Republican SB 148 Redistricting Bill Splits Milwaukee's Hispanic Community Into Two Assembly Districts

State Representative JoCasta Zamarripa

Governor Scott Walker called to veto partisan Senate Bill 148.

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 26, 2011

Milwaukee- On Monday, State Representative JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milw.) during the Nfoque Latino Spanish Radio show at WJTI 1460 AM said, the Redistricting Senate Bill 148 (SB 148) passed by the Republican controlled legislature splits the Hispanic community into two Districts. Zamarripa said, the heart of the Latino community and the Cesar E. Chavez Drive Business District will be split in half, if Governor Scott Walker signs the bill into law. Zamarripa has called on Walker to veto the bill publically, but neither Zamarripa or the Democratic leadership in the legislature have made any effort to meet with Walker to convince him to do so.
Republicans in the state legislature decided to split the Latino community along S. Chavez Drive. The East side of Chavez Dr. will become the 9th Assembly District and the West side of the street will become the 8th Assembly District. Zamarripa, an Hispanic lives within the 8th District.
In 2012, the new redistricting maps are expected to take effect. The state redistricting bill creates a Hispanic voting-age majority population with 54% from the current 22.9% in the 9th Assembly District and the 8th Assembly District was cut to 60% of Hispanic voting-age majority. The Republicans cut Zamarripa's majority and created the two Districts. Zamarripa said, they could have added a 68% to 70% Hispanic majority to the 8th District, but didn't.
The Republican state redistricting process only held one hearing, withheld the maps from the public and Democrats until a week before they were approved. They disenfranchised the Latino community from actually participatiing in the process by not providing more time to challenge the plan and rushing to approve their redistricting plan. The Republican process was viewed as a power grab before the recall elections on August 9. Six Senate Republicans are being recall.
SB 148, if signed into law by Governor Walker will automatically void the Milwaukee Common Council approval of two majority Hispanic voting-age Districts, including the two proposed Hispanic majority Districts by the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors Special Redistricting Committee.
The state Republicans did not take into account the redistricting efforts by the city and county government officials. The state redistricting process usually takes into account the way local governments draw their district lines, according to the U.S. Census totals every ten years in voting-age populations and the growth of minority populations. The local governments also abide by the Federal Voting Act of 1965, affording minority populations majority Districts.
Zamarripa said, that a federal lawsuit to challenge the state Republican SB 148 will most likely be filed by members of the Latino community, if Walker signs the bill. By creating two Hispanic Districts, it decreases the Latino voting-age population instead of securing a higher majority percentage District as required under the Voting Act.
In June, Democrats had filed a federal lawsuit claiming Republican legislators illegally cut Districts. They amended the lawsuit claiming the state redistricting maps were unconstitutional and violated the Voting Rights Act.
The newly approved Republican SB 148 maps also shows at least six Assembly seats, instead of seven seats for the African-American community and multiple Native American tribes were split into two Districts, which the tribes were within one District each.
Governor Walker on Monday signed a bill allowing the state legislature to draw redistricting maps before the local and county governments draw them.

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Wisconsin State Representative Zamarripa Called On Governor Walker To Veto Partisan Redistricting SB 148 Bill

Partisan state redistricting bill prevents the Hispanic community from getting more than one majority voting-age District.

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 21, 2011
(Updated)

