Maybe the Town of Norton's well-publicized school funding problems and the fact that the town is split into three separate state representative districts are purely coincidental. Maybe.

But the watering down of the town's political power at the Statehouse is not the kind of thing that breeds confidence that the town's needs get a lot of attention when funding formulas are determined.

Norton is far from alone in its questionable treatment by those who carve up political districts. Welcome to Massachusetts, where the process of making oddly shaped districts to keep them safe for favored politicians was named, if not invented. These so-called gerrymanders do not breed confidence that local needs across the state are treated equitably.

The Legislature, alas, is in no hurry to break the gerrymander habit. Facing a proposal to put a referendum on the ballot to see if voters want to create an independent commission to draw up legislative districts, the Legislature last week decided to postpone action.

We share the anger expressed by state Rep. John Lepper, R-Attleboro. As he pointed out, an independent commission would take the politics out of redistricting and that would be a positive step toward restoring faith in the system. What the Legislature did allow is a ballot question which would allow anyone to vote by absentee ballot. While we welcome this potential reform, it comes with the feeling that the electorate has been thrown a small fish, while the big one of a political independent redistricting commission has been allowed to swim away.

Voters would do well to remind their lawmakers that they are watching them. Lepper deserves a show of support for his stand on the issue. Many others need to be told to do better.