The director of the the Independent Redistricting Commission decided today to hold off filing suit against the state -- at least for the time being.
On Thursday Ray Bladine said his agency is out of money and that the Legislature is legally required to provide funding. He said the commission would go to court today to force the issue. But Bladine said he spoke today with John Kavanagh, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, who assured him that lawmakers would approve at least some of the cash by Wednesday.
"So it sounded to me real and it sounded to me like good-faith efforts," said Bladine. "In spite of what some legislators say, we're not really happy to go out and spend money on litigation."
Bladine acknowledged he said the commission was out of cash. But he conceded that is only partly true.
"You know, sometimes when you do your own home budget you hold some bills back? I'm just not paying some bills," he said.
The legislation would provide about $700,000 for ongoing expenses. Bladine said that's needed but pointed out that he figures the commission needs $1.1 million to keep the doors open through the end of the year.