol communities colleague Uh the central than you were four. Yeah. Mineta historian, la vocational high schools media traveling market basket. So the west Okumura and different in the street. Does soil organisms order movimiento. Cosecha and welfare because such a sumo immune to pro immigrant cal lucha por ganar rispetto, dignitary protection permanent para inmigrantes, Metro momento esta
matter movement is timeless tenure recorded center miembros toes given you Welford algunos giving and super angle the treat of the Cabral otra believing and north and all the street of the Henry you trust giving along the street us the law representatives a Strauss the market para para mi familia amigos in me and through the movimiento. Cosecha told us to as soon as solar community,
Castillo de Bolivia and single the street does can affect in Nitra powder political. Yes. Teriyaki, pork vaquero. El bien8143 estar para mi familia community and amy grant in general baroness otras told me well for as soon as Solar Common it'll sorry um I hope it will be in a star Demi familia amigos the member of the movimiento. Cosecha cannot be and single representantes de vivienda, laura Sydell um okay, a poor romano's on the street. Oh donde la Mayoria. Some person is immigrant community. Don't the pajama Betar or don't represent into the nicer appropriate8173 community. But I also then they can be our own limited the ST Alice's parents money re Carlos, you know, but I started with videos.
DAVID ROLANDO OLIVA - CONCERNED CITIZEN - Good afternoon. My name is David Oliva. I live in Holly Street.8189 Word receive my represented Israel and Republican HendricksI have been living in New Bedford for 14 years. My daughter graduated from New Bedford High School and is now studying at Bristol community College, downtown New Bedford. My grand, my grandchildren study and vocational high school. My daughter8207 works in market basket. All this happens in different districts. I'm the organizer of the harvest movement in the Bedford conceptual harvest and a pro immigrant movement that fights to gain respect, dignity and permanent protection for immigrants. Our movement in the city has around 60 members. They all live in New Bedford, some live in South end of Cabral district.
Others live up north end a Hendricks District and others live in the district of Representatives, Straus and Markey But my first family before my family, friends and members of the Harvest Movement all this is a single community that has been divided into five districts of flat top our political power. I am here because I want the well being for my family and the immigrant community in general. For us, all of New Bed for is one community. It would be better for the well being of my family, friends and members of the opposition movement if there were not five representatives dividing the city and we want at least one district where the majority and are immigrants. People live like me, where we can vote for representatives from our own community. For this to happen, you must change the district boundaries. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
I see us David. Um, I have no questions. Uh, does any of my colleagues have any questions for David? And we will do our very best with the translator that we have?
I will just say if you could translate this to David, um, that we have heard from many people in New Bedford advocating for a similar thing and we hear exactly what you're saying.
Everything has to attend you. Yes, Thank you. Sure.
She thank you. All right. Thank you. Would8336 you be able to translate that for him, please? We we hear we hear what you're saying. And a number of people have said8342 that to us at this hearing and we hear what he's saying loud and clear. Did you mind translating that to him? I will. Thank you very much. All right, well, listen, that's the last person to testify, David. We're ending with you, um, uh, because we have no more people on the list to testify.
M MORAN - So, uh, that being the case, um, I just want to add one more thing uh, since this is our last hearing, if there is anybody who wishes to testify further, even though we have no hearings, they can do so on the masslegislature.gov/redistricting website. We are always taking testimony, they're both video and written. Um And this is the last, as I said earlier hearing on the listening portion of of this process. Uh We are hopefully going to get um the the data sometime in august, they are going to give us some data and then the official data comes out sometime in september And we're hoping to have this wrapped up and signed by the governor by November eight. Um Thank you again to my staff in my office um and the staff and Senator Brown's Berger's office and the people at LIS. For putting together these uh hearings. In total, we've done 19, we did eight that are language specific for eight different languages that where English wasn't their first language. We have tried our very best to outreach and listen to as many people as we possibly could in this process. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
So um given that there's no one to testify, I would take a motion to adjourn if one of my colleagues can
I get a 2nd 2nd. Okay. Thank you all very much uh enjoy what's left of the evening and um I will see, hopefully see you all soon. Thank you very much. Thank you. Mr. Chairman. Good to see everybody. Thanks. Thank you. Thanks mike.8473
Good night.
Mm.
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