Wilson Picks Redistricting Panel : Politics: The governor says the commission’s plan could be enacted if he vetoes Legislature’s proposal.

Gov. Pete Wilson on Friday appointed a six-member bipartisan independent commission to draw new state legislative and congressional district lines if the Democratic-controlled Legislature fails to pass a plan to the governor’s liking.

The panel includes three Republicans and three Democrats; three are men and three are women. There are three Anglos, one black, one Latino and one Asian-American. Both Northern and Southern California are represented on the commission.

“All (members) have certain attributes in common,” Wilson said. “All are distinguished scholars. All are leaders in their fields, known for impartiality and a devotion to the truth.

“All have demonstrated a commitment to a greater public interest over narrow partisan interests. They also have their differences. They are a select group of men and women who reflect the diversity of California.”

He added that he consulted “with all kinds of people” representing both political parties to pick commission members and was turned down only a few times, because of scheduling conflicts.

The governor said the commission plan would serve as an alternative for consideration by the Supreme Court if he vetoes a redistricting plan passed by the Legislature.

“If the Legislature fails to enact fair and constitutional districts,” Wilson said, “the panel’s recommendations will be submitted to the judiciary to ensure fair districts are implemented in time for next year’s elections.”

He said the plan “must not dilute the votes of Californians by race, religion, national origin or political affiliation. It must not unnecessarily violate city and county geographic areas. It must not be an incumbent gerrymander.”

The commission will be headed by Dewitt Higgs of Chula Vista, 83, a Democrat and former chair of the University of California Board of Regents and the California State Bar.

Other members include Betty Barry-Deal of Alameda, 70, a Democrat and a former justice of the state Court of Appeal, and Donald Franson of Fresno, 65, a Republican and former appellate justice.

Also, Elwood Lui of Los Angeles, 50, a Republican and former justice of the Court of Appeal; Dr. Condoleeza Rice of Palo Alto, 36, a Republican and former special assistant to President Bush for security affairs, and Carlos M. Teran of Los Angeles, 75, a Democrat and a former Superior Court judge.

Reapportionment is a highly sensitive political issue that arises every 10 years when lawmakers are required to redraw district lines based on federal census population figures.

The majority party usually uses the process to its advantage to guarantee that its members either are assured of reelection or can seek higher office in favorable districts over the next decade.

At a Capitol news conference, the governor urged the commission to hold public hearings on its redistricting plan, but conceded it is not required to do so. “I encourage it (open hearings),” Wilson said.

He also contended that the Legislature would not redraw the district lines in public hearings. “I can guarantee you that,” he said.

Two citizen activist groups promptly criticized the lack of required public hearings in Wilson’s plan.

“All redistricting plans, regardless of the authors, should be compared and debated in public,” said Ruth Holton of Common Cause. “It’s an impressive panel, but it’s being paid for by public funds.

Margaret Herman of the League of Women Voters agreed, saying, “The commission should make the plan and documentation available to the public with sufficient time to critique it before submission.”

Wilson said commission expenses, which he estimated to be about $200,000, would be paid from money allocated to the executive branch. He added that the School of Administration at USC will provide administrative support.

The governor had asked the Legislature to submit its reapportionment plan to him by Sept. 3. But lawmakers are on summer recess and are not due to return to the Capitol until Aug. 19.

Democratic legislative leaders previously criticized Wilson for interfering in their affairs by moving into the redistricting arena.

But the governor said the lawmakers had failed several times in the recent past to come up with acceptable redistricting plans. “This time the process must work,” Wilson said. “We are trying to create an incentive for the Legislature.”