DeLay continues effort to end Texas redistricting squabble

Lubbock, TX, Avalanche-Journal ^ | 10-08-03 | AP

[Theodore R.]

DeLay continues effort to end Texas redistricting squabble Associated Press

AUSTIN (AP) — U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay was in the Texas Capitol for a second consecutive day Tuesday, attempting to broker an agreement between state lawmakers squabbling over a congressional redistricting map.

With Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, House Speaker Tom Craddick and Gov. Rick Perry out of town, DeLay and other lawmakers indicated that negotiators were making progress on a map that would put more Republicans in the Texas congressional delegation.

"We are very, very close," De Lay said, leaving a morning meeting in Dewhurst's office. "The lieutenant governor has laid out some very interesting maps and we're almost there." Texas Democrats have blamed DeLay for triggering the state's months-long redistricting attempt, which has been mar ked by three special sessions, two out-of-state boycotts and a deep partisan divide in the Legislature. Democrats have ended their walkouts for now, but Re publicans haven't been able to get beyond strife within their own party. Craddick, a Republican, has been adamant about ensuring that his home district in Midland has a congressional seat to represent the Permian Basin's oil and gas industry. But a separate seat in Midland could mean that the farming and agricultural region from Lubbock to Abilene would lose representation — a move opposed by Lubbock Republican Sen. Robert Duncan. The two chambers have rallied their respective stances, taking shots at each other and refusing to budge. The longer the battle rages, the more likely it appears that the March 2 primary in Texas will be delayed to ensure new congressional lines are incorporated on the next congressional ballot. To do that, the Legislature would have to vote to delay the primary, or change the filing dead lines. Before leaving the Capitol on Tuesday for an East Texas speaking engagement, Dewhurst said negotiators were with in one to two counties away from an agreement. "We're so close, we really ought to get a deal some time to day, this evening, early tomorrow morning," Dewhurst said. The Legislature is scheduled to meet again today. With Perry in New York touting Texas' economic development programs, DeLay said "a few details" on the map would have to wait until the governor returns to Austin. Craddick returned to the Capitol Tuesday afternoon and immediately met with DeLay. "I'm very, very encouraged," DeLay said. As DeLay trekked back and forth between the offices of Dewhurst, Perry and Craddick, Sen. Todd Staples, R-Palestine, a lead Senate negotiator, also said he was encouraged by recent talks. "I think we're very close to resolving the redistricting issue, but I've thought that we've been close for the last few days," Staples said. Staples said he expected to spend the afternoon meeting with Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, to ensure that both chambers have an agreement on the rest of the state when a West Texas compromise has been reached. "I'm very optimistic that we'll be able to conclude something today," Staples said. "But, today is a long day still in this process."

[mathluv]

I certainly hope they get this done.

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