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AFSCME Creates Partnership for Redistricting Fights |
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Calling the 2003 GOP Texas redistricting plan a “Republican power grab” that “redrew Texas congressional districts for pure partisan gain,” AFSCME President Gerald McEntee cited the move as an example of why Democrats need help preparing for the congressional redistricting fights that will occur in a few short years.
To provide that aid, McEntee announced creation of the Foundation for the Future, a new 527 group AFSCME is creating in partnership with the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee and NCEC Services Inc. (527s are a tax-exempt group organized under section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code to raise money for political activities, including voter mobilization efforts and issue advocacy.)
Writing on Huffington Post, McEntee, president of the 1.4 million union of local, county and state employees, says:
The stakes are high. Over the next decade, 36 state legislatures will determine congressional district maps—and of these, 20 have at least one chamber within four seats of changing hands.
Legislators serving in these 20 states will have the opportunity to wield tremendous influence. They will map the outlines of 195 congressional districts. A flip of about 50 state legislative seats in key chambers could mean a gain of up to 15 Democratic seats in Congress.
Creation of the Foundation for the Future follows approval of a sweeping new political action and organizing plan, the 21st Century Initiative, approved two weeks ago, by 3,500 delegates to AFSCME’s convention in Chicago. The initiative includes creating a 40,000-member army of volunteers to register 90 percent of AFSCME members to vote and turn out on Election Day and signing up 25 percent of the union’s members to each give $100 or more annually to the union’s PEOPLE political action committee.
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