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Committee considers removing five-year cap on Burlington ward redistricting in favor of census-based trigger
Summary
The Government Operations Committee reviewed H.508, which would let Burlington redraw ward lines between decennial censuses using Census Bureau data or a population trigger (commonly a 10% deviation) and keep voter approval of proposed maps while removing the need for legislative action on each change.
On Wednesday, Feb. 18, the Legislature’s Government Operations Committee discussed H.508, a Burlington charter amendment that would let the city adjust ward boundaries between decennial censuses using U.S. Census Bureau data or another population-based trigger rather than requiring a full charter change and separate legislative approval each time.
City Attorney Jessica Brown, joined by assistant city attorney Eric Ramakrishnan, told the committee that rapid housing growth in parts of Burlington motivates the change. "Housing is a big issue in Burlington right now," Brown said, explaining the proposal would permit the city, with voter approval of proposed maps, to rebalance wards if ongoing Census Bureau estimates indicate significant population shifts.
Tucker Anderson, legislative counsel, told the committee the draft bill "has no articulated trigger in the…
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