Madison - On Wednesday, State Representative JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milw.) called on Governor Scott Walker (R) to veto partisan redistricting Senate Bill 148 (SB 148), which the Republican controlled legislature passed. The bill creates majority Republican Districts and disenfranchised the Hispanic community in the state by preventing more than one majority Latino voting-age Districts.
If Governor Walker signs SB 148 into law, Democrats and members of the Hispanic community are planning to file additional federal lawsuits claiming the Republicans violated the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965. In June, Democrats had filed a federal lawsuit claiming Republican legislators illegally cut Districts. They amended the lawsuit claiming the state redistricting maps were unconstitutional and violated the Voting Rights Act.
The newly approved Republican SB 148 maps shows at least six Assembly seats, instead of seven seats for the African-American community and multiple Native American tribes were split into two Districts, which the tribes were within one District each.
Every ten years, legislators and public officials have to redraw District lines to meet the voting-age of the population growth recorded by the U.S. Census. Minorities would have to be given the opportunity to have majority Districts. The newly approved redistricting maps take effect on 2012.
The City of Milwaukee recently approved two majority Hispanic voting-age Districts, which were the 8th and 12th Aldermanic Districts. With the SB 148 passage, the Milwaukee Common Council would have to scrap the two Hispanic Districts and might only get to approve one, if Governor Walker signs the bill into law.
Last week, Governor Walker was quoted in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he is now willing to work with Democrats in the legislature. Walker is expecting a recall once he completes one year in office for ending bargaining collective rights for most state employees and cutting $800 million of aid from the state public schools system.
In a press release, Representative Zamarripa blasted the process that the GOP employed to rush the bill through the Legislature. "Seven days ago only one hearing was held on this massive plan that impacts every single citizen of our great state," said Zamarripa, "The GOP leadership allowed virtually no public input and passed this plan through both houses of the Legislature only one week after the public hearing."
Zamarripa expressed outrage that the Latino community in Milwaukee was cut out of the process. "In order to satisfy their own thirst for a partisan monopoly, the majority party has thrown Wisconsin’s growing Latino community under the bus," said Zamarripa.
"On Saturday, it was reported in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Governor Walker wanted to work with Democrats," said Zamarripa. "A veto of the blatantly partisan SB 148 is an excellent starting point, if the Governor is serious about working with Democrats."
In other state legislature news, the Wisconsin Republican State Assembly adopted an amendment to prevent people from getting unemployment benefits in the 1st week they are unemployed. On Thursday, the Assembly bill was passed with the amendment and then it was stalled in the Senate.
On Tuesday, the Senate voted 30-3 to rejected holding one week from those unemployed and passed their version of the unemployment bill.
Both the Senate and Assembly passed slightly different versions of the bill, which automatically stops the bill from moving forward. The bills have to be compatiable before the extended benefits bill for the unemployed is passed. The Senate will take up the issue once again next week.

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Democrats Introduced SB 137 Making Employers Ineligible For Tax Exemptions For Hiring Illegals In Wisconsin

State Senator Dave Hansen

Senate Bill 137 prevents employment for illegals by businesses seeking state contracts and loans.

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 1, 2011

Madison - On Friday, Wisconsin State Representative JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milw.) blasted state Senate Democrats for introducing Senate Bill 137 this past week, which keeps state funds, contracts, loans and grants from employers who hire undocumented immigrants. The bill also provides penalties, including a $10,000 fine for each illegal worker hired and it was introduced in the Labor, Public Safety and Urban Affairs Senate committee. SB 137 is similar to 2009 Senate Bill 600 that failed to be taken up by the Senate in the last session.
The current Senate Bill 137 is favored by the Union Teamster Local 39 and the Wisconsin State Council of Carpenters, according to souces. SB 137 is sponsored by five State Senate Democrats, Dave Hansen (Author), Robert Wirch, Jon Erpenbach, Jim Holperin and Tim Carpenter and one State Representative Tony Staskunas (D) (Co-author).
Zamarripa in a press release criticized the introduction of SB 137 by Democratic legislators. SB 137 seeks to make companies that hire persons who are not legally in the United States ineligible for certain tax exemptions, governmental contracts, grants, and loans.
Zamarripa likened the divisiveness of SB 137 to the recently introduced Assembly Bill 173 (AB 173) by GOP Representative Don Pridemore. “AB 173, the Arizona copycat bill, and SB 137 only address a small portion of the complex issues surrounding immigration reform,” stated Zamarripa.
SB 137, if passed might withstand a federal legal challenge, but AB 173, if passed could be challenged and major provisions could be blocked by a federal court as it has in Arizona and other states, which passed similar bills.

Copy of SB 137 (PDF) at link: http://bit.ly/jGdHHG

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Zamarripa, Democrat Elected Wisconsin State Assembly Representative, Republicans Gained Control Of Legislature

JoCasta Zamarripa

Republicans gained control of the Wisconsin governors seat, the state legislature and U.S. Senate seat in midterm elections 2010.

