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Ratliff Sides with Democrats on Redistricting (The-Terrific-Texan-Special-Session)
Austin American Statesman ^
| July 14, 2003
| Ken Herman and Laylan Copelin
Posted on 07/14/2003 4:01:26 PM PDT by Pubbie
Republican ally gives Democrats enough votes to keep any map from Senate floor
By Ken Herman and Laylan Copelin
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Monday, July 14, 2003
Texas Republicans' effort to draw new congressional districts took a direct, potentially fatal hit on Monday from one of their own.
Sen. Bill Ratliff, R-Mt. Pleasant, announced he has signed on with 10 Democrats who have said they will vote to keep any redistricting map from the Senate floor.
It takes 21 votes in the 31-member Senate to bring any legislation to the floor for action. Eleven senators can block any action.
Ratliff, who opposes the redistricting effort and does not like the way a House-approved version splits his constituents, said he has told Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst that he is siding with the Democrats in their "unalterable opposition to any motion to bring a congressional redistricting bill to the Senate floor."
Dewhurst, facing the prospect of the redistricting bill dying in his chamber, on Monday said he would consider skirting the Senate traditionwhich dates back to the 1950s and is considered sacred by someof requiring a two-thirds vote to bring a map to the floor.
The GOP holds a 19-12 edge in the Senate, guaranteeing it would prevail on any measure that gets to the floor.
There are several ways to get around the two-thirds tradition. All could be accomplished at Dewhurst's say-so.
"I think that at this point in the process, where the House has already passed a map and we've already gone in and taken testimony throughout the state, that if that were to happen I'd have to consider all of our options," Dewhurst said of the possibility of not getting the 21 votes needed for floor action on redistricting.
Dewhurst spent time behind closed doors on Monday with Ratliff, who said any move to slalom around the two-thirds provision would be "the most serious mistake (Dewhurst) could make."
Ratliff also said the redistricting process is tearing at the legislature's bipartisan tradition.
"I will not be a part of the destruction of that spirit for the sake of a theoretical marginal partisan gain in the Texas congressional delegation," he said.
Dewhurst said he went into the special session with assurances from 21 senators that they would support "a good and fair map."
Republicans, who hold statewide offices and majorities in the House and Senate, have only 15 of the 32 U.S. House seats.
"I think we're fairly down in the process," Dewhurst said when asked about skirting the two-thirds rule. "The House has passed a bill. We've taken extremely laborious and careful testimony from the public around the state of Texas. We've been working on drawing a map and I think that if we find that some of our members have changed their minds I think it's incumbent that we look at all of our options."
The only two Democrats who did not sign the letter of "unalterable opposition" to consideration of a redistricting plan were Sens. Ken Armbrister, D-Victoria, and Frank Madla, D-San Antonio.
Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos, D-Austin, said, "I feel secure at this point that there will be 11 at least."
TOPICS: Extended News; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: redistricting; texas
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It's time for a little rule changing from Mr. Dewhurst!
1
posted on
07/14/2003 4:01:26 PM PDT
by
Pubbie
To: All
Hi Mom!
2
posted on
07/14/2003 4:02:51 PM PDT
by
Support Free Republic
(Your support keeps Free Republic going strong!)
To: JohnnyZ; Theodore R.; Nathaniel Fischer; AuH2ORepublican; LdSentinal; Kuksool; Coop; ...
DeLay ain't done yet *Ping*!
3
posted on
07/14/2003 4:03:56 PM PDT
by
Pubbie
(Bill Owens for Prez and Jeb as VP in '08.)
To: Pubbie
Ratliff must not enjoy politics very much, seeing as how he just ended his career.
To: Pubbie
Just my opinion, but perhaps Ratliff should consider "taking one for the team"? It's hard not to see this as his simply holding out his hand for the right amount of greasing -- by whichever side. But who knows? I don't know his district.
5
posted on
07/14/2003 4:05:55 PM PDT
by
pogo101
To: Torie; Howlin; Miss Marple; Dog Gone
FYI...... Guess Ratliff hasn't got what he likes regarding the NE Texas domination from the Dallas area.....
6
posted on
07/14/2003 4:06:30 PM PDT
by
deport
(On a hot day don't kick a cow chip...... only democrat enablers..)
To: Pubbie
The dirty coward (Ratliff) will undoubtedly be switching parties next; his constituents ought to string him up ASAP. I predicted this would happen (RINO scum sabotaging his own party) a few weeks ago.
DWG
7
posted on
07/14/2003 4:08:39 PM PDT
by
DownWithGreenspan
(The penalty for treason is death... liberalism IS treason... Q.E.D.)
