Malumphy Calls for Term Limits, Redistricting Reform
Malumphy Campaign On: 08:30PM / Thursday September 29, 2011
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Independent candidate Pam Malumphy on Wednesday announced her position on two key election reform issues affecting the 3rd Berkshire District as well as the entire Commonwealth:
1) Support for the creation of an independent commission to oversee future state legislative and congressional districts in Massachusetts.
2) Support for term limits on state representatives and state senators.
Malumphy stated, "As I have gone door-to-door across the city of Pittsfield, voters have told me that they feel disconnected from their government and that they lack public confidence in state government. As state representative I will support and propose legislation that reforms state government and makes it more accountable to the people of Massachusetts including the 3rd Berkshire District."
Malumphy called for legislation that would create an independent commission to focus on redistricting efforts rather than leaving it up to the legislature.
"The Legislature should not be the body responsible for creating voting districts…it becomes too political, a recent speaker of the House resigned and plead guilty to obstruction of justice because of his involvement in the redistricting process. To reduce this political influence many states such as Iowa, Minnesota, California and Ohio and others have instituted redistricting reforms such as independent commissions to do this important work."
Malumphy also issued her support for term limits of 12 years, which is six terms for both members of the House of Representatives and state Senate.
"I believe by placing these limits, we get more people to seek public office, we will get more contested races and we increase public trust in the state legislature."
With the last two Democratic state representatives vacating their seats, forcing expensive special elections, Malumphy said she is "determined to demonstrate that partisan politics and back room deals are not acceptable in Pittsfield or on Beacon Hill."
One of the legislative committee assignments Malumphy plans to ask for, if elected, are seats on the House Committee on Ethics or the Joint Committee on Elections Laws. She would also like a seat on the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business as well as the Joint Committee on Education.
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