By H. Nelson Goodson
November 3, 2010

Milwaukee - On Tuesday, JoCasta Zamarripa, 34, (Dem.) of Milwaukee was elected state representative of the Wisconsin 8th Assembly District with 4,287 votes, 86% with 100% Precints reporting. Zamarripa defeated Ramona Rivas (Indp.) who received 678 votes, 14% of the vote. Zamarripa became the first Latina to be elected to the state assembly and will be sworn to office in January. 
Zamarripa a Democrat from the predominately Hispanic community South side of Milwaukee will be working with a Republican majority assembly, which gained 25 Republican seats.
In other races, Ron Johnson, (Rep.) was elected U.S. Senator with 1,107,360 votes, 52%, with 98% of Precints reporting, defeating Russ Feingold (Dem.) who received 1,005,480 votes, 47%. Feingold was the incumbent U.S. Senator for 18 years in the Senate.
Scott Walker (Rep.) was elected Governor of Wisconsin with 1,101,554 votes, 52%, 97% Precints reporting, defeating Tom Barrett (Dem.) with 986,627 votes, 47% of the vote. Walker was also celebrating his birthday on election day. Without a college degree, Walker joins several governors in the U.S. without degrees. He will become the 45th governor of Wisconsin on January 3.
J.B. Van Hollen (Rep.) was re-elected Wisconsin Attorney General.
Wisconsin voters decided they wanted change and Republicans were able to gain enough seats to control both the state assembly and senate. It was a major defeat for Democrats in Wisconsin.
In the South side of Milwaukee, Latinos on Tuesday came out in large numbers, more than 4,960 voted. Latinos became a voting and political empowerment block. In Nevada, U.S. Senator Harry Reid (Dem.) was re-elected and drew 2-1 of the Hispanic vote giving him the election. Reid defeated Sharron Angle (Rep.), an extreme conservative who avoided the mainstream media. More Latinos voted in the Nevada midterm election than in 2008.
In Congress, Republicans were able to take control of the U.S. House of Representatives by controlling 243 seats and  Democrats with 192 seats. Majority is 218 seats of 435 seats. Republicans gained control of the House. The Republicans have won at least 60 seats in the House, making it the largest takeover in 60 years for Republicans. Exit polls indicated the major issue was the economy and that Democrats hadn't acted fast enough to fix it. But, Democrats take credit for preventing a catestrophic depression, according to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Dem.).
With Republicans in control of the House, immigration reform, and the DREAM Act will be difficult to gain support by newly elected Republicans who ran anti-immigrant campaigns. The re-election of Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (Rep.) in Wisconsin, who is well known for his anti-immigrant stance will most likely reignite the push for immigration enforcement nationally with the Republican controlled House. Sensenbrenner's 2006 failed push to criminalize anyone that aided an undocument immigrant caused a major backlash from Democrats and Latinos nationally costing Republicans to lose control of both the House and U.S. Senate in Congress. Sensenbrenner will most likely influence Wisconsin's Republican control legislature and governorship to enforce immigration laws for the next two years. Walker, the newly Republican elected Governor of Wisconsin has vowed to sign a similar Arizona SB 1070, if passed by the legislature. Although, the Arizona SB 1070 has been challenged by the U.S. Department of Justice and key portions of the state law have been blocked by a federal judge pending the outcome of the case. SB 1070 allowed Arizona state and police to require proof of legal status in the U.S. from people they suspect are illegally in the country during investigations or traffic stops.
In the U.S. Senate, Democrats maintained 51 seats, including 2 Independent seats, which side with Democrats and Republicans with 46 seats. Republicans gained 6 seats. Majority is 51 seats of 100 seats. Democrats maintained control of the U.S. Senate.
Republicans hold 26 governor seats, including Wisconsin and Democrats 14 seats, including California where Jerry Brown (Dem.) defeated Meg Witman (Rep.) and 9 state governorships still undecided.
President Barack H. Obama addressed the nation on Wednesday from the White House, for full speech and video click at following linked: http://bit.ly/cPsdWq

PEW Hispanic Center reports:

The Latino Vote in the 2010 Elections http://bit.ly/bch1NH

Latinos and the 2010 Elections: Strong Support for Democrats; Weak Voter Motivation http://bit.ly/bBsHFI

Editors note:

Have to love America and Democracy, despite the Republicans gaining control of the House, the Latino vote was crucial in Democrats maintaining control of the U.S. Senate. There are 19 million eligible Hispanic voters in the U.S. On Tuesday, we showed America we are a voting and political empowerment block. Republicans have to break down their barriers and begin working in issues affecting Latinos today as well as Democrats. Every Latino vote counts regardless for who you voted for in the end. We are all Americans and one country. ;)

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Manriquez Launches Write-in Campaign In Wisconsin's 8th Assembly District

Laura Manriquez

JoCasta Zamarripa

Manriquez continues her quest to challenge JoCasta Zamarripa the Democratic nominee for November 2nd General Election.

