Posted on 08/22/2003 11:44:35 AM PDT by Libloather
Dems avoid arrest; tour N.M. Capitol
'Texas Eleven' learn about state politics
By RACHEL GRAVES
Aug. 21, 2003, 10:37PM
SANTA FE, N.M. -- Faced with arrest if they visit the Texas Capitol, 11 Democratic state senators in self-imposed exile on Thursday toured the New Mexico statehouse.
The senators plan to stay in New Mexico at least until Wednesday, the day a federal lawsuit they have filed in Laredo is scheduled for a hearing. The outcome could allow them to return to Texas.
Eleven of Texas' 12 Democratic senators bolted Texas on July 28 to foil a Republican congressional redistricting effort. They are staying in Albuquerque, N.M., out of the reach of Texas law enforcement that would force them back to Austin.
In Santa Fe on Thursday, five of the senators toured the New Mexico Capitol.
"Part of the reason we're in your lovely state is because of the process in ours," explained Sen. Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio, chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus, to the tour guide.
The Democrats are boycotting the second special session that Texas Gov. Rick Perry has called on congressional redistricting. The governor has said he will call a third one, but has not said whether it will begin immediately after the current one ends Tuesday, or sometime later.
He is under some time pressure because any redistricting plan almost certainly will race court challenges, and Republicans want a new plan in place for next year's elections.
Republicans are pushing a redistricting plan that probably would add at least five Republicans to Texas' U.S. House delegation, which now comprises 17 Democrats and 15 Republicans.
Efforts at redistricting failed in this year's regular session when Democratic state representatives went to Oklahoma to break the House quorum.
Senate Democrats, joined by one Republican, blocked redistricting in the first special session because of a Senate rule then in effect requiring that two-thirds of the 31 senators agree to bring legislation to the floor for debate.
The boycotting senators came to New Mexico after Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, presiding officer of the Senate, announced that the two-thirds rule would not be in effect in the second special session.
In the Laredo lawsuit, the Democrats contend that the change in Senate rules violated the voting rights of ethnic minorities. Seven of the 11 are Hispanic, two are black, and two are Anglos representing districts that are predominantly black or Hispanic.
The lawsuit also challenges the authority of Texas law enforcement agents to forcibly return them to the Capitol.
The Democrats marveled at the large Democratic majority in the New Mexico Legislature. Republicans control the Texas House and Senate.
They seemed surprised that New Mexico lawmakers have no district offices or staff.
At a reception with New Mexico House Speaker Ben Lujan, the Democrats gave New Mexican officials signed copies of the "Texas Eleven" logo. The New Mexicans reciprocated with gavels.
"We're with you 100 percent," Lujan said.
The Texans planned to attend a private dinner with New Mexico Lt. Gov. Diane Denish before heading back to Albuquerque.
The process is just fine. RATS can't stand the results of the process...
You'd have to see who their consituents are.
Probably only a small percentage speak English, or can read/write any language at all.
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