It’s probably a reflection of the overwhelming Democratic majorities in the House and Senate (or rather, a resignation to that fact), but the word on redistricting out of the House is all smiles and kumbayas.

Last time (as reflected on in this diary), it was a protracted, contentious process. Republicans had the House, Democrats had the Senate. Progressives were working with Dems, until GOP Speaker Freed made them a better deal for their support. Then, in conference committee, the Progs got squeezed out of their deal altogether and it came down to Rs and Ds. It was all very dramatic, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Different story this time around. Here’s from the Speaker’s press release:

Montpelier, VT- On Wednesday, the Vermont House of Representatives advanced a bill that redraws House districts to reflect changes in population as reported by the 2010 U.S. Census.  The redistricting bill-often known across the country as the most partisan bill of the decade for state legislatures-was approved on a bipartisan vote, 138-4.

[…] “We appreciate the effort of the majority leadership to work with us to obtain a reasonable solution to the redistricting puzzle that, although not perfect, meets many of the objectives our caucus set forth prior to beginning this process,” said House Minority Leader Don Turner. “This plan keeps towns whole and provides most Vermonters an opportunity for fair representation in the Vermont House of Representatives.”

[…]”Today, we watched the legislative process at its best. The committee faced a formidable challenge and answered it swiftly and with an undeniable sense of fairness. If only Washington would follow our lead,” concluded Progressive Leader Chris Pearson.

The Senate will take a little longer, and may get more… interesting – but not that much. And of course, the tri-partisan Legislative Apportionment Board (in which we were treated to a flashback of the Republican-Prog alliance), is proving to be an irrelevance, as predicted.

The final redistricting bill will show up nearer the end of the session.