Mayor Barrett vetoes proposed district maps, asks council to consider effect on Hispanic residents

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has vetoed district maps approved by the Common Council.

Latino groups and politicians had earlier called on Barrett to veto those maps, saying they dilute representation for the city's growing Hispanic population.

The map currently approved by the Common Council has two Latino-majority districts.

But leaders of the Latino community say population growth on the city's south side means a third Latino majority district may be established.

"We urge the Common Council to now work with the community, to work with the Hispanic community to create a fair map that provides fair representation and that acknowledges the contributions our community is making to the city," said Darryl Morin, president of Forward Latino.

In a statement, Mayor Barrett said "The Hispanic population is growing in Milwaukee and we have an obligation to reflect that growth in the aldermanic districts. The trends are clear and the district boundaries we set today will remain in place for 10 more years."

The full Common Council will consider the mayor's veto at its next meeting, scheduled for Dec. 14.