Bieter to redistricting panel: Keep Boise whole

At the first public hearing on redistricting this evening, Boise Mayor Dave Bieter was the first to testify. “Our request is that you keep cities whole in this process,” Bieter told the Idaho citizen redistricting commission. “I do believe that will be a consistent thing that you hear across the state, but on behalf of our city, I am making this request.” He distributed copies of a resolution from the City Council, and said the local Chamber of Commerce also is backing the city’s request. “There is significant precedent for keeping cities whole, and we would ask on behalf of the city of Boise that you do that,” Bieter said.

Boise long has been split between the 1st and 2nd congressional districts, but population shifts would allow it to be all in one or the other now, depending on how the plan is drawn. Tonight’s hearing is being streamed live here .