Letters: Prop. 50 is about preserving fair representation

"The vote on Proposition 50, which calls for temporary redistricting of congressional districts in California in response to Texas's redistricting, may be one of the most important votes we have ever had in California. We nine mayors all support Proposition 50. It is very unfortunate that we must temporarily change our fair districting system to get fair representation in our nation's Capitol. The best analogy for why this is necessary is something we could tell our children: If you were playing on a soccer team with 11 players, and the opposing team suddenly told you that they were adding five more players, but your team had to stay at 11, that wouldn't be fair. Texas' plan to add five more seats in the middle of a census cycle is doing exactly that. California's response is simple we are redistricting to balance the five new seats in Texas."

"To be fair, everyone must play by the same rules. When the Texas Legislature voted to gerrymander its congressional districts for partisan advantage, it changed the rules. California cannot afford to continue to bring a knife to a Texas gunfight. Everyone must play by the same rules. Vote yes on Proposition 50 to be fair. Richard DobersteinFremont"

"Many people across the United States and the world pay the cost of wildfires and storm surges, resulting in devastating losses. Shouldn't fossil fuel companies also help pay for the damaging consequences of increased emissions? The Polluters Pay Climate Fund Act is a bill currently in the U.S. House of Representatives. HR 1135 would get fossil fuel companies to establish"

Proposition 50 proposes temporary redistricting of California congressional districts to offset Texas adding five new seats mid-census, aiming to restore equitable representation in Congress. Nine mayors endorse Proposition 50 and use a soccer-team analogy to illustrate the imbalance created when one side adds players midgame. A separate appeal argues that fair play requires uniform rules and urges a yes vote on Proposition 50 to prevent partisan gerrymandering from dictating outcomes. Another letter supports the Polluters Pay Climate Fund Act (HR 1135) to require fossil fuel companies to contribute toward damages from wildfires and storm surges.

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