By H. Nelson Goodson
October 29, 2010

Milwaukee – On Friday in an unexpected twist in the South side predominately democratic Hispanic district, Laura Manriquez held a press conference to announce her last minute write-in campaign in front of her home at 2224 S. 7th Street. The general election is four days away on Tuesday, November 2nd and Manriquez decision at the last minute to launch a write-in campaign will likely push for a slow start, securing JoCasta Zamarripa the Democratic nominee the election victory. 
In September's Primary Election, Zamarripa won the Democratic nomination with 755 votes, with 53% of the vote; defeating Manriquez, who received 238 votes, with 16% of the votes cast in the 8th Assembly District. Since the Primary Election, Zamarripa has been non-stop knocking on doors and campaigning to secure her election this coming Tuesday.
In the 8th Assembly District, about 75,000 people reside in the area, more than 12,000 people are registered to vote. But in any given election, especially in a primary at least between 1,000 to 1,500 actually vote, a slightly higher voter turn out during general elections and even a higher turnout in U.S. Presidential elections depending on the political party and candidate.
With Manriquez decision to run as a last minute write-in candidate and Ramona Rivas who is on the ballot for Tuesday's election as an Independent, Zamarripa as the Democrat nominee is seen as the next elected state representative for the South side district.
On Wednesday, the Hispanic News Network U.S.A. polled at least 2,000 eligible voters in the South side, which 1,965 indicated they will cast their votes for Democrats on November 2. If in fact, these voters head to the polls and vote for Democrats as they indicated, Manriquez and Rivas who is running as an Independent candidate will mostly likely not even get close to beating Zamarripa on Tuesday.
Manriquez supporting her decision to run again stated through a press release, Zamarripa is the poster child for special interest politics which has embedded its influences within the election outcomes of our 8th Assembly District.
The voters of our community are being bamboozled by special interest propaganda which does not focus on issues important to our community.
In addition, with Zamarripa as state representative, the special interest politics of Planned Parenthood could become the leading issues during Zamarripa’s tenure as state representative in the 8th Assembly; disregarding the fact that many residents of the 8th Assembly do not agree with the politics of Planned Parenthood. Manriquez is concerned that JoCasta’s tenure would come at the expense of our neighbors in our 8th Assembly District.
Manriquez said that in the primary as candidate for the 8th Assembly, she had to put her campaign on hold for a number of weeks to clean up a false report published about her by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She has since worked to repair the damage caused by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article to her integrity, and because of the overwhelming encouragement she received from voters, she is pursuing a write-in campaign.
“Because the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published an article that misidentified me during this campaign, which caused me to spend much of my time repairing the damage to my credibility and because I believe many of our neighbors oppose special interest groups influencing our community politics, I have decided to represent our neighbors by mobilizing a write-in campaign so that their concerns, and not the pocketbook needs of Planned Parenthood and other special interest groups Zamarripa is beholding too, is heard”, said Manriquez.

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Zamarripa Takes Primary Election As Democrat In Wisconsin 8th Assembly District

From (L-R) Shelle Michalak, Joanna Bauter, Candidate JoCasta Zamarripa, Raisa Koltun and Vanessa Llanas posed after their victory celebration in securing the Democratic nomination for the 8th Assembly District in Wisconsin. Photo by HNG

JoCasta moves on to General Election as Democrat nominee and faces Independent challenger

By H. Nelson Goodson
September 14, 2010

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Tuesday, South side voters in the 8th State Assembly District selected JoCasta Zamarripa, 34, as the Democrat nominee for the November 2nd General Election. Zamarripa beat two other candidates in the Primary Election, Laura Manriquez and Angel Sanchez, a former one term 12th District Alderman. Sanchez was elected in 2000 as Alderman making him the first Latino in the Common Council.
Elections results, Zamarripa, 755 votes, with 53% of the vote; Manriquez, 238 votes, with 16% of the vote; and Sanchez, 443 votes, with 31% of the vote, with 25 of 25 precints - 100% reporting.
Zamarripa will face Ramona Rivas, who is running as an Independent candidate in a Democrat district. 
The South side 8th Assembly District is predominately Hispanic.
Zamarripa as a Democrat will replace State Representative Pedro Colón who decided not to seek re-election after serving 12 years in office. Colón was the first Latino elected in the State Assembly. He has been appointed Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge for the 18th Branch by Governor Jim Doyle. He will be sworn in on September 20th and the term expires on July 31, 2011.
Zamarripa will become the first Latina Democrat to serve as a State Representative, if elected in November.
So far in 2010, Democrats control the State Assembly with Democrats holding 54 seats, Republicans with 46 seats and 1 Independent.

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