Texas Redistricting - Senate [PASSES!] new redistricting !!!

The Dallas Morning News | October 12, 2003 | The Dallas Morning News Staff

[MeekOneGOP]

Texas Redistricting - Senate set to vote and pass new map

Excerpt from THIS THREAD:

AUSTIN - The Texas House approved a sweeping government reorganization measure Sunday, acquiescing to Senate terms for giving final approval to a congressional redistricting map.

The House approved the measure by a 79-35 vote, then adjourned the third special session.

Final passage of the Republican-backed redistricting map now rests with the Senate.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst previously said the Senate would not approve the map until the House passed the unrelated bill intended to reorganize state government.

"I'm personally ready to call their bluff in the Senate," said Rep. Terry Keel, R-Austin, arguing against the government reorganization bill.

The Senate was scheduled to convene at 6 p.m.

Dewhurst said senators can only vote on redistricting Sunday, not filibuster, because he has closed down debate.

[MissAmericanPie]

Thanks for the news Meek, this calls for merriment, strong drink, and feasting on the slaughtered goat.=o)

[Dog Gone]

Do you know the particulars of the map? Does it get rid of Frost and Doggett for sure?

The only way either of those two guys could win would be to move to a new district. Even then, they'd either have to beat out a minority candidate, generally the incumbent.

The Republicans could not have done a better job in making it virtually impossible for either of these two nasty liberals to stay in Congress.

[MeekOneGOP]

I see clear sailing through the courts. Hope so, anyway ! ...

[MeekOneGOP]

Well, I don't know about Fraser, but it seems that Ratliff was opposed to Redistricting from the very beginning.

The 'RATS controlled it for 130 years. I would think that most GOP would have been glad to have the opportunity to made the calls now. I guess he didn't feel that way ...

[Teacher317]

What is the current balance in the House? Isn't it around 223-212? With this change, does that make it 228-207?

[MeekOneGOP]

hehe ! It's a happy week for the GOP. In a five day period the GOP made a successful Recall in California and replaced dimwit Davis with a GOP, AND redistricted about FIVE 'RATS out of commission here in Texas.

Good reason to celebrate alright ! :O)

[Teacher317]

Oops! It is 229-205-1 right now... A swing of 6 would make it 235-199-1. Nice.

60% of 435 is 261. Got a long way to go (although 60% is far more important for the Senate).

[MeekOneGOP]

I see your note on #228 also. I wasn't certain of the exact number, but you are in the ball park.

I think realistically, we have added five. It's a good thing !! ...

[lormand]

Bump!

Thanks for the ping

[MeekOneGOP]

I doubt this will be clear sailing through the courts. I'm not an expert in redistricting litigation, but I have some friends who are. They pretty much say that defending it in the courts is going to be pretty hard.

While we might not have too much trouble in terms of minority opportunity districts (which stay pretty much the same), we are gonna have a VRA challenge under the 'communities of interest' aspect of the VRA.

So what is with the GOP claims that the new map adds 2 more minority districts ?? Is that not true ??

I am not up on the technical aspects, so I'm not sure what the 'communities of interest' aspect of Voter Rights is all about.

We split up rural communities of interest like crazy and attached all the rural areas to suburbs. That's going to be our biggest challenge in the courts.

Aren't the maps currently pretty much like that now ?? I'm not saying you're wrong. I'm not sure, period.

[deport]

An example of taking rural areas and making them subservant to the burbs can be found in the new districts of #2 and #8... The 9th was split and made a part of the 2nd and 14th....... both of those now will be majority Houston dominated.....

Much of the rural area from the old 2nd was assigned to the 8th which will be controlled population wise by the area north of Houston up in the Woodlands/Conroe region.

That was part of Ratliff's complaint from the beginning. It was taking his rural district and placing it under the dominance of the burbs surrounding Dallas....

The "Community of Interest" argument will be interesting to follow... It seems to have gotten more play this time in redistricting nationwide... do a google and you'll get many articles.....

However the bottom line is the burbs are where the population growth is occurring so it will be hard to have just rural aligned districts.....

[MeekOneGOP]

Oh. I think I see what you're saying now. Thanks.

