Texas Republican Senators Forge Ahead on Congressional Redistricting Plans

Lubock, TX, Avalanche-Journal | 07-23-03 | AP

[Theodore R.]

Republican senators forge ahead on redistricting plans Associated Press

AUSTIN (AP) — Republicans with high hopes of taking over the Texas delegation in the U.S. House seem to be giving up hope on redrawing congressional lines — at least for the seven days remaining in the current special legislative session.

With 12 state senators vowing to vote against any redistricting measure, a required two-thirds majority needed to debate the issue would likely not be achieved this session, no matter what variation of the map emerges.

"I am not optimistic at this point that something will happen" this session, said Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, chairman of the Senate Jurisprudence Committee, charged with drafting a map for the Senate to consider.

Still, the committee is forging ahead with its selection of a map that would put more Texas Republicans in Washington. The committee met again Tuesday to listen to testimony on proposed maps.

The push to redistrict could get new life if GOP Gov. Rick Perry decides to call yet another special session on the matter, as is widely expected. Perry continues to say he would like to get the job done in this session.

"If not, then obviously it is an option to immediately call another session to address this issue," Perry said. "This is an important issue to the leadership and, I think, to the people of the state."

Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has indicated that, in the event of another session, he would lift a Senate rule that requires a two-thirds vote, rather than a simple majority, to consider legislation. Republicans say in some past sessions the rule hasn't been in place.

Lifting that rule would all but guarantee enough votes for the 31-member body to adopt congressional redistricting, assuming a majority of the senators stick around for round three.

But Democratic senators say they are weighing their options, including a boycott of the Senate, if a 30-day special session is called and Dewhurst does away with the rule.

When a redistricting plan faced state representatives during the regular session, 51 House Democrats fled to Oklahoma, breaking a quorum and effectively killing the redistricting bill. Democratic House members have said the measure's fate now rests in the Senate.

This time, at least 11 senators would have to stay away until the end of the 30-day special session to block a quorum.

The GOP, pushed by U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, is trying to change the 17-15 advantage Democrats now hold in the Texas congressional delegation. They say the current makeup does not accurately reflect the state's Republican-leaning voting trends.

The House approved a map earlier this month, but a number of senators of both parties opposed the House plan. Some senators since have been working on their own version.

[Theodore R.]

Can the Democrats boycott a second special session and prevent business? Is there a 2/3 requirement for a quorum in a special session? If so, I look for Democrats in both chambers to flee TX entirely.

[El Laton Caliente]

That would be a good thing, but only if they stayed out...

;^)

[ken5050]

Bingo..but now, especially since in the past the Dems have waived the rule...they'll merely look obstructionist....The GOP has them boxed in...

[goldstategop]

Call another session and tell the Democrats and RINO game's up.

[grapeape]

Just declare that it is a staate of emergency and pass so much conservative legislation that they will never see the light of day ever again. I have been bitching about Ratcliff and how he needs to be destroyed completly. No one has done anything about it. There are options for us to take. It just seems like our elected officials do not want to take them.

[w_over_w]

A brief study of Texas history would reveal that during the Lincoln Administration, Texas lawmakers (Democrats) wanted to set up a state government that could prevent Republican influence. To do this they needed to set up a government "that could be prevented from working". Wow, the vision has become a reality.

[Theodore R.]

Apparently, the media has painted the "Ardmore Democrats" as "heroes." I hope the GOP does not "chicken out," as it has done in the past.

[w_over_w]

Apparently, the media has painted the "Ardmore Democrats" as "heroes".

Don't get me started with the media . . . after reading Ann Coulter's "Slander", I was just sickened by how they distort and deceive.

[Arrowhead1952]

Can the democrats boycott a second special session and prevent business? We had the local news on during lunch, and a democrat senator from Houston said "They would probably leave and prevent any legislation from being discussed" Any questions about their agenda?

[deport]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/951375/posts?
Committee passes redistricting bill


Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick said Tuesday that he expects Gov. Rick Perry to summon lawmakers back into special session next week, and he predicted quick action on a new congressional map.

"We'll go back into session on Tuesday for a second special session and will wind up passing a congressional redistricting plan," Mr. Craddick told delegates at a national legislative conference in San Francisco.