Federal Judges Dismiss ALL Claims of Democratic Senators (Texas Redistricting)

Quorum Report ^ | 09.12.2003

[MeekOneGOP]

Yeeee ! Haaaa !

Thanks, Joe !

[Pilsner]

As you point out they can only consider the issues which the governor has placed on the agenda for a special session.

Any bill can be introduced and passed in a special session in Texas, however if the bill is outside of the call of the governor any member can kill it just by raising as a point of order that the bill is outside the governor's call. Given the acrimony of the last few months this point may soon be moot, as I don't see what will get the support of all 181 members of both houses.

[MeekOneGOP]

Federal Judges Dismiss ALL Claims of Democratic Senators

Excerpt:

A three-judge federal panel in West Texas on Friday dismissed a lawsuit filed by senate Democrats hoping to derail a new round of redistricting in Texas.

The Democrats argued that Senate rule changes by Republicans to further the redistricting effort violated federal law.

The judges, who listened to two hours of oral arguments Thursday in Laredo, dismissed those claims but withheld a decision on an amended complaint of threats to arrest Democrats and require them to pay fees for their failure to appear at a special legislative session on redistricting.

"The arrest issue likely will become moot," the judges wrote in their opinion. Democrats "fear of being coerced to appear at a legislative session is shifting to a fear of being prevented from appearing. For reasons discussed at the hearing, neither the facts nor the law on the issue of threatened monetary sanctions are sufficiently developed at this point to permit an informed decision. Moreover, it is possible that future developments could also moot this issue."

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[MeekOneGOP]

"The arrest issue likely will become moot," the judges wrote in their opinion. Democrats "fear of being coerced to appear at a legislative session is shifting to a fear of being prevented from appearing.

Translation: Dear 'RATS: Ya can't turn the issue on its' head and have it both ways. Report to work and do your jobs or pay the price for being absent !!

[MeekOneGOP]

zippity doo dah ! ...

[MeekOneGOP]

zippity doo dah ! ...

[MeekOneGOP]

zippity doo dah ! ...

[deport]

Any bill can be introduced and passed in a special session in Texas,

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How so? Not arguing just trying to understand.....

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks for the pings ! Just as I thought this would turn out. Happy Daze !

[VRWCTexan]

The truth is the lastest "re-draw" would, in fact, create one more Hispanic and one additional "Black" district.

The "white liberal" Democraps are really upset at the prospect of lossing their own seats (A__ __S)

[Theodore R.]

Actually, it is by no means certain that a GOP redistricting plan would remove these particular Democrats. The Democrats keep reminding us that it is Republican voters who keep the popular Stamford Democrat Stenholm in the House.

[Theodore R.]

Laredo is always listed as "South Texas," but it is as far west as Abilene, which is considered "West Texas."

[ChewedGum]

I expected this, but with the courts, you just never know. Great news! Now lets get this all done with.

Gum

[MeekOneGOP]

Yep ! Back to work on Monday for the Dirty 'RATS and everybody ...

[Bubba_Leroy]

Here is an example of what happens if you let a democRAT write a headline:

Ruling partly goes against Democrats

9/12/2003 5:00 PM
By: Associated Press

Austin-(AP) -- A three-judge federal panel today rejected a lawsuit filed by Democrats over Texas Senate rule changes related to congressional redistricting.

The Democrats claimed the changes by Republicans to further the redistricting effort violated federal law.

But the judges, who held a hearing yesterday in Laredo, dismissed those claims.

Eleven Texas Senate Democrats fled to Albuquerque, New Mexico, on July 28.

Two special sessions on redistricting went nowhere.

But Senator John Whitmire returned to Houston after Labor Day weekend, meaning the Senate could have a quorum.

Governor Rick Perry says a third special session on redistricting will start Monday.

Perry, during a stop today in Houston, denied that the bipartisan spirit had been contaminated by the scrap between Democrats and Republicans.

The governor says if the situation is poisoned, it's been poisoned by someone else, not on his side.

http://www.news24houston.com/content/headlines/?ArID=14653&SecID=2

So which part of the ruling goes for the democRATs?

[Txslady]

[Flyer]

An "If y'all haven't seen this yet" ping!

As always, a FReep mail will get you on or off this Houston topics ping list.

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[basil]

Man Alive!!! For once the good guys get a break!

[deport]

The judges, who listened to two hours of oral arguments Thursday in Laredo, dismissed those claims but withheld a decision on an amended complaint of threats to arrest Democrats and require them to pay fees for their failure to appear at a special legislative session on redistricting.

"The arrest issue likely will become moot," the judges wrote in their opinion. Democrats "fear of being coerced to appear at a legislative session is shifting to a fear of being prevented from appearing. For reasons discussed at the hearing, neither the facts nor the law on the issue of threatened monetary sanctions are sufficiently developed at this point to permit an informed decision. Moreover, it is possible that future developments could also moot this issue."