Because of population growth, the state was getting two new seats. Reapportionment genius Phil Burton redrew the map so dramatically and in such a partisan manner that the new 45-member delegation contained 28 Democrats and 17 Republicans, a swing of 10 seats just in California. Republicans rightly fear it can happen here again now that California has 52 congressional seats and may get two more. Here's where changing the rules comes in. Outraged by Burton's diabolically clever maps, Republicans in the 1980s went to the ballot four times with initiatives to take reapportionment out of the hands of politicians and give it to a panel of nonpartisan judges.
Reapportionment is abstract and hard to explain.
Now the Republicans are back with yet another reapportionment reform initiative for the March 2000 ballot. It would also dramatically cut the per diem allowance they receive for expenses while the Legislature is in session, and it would freeze these totals unless raised by a statewide vote of the people. The 24 members of the California Republican congressional delegation in Washington, led by senior Republican Bill Thomas, R-Bakersfield, back the plan unanimously. The 15 Republicans in the state Senate, whose pay and benefits would be slashed, oppose the initiative unanimously. This is the best job that most people up here have ever had.