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks !

[MeekOneGOP]

While I'm thinking about it, here is a list of selected links for Texas Redistricing ...

FR Search: Keyword "Redistricting"

10-12-2003
Texas Redistricting - Senate [PASSES!] new redistricting !!!

10-10-2003
GOP's legislative map up for vote

10-09-2003
Texas Redistricting map now online
(link is in thread)

10-09-2003
Democrats in Congress unhappy with Redistricting
(Goodbye, Martin Frost)

10-08-2003
Texas Reaches Redistricting Agreement

09-19-2003
The Communist Party Is Alive and Well -
Cheering Democrat Legislators On MoveOn.Org

09-12-2003
Federal Judges Dismiss ALL Claims of Democratic Senators
(Texas 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.

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 !!

09-09-2003
Governor Calls 3rd Special Session (Texas Redistricting)

09-09-2003
Dems to return to Texas

09-03-2003
Standoff may crumble - Whitmire returns;
Perry weighs 3rd special session (Chicken Run)

08-26-2003
Senators urge Perry to back off -
Poll: 62% of Texans opposed to 'RATS bolting to New Mexico

08-26-2003
MoveOn.org Aiding Fugitive Texas Democrats (Update!)

08-25-2003
Costs for Democrat exiles may hit $400,000 -
MoveOn.org, DNC, Texas 'RAT Party raise funds for them

08-21-2003
MoveOn.Org Supporting the Texas Chicken D's -
Letter from Senator Rodney Ellis

This was written by Freeper Congressman Billybob ...

08-18-2003
"Texans for Sale or Rent"

[To the Roger Miller tune, Trailers for sale or rent] ...

Texans for sale or rent / Having our room service sent / Lounging ‘round by the pools / Playing our whole state for fools ....

We know every lawyer in every court / And all of their partners, and all of their torts / And every hangout, in every town/ And every lock that ain't locked when no one's around ....

Texans for sale or rent ....

With my apologies to the good Freepers and lawyers here. No offense intended ...

And that article is a LOT more than that little song parody, too !

---

ATLA'S Logo:

I like my versions better !:

no offense intended toward good Freepers and lawyers ...

08-15-2003
Texas democrats. Radio interview with
Sen. Rodney Ellis, runaway senator.

This is one of the Texas Chicken D's holed up in Albuquerque, N.M. He calls the fines 'Poll Taxes' and RUDELY hogs the conversation with this radio show host, then HANGS UP on him !!

G-r-r-r-r-r !!

Audio:

Unbelievable Conversation with Senator Rodney Ellis
by Greg Knapp 08-13-2003
You’ve GOT to hear this to believe it ! (13 min., 47 sec)
http://rmeek141.home.comcast.net/GregKnapp-Interview-SenatorRodneyEllis-081303.mp3

08-15-2003
Runaway Democrats shun deadline, defy fines - 'RAT sign: 'Republican Poll Tax: Day 1 $1,000'

08-13-2003
Fleeing Texas Democrats face new probe

08-12-2003
AWOL senators face fines

08-04-2003
Demo senators strike note of defiance in maintaining holdout
(Chicken Run Official Song...)

Excerpt (Freeper comeback lyrics):
"The Killer D's of Texas"
Tune: "The Yellow Rose of Texas"
Words copyright 2003 SChad Fairbanks


Oh, the killer D's of Texas,
Are running away.
They don't act like real Texans,
so who needs 'em anyway.
They fled across the border,
to avoid a little fray.
And the killer D's of Texas
are afraid of Tom Delay.

8-4-2004
Van de Putte says she expects redistricting measure to pass
(Texas Van to Van de Putte Freep meeting)

08-04-2003
Walkout leader blasts Perry -
Democrat Van de Putte says governor's push for remap has been divisive

08-03-2003
Each side has its spin on redistricting standoff

08-03-2003
Dewhurst's reputation depends on 11 who fled

08-02-2003
Senators' letter asks Dewhurst for help --
Dems get diapers, `nasty' phone calls

07-31-2003
Dewhurst: I'm honoring tradition and precedent
(Article exposes ‘RAT Lies!!)
Congressional districts in Texas today are essentially those drawn by a partisan Legislature in 1991. At that time, a national publication called the Texas map the most outrageously gerrymandered redistricting effort in the nation, resulting in Democratic strength in our congressional delegation well beyond its representation among voters.

