[ntnychik]

Excuse me, but isn't redistricting every 10 years required by the U.S. Constitution? Did the judicial redistricting plan in 2000 absolve the legislature from meeting this requirement? If not, I agree, slap the cuffs on 'em!

[Political Junkie Too]

Redistricting is required by the US Constitution, but it requires the Legislature (elected representatives of the people) to do it, not the courts.

The elected representatives couldn't agree in time for the 2002 election, so the courts stepped in and essentially froze the map from 1991 so that the 2002 election could proceed. In my opinion, that doesn't absolve the Legislature (the elected representatives of the people) from reapportioning themselves.

In hindsight, it seems that having a release valve of the courts to intervene when the Legislature can't resolve an issue is only a reason for the Legislature to refuse to compromise, knowing that the courts will go one way or the other. I'd like to see the courts stay out of the Legislature's business and let the failure of the Legislature cause a Constitutional crisis. That might be the incentive to cause voters to more wisely choose their representatives.

-PJ

[freekitty]

I say slap the cuffs on them and bar them from Texas. We don't need them. And it sure looks like they don't need us.