The California State Assembly Elections Committee hearing about Democrats' redistricting push in response to President Donald Trump and Republicans' efforts to pass new Congressional maps in Texas.
00:00Yeah, I got that. So why should lawmakers override the will of the people who have twice told us that they want to keep the redistricting in the hands of the people that we have here testifying that have given wonderful reasons why it should stay there?
00:13I appreciate the question, and I think it's an important one. We, once again, are asking the voters whether or not they want to approve this change. So this is not the legislature approving this change. This is the legislature putting on the ballot the opportunity for every California voter in 2025, whether or not this is a change that they approve.
00:37And I know it was jokingly mentioned earlier that my colleague and friend, Assemblymember Tongapa, was not able to vote on the original redistricting. I don't think that's a joke. I think it's a very important point.
00:49And the point is that since 2010, an estimated 3.6 million California voters have died, and there are 6 million more Californians registered to vote now than in 2010, including two very important voices in California, you two, Vice Chair Macedo and Assemblymember Tongapa.
01:09You did not have a voice in that decision. Over half of registered voters in California did not have a voice in that decision. And so what we are saying is let's give California voters in 2025, half of which weren't even registered voters in 2010, a chance to have their voice be heard. And I can think of nothing more democratic than doing that.
01:33So then why not a census to see who we have in California, who's registered to vote?
01:38We did a census, I believe, four years ago.
01:41Yes, yes. Thank you. Thank you. All right. We've deliberated on this measure.
01:45You have given other members plenty of time to speak.
01:47I don't go.
01:48Please.
01:48How many more questions do you have?
01:50Okay. What other questions do you have?
01:51Madam Chair, I have some more questions as well.
01:53We are done with the questions. We're going to try to wrap this up and put this to a vote.
01:59Macedo, please ask your final question.
02:02My final question? Madam Chair, I came prepared after you gave me 24 hours. All I'm asking for is a little bit of time. You let Mr. Berman speak twice.
02:15Would you like to ask your question or would you like to not? Would you like to ask your question?
02:19I would.
02:20I will absolutely ask my question. I'm sure these will be asked in the courtroom, but this is ridiculous.
02:25Governor Newsom himself said this proposal is about electing more Democrats.
02:30Isn't that the very definition of partisan gerrymandering voters sought to prevent?
02:36We are asking voters whether or not they want to have different criteria used in determining the congressional maps.
02:44And they'll be up to voters as to whether or not they want to say yes or no. That's the beauty of this.
02:49Madam Chair, may I proceed with my relevant questions?
02:52We have a motion and we have a second. We have deliberated this measure for several hours. We are calling this debate to conclusion.
03:04And with that, I will go ahead and allow the Assemblymember Berman.
03:10Excuse me. This is not the way we conduct our hearings.
03:13Well, because you're not answering my question.
03:15I have allowed you plenty of time to ask your questions.
03:18This is an urgency that is being moved through.
03:21I have allowed plenty of time for you to answer.
03:23Madam Chair, please.
03:23I have allowed you plenty of time to ask your questions.
03:26It took me a long time.
03:26I have allowed you plenty of time to ask your questions.
03:29As Assemblymember Berman, you may close.
03:32Madam Chair, please.
03:34There are so many more questions, but I am going to forego that.
03:38We do need to know, Madam Chair, we asked you.
03:41Mr. Berman, would you be willing to answer my questions that I have prepared?
03:43I am following the direction of the chair on how the committee hearing will proceed.
03:49Mr. Berman, can you explain to me how spending $250 million on the special election provides a greater public health benefit than constructing egress routes for our mountain communities?
03:59Okay, Mr. Tangipa, you have been asked to stop.
04:03We are done with the questions and the deliberation of this measure.
04:07The special election is more important than the California questions.
04:10Mr. Tangipa, you are out of order.
04:13When they are overwhelming.
04:14Mr. Tangipa, you are out of order.
04:17Mr. Berman, can you explain to me how spending $250 million on the special election.
04:20Madam Chair.
04:20Mr. Tangipa, you are out of order.
04:21Mr. Tangipa, you are out of order.
04:22Mr. Tangipa, you are out of order.
04:23Mr. Tangipa, you are out of order.
04:24Mr. Tangipa, you are out of order.
04:25Mr. Tangipa, you are out of order.
04:26Mr. Tangipa, you are out of order.
04:27Mr. Tangipa, you are out of order.
04:28Mr. Tangipa, you are out of order.
04:29Mr. Tangipa, you are out of order.
04:30Mr. Tangipa, you are out of order.
04:31Mr. Tangipa, you are out of order.
04:32Mr. Tangipa, you are out of order.
04:33Mr. Tangipa, you are out of order.
04:34Mr. Tangipa, you are out of order.
04:35This entire state, they deserve this.
06:36I understand.
06:37We call the question.
06:39We have a motion.
06:41We have a second.
06:42Madam Secretary, please call the motion.
06:44I care about the state of California and I think that we should too.
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