To: Dont Mention the War
he just ended his career. Bump to that. Keep this issue alive come reelection time. He's playing on the wrong side of the fence.
To: deport
I can't wait for tomorrow's Houston Chronicle editorial about this.
This isn't even a setback. It exposes Ratliff as Rat operative, but we already knew that. Now we get to give Lt. Gov Dewhurst an IQ test.
9
posted on
07/14/2003 4:12:19 PM PDT
by
Dog Gone
To: Pubbie
And this guy
RATliff was made LT Gov after Perry succeeded Bush. The Senate rats must have chosen him.
Will Dewhurst change the rule?
10
posted on
07/14/2003 4:15:28 PM PDT
by
Impy
(Dear Justice O'Connor, If you want to see your cat alive again.....)
To: Dog Gone
Did the Senate ever complete a map that you are aware of? I've not seen any news on it. If Dewhurst has to take other actions then my guess is if chooses to bring it up then he'll bring up the House version and try to pass it thus eliminating the need for a conference committee........
11
posted on
07/14/2003 4:20:08 PM PDT
by
deport
(On a hot day don't kick a cow chip...... only democrat enablers..)
To: Pubbie
Dewhurst spent time behind closed doors on Monday with Ratliff, who said any move to slalom around the two-thirds provision would be "the most serious mistake (Dewhurst) could make." Someone needs to explain to Ratliff that he is the one making the mistake.
If Dewhurst suspends the Senate rule, he will take a lot of heat but will ultimately prevail. It's his decision to make.
On the other hand, if Dewhurst doesn't do so and redistricting doesn't happen due to Ratliff's opposition, Ratliff's political career is over. Even if he manages to get re-elected, the Republicans won't give him the time of day, regardless of what party he chooses to run with.
Ratliff has already crossed me once this session, doing his best to kill an important CHL bill (SB 501). It's time for him to get with the program.
To: MeeknMing; Houmatt; lonestar; Flyer; Coop; GraniteStateConservative
fyi
13
posted on
07/14/2003 4:33:36 PM PDT
by
deport
(On a hot day don't kick a cow chip...... only democrat enablers..)
To: Pubbie
Sounds like Ratliff has a bad case of old fashion rosie.
14
posted on
07/14/2003 4:40:07 PM PDT
by
solo gringo
(Always Ranting Always Rite)
To: Pubbie
How much are the RATS paying Ratliff?
15
posted on
07/14/2003 4:45:59 PM PDT
by
Kuksool
To: Pubbie
Isn't Ratliff the RINO that F'ed it all up last time.
I'd primary him myself if I lived there for this one.
16
posted on
07/14/2003 5:10:22 PM PDT
by
Dan from Michigan
("Say hello to my little friend!" - Tony Montana)
To: Dan from Michigan
Isn't Ratliff the RINO that F'ed it all up last time.
He surely had a hand in it but I think you are think of Congressman Martin Frost....
17
posted on
07/14/2003 5:29:54 PM PDT
by
deport
(On a hot day don't kick a cow chip...... only democrat enablers..)
To: Pubbie
It's time to call somebody in Mt. Pleasant and tell them that their republican rep is sideing with the democrats. Tell the person in Mt. Pleasant to tell the Mr. Ratliff he can either stick with his party or they'll recall him; impeach him or whatever it takes to get him out of office.
It might work!
18
posted on
07/14/2003 5:35:46 PM PDT
by
CyberAnt
( America - You Are The Greatest!!)
To: deport
I meant in 2000.
I know there was one RINO that really was awful on that. I THINK it was the same one, but I'm not sure.
19
posted on
07/14/2003 5:56:03 PM PDT
by
Dan from Michigan
("Say hello to my little friend!" - Tony Montana)
To: Dan from Michigan
Well after rereading what you said I then thought that 2000 was what you were talking about. He was Lt. Gov. then, 2001, after being appt by the State Senate to fill the vacancy left by Perry when he move up to the Gov. position after Bush resigned. At that time the State Senate was split 16-15 Republican and the State House was in democrat control. I don't remember the details but nothing was accomplished in that Legislative session and the Texas Legislative Redistricting Board drew up the plan. He was a member as Lt. Gov and may have been voting with the lone Democrat on it. That plan got appealed to the state courts and finally was sent to the Federal Court for resolution.
I think most of what I've said is accurate but I'm only going from memory. I'm sure someone will correct it if I'm wrong.
20
posted on
07/14/2003 6:11:59 PM PDT
by
deport
(On a hot day don't kick a cow chip...... only democrat enablers..)
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