Our congressional lines are even more outdated today. When the Legislature failed to draw new lines to accommodate Texas' two new congressional seats in 2001, the job fell to a federal court. The judges made the fewest changes possible to the existing 1991 map, in essence protecting incumbents.

07-29-2003
Democrats bolt again – to New Mexico
(Senators trying to halt new special session on redistricting)

Link to pics of the 11 Democrat Senators that Obstructed Redistricting
(Post #4)

07-28-2003
Session ends as 11 Democrats slip out
(Dem's Flee state again!)

07-26-2003
GOP effort to redraw districts is crushed
[Texas redistricting]

07-24-2003
Democrats may be free to flee - constitutionally protected, says lawyer

07-24-2003
As new Texas redistricting map offered,
Dewhurst says compromise is in the air

07-23-2003
Committee passes redistricting bill (Texas)

07-23-2003
Texas Republican Senators Forge Ahead on Congressional Redistricting Plans

07-19-2003
[Texas] Senators talk of boycotting any redistricting session
Mr. Dewhurst said he would be on solid ground in working around the Senate tradition requiring a two-thirds vote to take up a bill. The late Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock, a Democrat, did the same thing in a 1992 special session on legislative redistricting, Mr. Dewhurst said.

07-18-2003
New map, same pain for Dems
(Texas Redistricting fun)

07-17-2003
New map surfacing in Texas Senate

07-16-2003
Dewhurst at crossroads on redistricting in Texas Senate

07-15-2003
Ratliff joins Democrats to oppose redistricting
The state Republican Party was quick to point out that the [2/3rd’s] rule has been abandoned on occasion – such as when the Senate took up a state senatorial redistricting plan in 1992.

07-09-2003
DROP IT -- Redistricting would benefit few Texans, harm many
(Editorial)

07-08-2003
Senators have problems with House redistricting map - Texas redistricting

07-08-2003
House passes remap
Veteran Democrats may lose seats if bill goes through Senate

Above article is worthy of showing that a picture indeed is worth a thousand words:
First the Chicken D’s run away to Ardmore, Oklahoma. That didn’t work, so here they are,
still having a fit during the Redistricting debate:

As King began his argument for the new congressional boundaries Monday afternoon, about 30 Democrats in the gallery donned white socks as hand puppets to mock King. Every time he spoke, the little white mouths flapped.

07-07-2003
TEXAS REDISTRICTING--Vote TONIGHT!

07-07-2003
Race rhetoric stokes Texas redistricting fire

07-07-2003
Tension may soar as map debate hits House floor - Texas redistricting

07-06-2003
House panel quickly passes Republican redistricting plan -
map likely to unseat six Democrats

07-04-2003
New GOP map restores (Rep. Martin Frost's) district

07-03-2003
Republicans pull proposed map - redistricting

07-03-2003
Chamber of Commerce and GI Forum Hire Temps to Testify

07-02-2003
The Great Texas Power Grab - redistricting

07-01-2003
Tx Democrats Trying Fight, Not Flight, Over Districts
(The-Terrific-Texan-Special-Session)

[Dog Gone]

As far as I know, no court has ever begun to give rural voters the same kinds of protections based on the Voting Rights Act as minority voters. I'm sure the Democrats intend to make that argument, though.

I think we're more vulnerable to the charge that the GOP might pick up 68% of the congressional seats while getting about 55% of the popular vote in the state. There's a lot of precedent allowing that, but I think we're vulnerable to charges of overreaching. The Pennsylvania case will tell us a lot.

[Dog Gone]

I don't recall the name of the case offhand, but you need look no further than the 1991 map in Texas, which was upheld even though it was the most partisan map in the country.

The US Supreme Court case which upheld partisan gerrymandering is Davis v. Bandemer (1986).

[GunRunner]

Yesssssssssssssssssss.