FRANKFORT — The weather outside Friday was snowy and frigid but the rhetoric inside the Capitol was pretty heated Thursday afternoon.

House Democrats pushed through a redistricting plan, something required every 10 years by the U.S. Constitution. It’s an inherently political exercise, and Democrats placed nine incumbents — all but one Republicans — in districts with other incumbents. Their plan divides 28 counties, six more than the 22 which must be divided because their populations exceed the average size of state House districts.

There are oddly shaped districts. Republican Danny Ford of Mount Vernon described his new district as “a horseshoe with a leash.” It meanders from Madison County through Rockcastle County then along a razor-thin strip in Pulaski to pick up Casey County. Republican Marie Rader of McKee may want to shop for a light plane — her new district runs from Jackson County through a narrow corridor in Laurel and picks up all of McCreary County on the Tennessee border. Myron Dossett of Pembroke in Christian County complained his house is now in a different district than his mailbox.

Republicans are considering a court challenge, especially Rep. Joe Fischer of Fort Thomas who successfully filed a similar suit in 1990s. That ruling declared the legislature must divide the fewest number of counties “possible.” Fischer offered a Republican alternative Thursday which would have split only two counties beyond the minimum 22. It also combined four incumbents. It stood no chance of passing and Republicans knew it.

Democratic Speaker Greg Stumbo said his plan can withstand judicial scrutiny and divides no more counties than is “politically possible.” “Nothing done in this bill is done with intent or malice,” Stumbo declared.  

Unpersuaded, Rep. Jill York of Grayson said the plan was devised by “the political machine (which) runs on games and seems more interested in fiefdom building than service to the people.” Rep. Bob DeWeese of Louisville said the plan “disenfranchises” voters who chose their representatives, some of whom won’t be back in after the next election.

But House Republicans can’t rely on members of their own party in the Republican controlled Senate for help — no more than the minority Democrats in the Senate expect assistance from Stumbo and House Democrats. The “gentleman’s agreement” is that the House draws its districts while the Senate draws its lines, each without objection or interference from the other. Everyone expects Senate President David Williams to place some Democratic incumbents in the same districts. Democratic Senators Robin Webb of Grayson and Walter Blevins of Morehead are counting on it and there are other possibilities, including Dorsey Ridley of Henderson and Jerry Rhoads of Madisonville.

There are rumors the Republicans may renumber districts as well as redraw them. That could force some Democrats to run for re-election two years earlier than planned —and on a ballot topped by President Barack Obama who isn’t too popular in Kentucky. Or it might allow a Republican senator due to be on the ballot this year to get an extra two years before facing voters, though there is disagreement about whether that is constitutional.

So if you’re shocked by House Democrats’ political motives you’re going to love the Republican Senate plan too.

Meanwhile, if you’re waiting on a bill to expand gambling or one to reform the tax reform or insights into Kentucky’s next budget, you may have to wait a bit longer. Gov. Steve Beshear promised a gambling amendment in the first week of the session and two have come and gone without one.

Not much will happen and the atmosphere inside the Capitol won’t improve much until redistricting is settled.

RONNIE ELLIS writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. Reach him at rellis@cnhi.com. Follow CNHI News Service stories on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cnhifrankfort.