GOP Redistricting Commissioner Lorna Finman called for everyone to take a step back. She noted that she and Democratic Commissioner Julie Kane are close to agreement on North Idaho legislative district lines, and there seem to be just a few districts in southeastern and southwestern Idaho where the other commissioners are clashing. "In effect, we probably are all agreeing on 30 out of the 35 districts, and the handful left are obviously real sore spots." Finman made her fellow commissioners an offer: "I do believe that Commissioner Kane and I are very close to an agreement on the north." If they can conclude that, the two of them would be willing, she said, to serve as intermediaries to help the other commissioners work out their remaining sore points. "We've had a good, positive dialogue that's been open and reasonable, and if we can ... support our other colleagues ... still hopefully we can leave with something everyone can feel good about." She noted, "We're very, very close, obviously, to this falling apart."

Commissioner George Moses was skeptical, saying he and Commissioner Lou Esposito have more than a handful of districts in dispute in Ada County alone. Commissioner Evan Frasure said he wasn't done entering into the record the partial maps he released yesterday; the commission has now taken a brief recess to allow the staff to get all the details of those ready for submission. During the break, Kane said  she's with Finman - she's willing to help mediate. Co-Chairman Allen Andersen smiled and indicated he liked the idea, saying it would "get all of the testosterone out of it." Esposito said, "If that's what it takes, I'm all for it."

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