Secretary of State Jon Husted has been both the House Speaker and a Senator. He says lame duck sessions always have lawmakers keeping score over which chamber is getting credit for what bills. But he’s hoping for a deal on redistricting.
“The Senate President’s leadership really matters on this. The Speaker’s leadership really matters on this, because right now, I know from my experience that nerves are pretty raw between the two bodies.”
Resolutions in the House and Senate both have seven elected officials drawing the maps, but they differ in how they would resolve partisan disputes over the maps. Husted says he’s been on the phone calling lawmakers on both sides to urge them to keep talking and come to an agreement before session ends – and the resolutions both die.