Posted on 12/19/2003 6:59:46 AM PST by Theodore R.
State denies redistricting map drawn to harm minority blocs
AUSTIN (AP) — Attorneys for the state defended a congressional district map in a federal courtroom Thursday, attempting to disprove plaintiffs' arguments that the new lines were drawn with racially discriminatory intent, violating the Voting Rights Act.
Attorney Andy Taylor questioned a map drawer about the intent with which each of the 32 districts was created by the Texas Legislature.
"I'm not aware of splits made to break up minority blocks," said Bill Davis, a former Republican state legislator and lobbyist who testified as the state began its case in the federal redistricting trial.
Democrats and some minority groups are challenging the map, saying it dilutes minority voting power. Taylor has contended from the start that the map was drawn merely to put more Republicans in Congress as a reflection of statewide voting trends.
Davis described how each county that was split, including Laredo in Webb County, was a result of lawmakers trying to balance population in each district. Each district is required to contain 651,619 residents, with no deviation, according to census figures.
Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, the lead map drawer for the House, said the map wasn't redrawn to hurt minorities. "Frankly, we did everything we could to make sure we had a map that passed legal muster," he said.
The trial moved into the final stretch Thursday, with closing arguments expected today.
The Justice Department still must deem the redistricting plan clear of Voting Rights Act violations before it can become effective.
State Rep. Ron Wilson, D-Houston, the lone black legislator to vote in favor of the redistricting plan, told the three-judge federal panel that he supported the plan because it contained a new Houston district in which a black candidate would likely win.
"I think it's worth my support of a plan that doubles the African-American representation from Houston in Congress," Wilson said.
Democrats have argued that the one new black district will come at the expense of seven other white Democratic representatives who traditionally vote in line with the interests of minorities in their districts. But Wilson criticized the white Democrats who garner the support of many minorities in their districts, as doing "lip service" to minority interests.
Democrats and some minorities want the state to maintain existing districts, which have given Democrats a 17-15 advantage in the Texas delegation.
Republicans contend they should have more members of their party in Congress because most Texans generally vote Republican. The GOP holds all the statewide elected offices and controls the Legislature.
The redistricting plan was passed in an October special session after partisan fighting all year and two out-of-state boycotts by Democrats.
Various groups of Democrats, the American GI Forum, the League of United Latin American Citizens and the Texas NAACP are challenging the plan.
He hasn't said so, and Chris Bell, a white first-term Congressman who is arguably the incumbent, will certainly seek to be elected from that district.
Bell will be re-elected unless he gets a primary challenge from Wilson or another serious black candidate.
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