NASHVILLE (AP) — Members of the Legislative Black Caucus on Tuesday raised concerns about what they called a lack of input in redistricting discussions in the Republican-controlled General Assembly and said they are preparing for legal action if that doesn't change.
Democratic Rep. G.A. Hardaway of Memphis said at a news conference in a legislative hearing room that that he can't envision a "fair plan without involving the Tennessee Black Caucus."
"If we can't resolve our issues legislatively, we are prepared to pursue legal recourse," he said.
Republican House Speaker Beth Harwell of Nashville in a statement called the redistricting plan a work in progress and said those efforts should be "allowed to continue without the threat of a lawsuit."
"It is our hope that the House concepts will be ready at the beginning of session for subcommittee and then continue through the process," she said. "At which time we will have a full and open dialogue."
Rep. Karen Camper, a fellow Memphis Democrat, said attorneys and experts with groups like the NAACP should be brought in before the plan is completed to help avoid potential problems.
"It may not even be a planned disenfranchisement, but if it results in that you need to have a plan ready," said Camper, D-Memphis.
Rep. Johnnie Turner, D-Memphis, said several members have been shown their individual plans for how their districts might change, but none has seen the proposals for regional or statewide redistricting.
Republican Gov. Bill Haslam told reporters after an event at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis that redistricting is the responsibly of a separate branch of government.
"It's actually totally the Legislature's decision how redistricting works so I haven't been involved in that," he said. "My sense is that typically whatever party is in power the other one says 'You're not giving us enough of a voice here.'"
Haslam said his impression has been that "there has been a decent amount of interplay between the two parties" on the process.