Lawmakers adjourn without redistricting bill

Corpus Christie Caller-Times ^ | August 26, 2003 | Natalie Gott

[hocndoc]

URL: http://www.caller.com/ccct/state_texas_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_876_2211049,00.html Lawmakers adjourn without redistricting bill

By NATALIE GOTT Associated Press Writer August 26, 2003

AUSTIN- A second special legislative session that was brought to a standstill for 30 days when 11 Senate Democrats broke a quorum by fleeing to New Mexico ended Tuesday without passage of a congressional redistricting plan.

The fight over control of the Texas congressional delegation seemed far from over, however. Republican Gov. Rick Perry said he will call another special session, though he would not say when.

"When I call that session is strictly up to me, and I'll give the appropriate notice on the appropriate day," Perry said.

The issue also moves into federal court Wednesday, when a lawsuit filed by the Democrats gets a hearing in Laredo. Several boycotting Democrats said they will return to Texas to attend.

Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who presides over the Senate, sent a warning Tuesday to self-exiled Democrats, who along with House Democrats have now defeated redistricting three times this year.

"Let me pass on a very clear message to our 11 colleagues out in Albuquerque. The mood in the Senate is changing. We're tired. We're tired of sitting here and waiting," Dewhurst said. "At the end of the day, and I am saying this to our colleagues out in Albuquerque, don't let yourself win two skirmishes and lose the war."

Dewhurst would not offer details on how the stalemate could be resolved, but said, "I did lay out a specific new proposal to our Democrat senators yesterday."

The Democrats, though, said they hadn't heard an offer that would bring them back.

They gave no indication they would return from Albuquerque, N.M., right away other than to attend the Wednesday hearing. Sen. Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio, chairwoman of the Senate Democratic Caucus, has said if necessary they are prepared to stay away another 30 days, the maximum length of a special session.

Three of the Democrats watched from Albuquerque on the Internet as the Legislature adjourned.

"It really is sad to see the Texas Legislature so divided and at the same time, we felt validated because we accomplished what we set out to do," said Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo.

The Democrats fled the Capitol on July 28, shortly before Perry called a second consecutive special session. Their absence denied the Senate a quorum, halting business in the 31-member chamber that requires two-thirds of its members to be present for business to be conducted.

Republicans, led by U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Sugar Land, have been pushing for lawmakers to redraw the congressional districts, saying voting trends show Texas should have more Republicans in Washington. Democrats now have a 17-15 majority in the delegation.

The Democrats contend the current map should not be changed and say proposals before the Legislature this year would have hurt minority representation.

They flew to New Mexico because it is across the state line and they could not be arrested by the Texas law officers sent to force them back to the Capitol.

Through their boycott, the Democrats have been running down the clock on getting a redistricting plan approved before congressional candidates begin filing to run for office. Candidates may start filing for the 2004 primary Dec. 3, but any new congressional boundaries must be sent to the U.S. Justice Department at least 60 days before the filing starts.

Some lawmakers have been talking about moving the filing date to give Texas more time to get maps approved.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department in a letter to the Texas Secretary of State's Office said that prior federal approval is not needed on Dewhurst's decision to do away with a provision requiring that two-thirds of the Senate agree to allow a bill to be debated.

In a move that prompted the Democratic walkout, Dewhurst said that for redistricting, he would arrange the order of the bills in the special session so that only a majority of senators would need to agree for bill consideration.

The state contended that prior Justice Department approval was not needed on Dewhurst's decision, but sought the assurance anyway. The Democrats had hoped to meet with Justice Department officials on the matter.

"I would never say the fix is in but I just say it's very suspicious," said Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas. "Last week, they were willing to meet with us, let us have input into the process, and this week there's a rush to judgment."

Perry said the Justice Department letter was another clear message to the Democrats "that these lawsuits they filed are frivolous."

___

Associated Press writers Kelley Shannon in Austin and Lisa Falkenberg in Albuquerque contributed to this report.

Copyright 2003, Caller.com. All Rights Reserved.

[hocndoc]

The news in this is that no one's denying that Dewhurst talked to the Fleas in New Mexico, this time and that West is "not" saying that "the fix is in" with the Federal Justice Department.

This time, the report is that the Dems haven't heard anything that will bring them back (not new). Every other article has had Leticia stomp out and say that "No one's been in touch with me, (Whoever) is lying."

And, evidently, the Justice Department in Washington is not giving the Dems a hearing for their whining, so the Fleas "won't" make accusations of Partisan bias in Justice and Ellis, Van de Putte, and the rest may not have an excuse for a trip to DC.

[AntiGuv]

Why can't they snag the rogue Dems when they attend the court hearing in Laredo??

[deport]

Now the wait begins...... "on the appriopriate day"

[BurbankKarl]

they will just head home to Mexico if they can't escape west

Leticia R. Van de Putte

Demócrata

Distrito 26

Ocupación: Farmacéutica

San Antonio , Texas

La Senadora Van de Putte brinda al Senado de Texas un amplio conocimiento sobre cómo opera el gobierno estatal. Ella representó a San Antonio durante cinco sesiones legislativas en la Cámara de Representantes de Texas. Van de Putte participa activamente en el Senado en apoyo de temas relativos a la niñez, mejorando las leyes que ayudan a proteger a los niños de Texas. La senadora fue presidenta de Interagency Child Abuse Network, agencia que lucha contra el abuso de menores, y está involucrada en el YMCA y Boy Scouts de América. Ella y su marido Pete son los orgullosos padres de seis hijos

[Dog Gone]

Meanwhile, the Justice Department in a letter to the Texas Secretary of State's Office said that prior federal approval is not needed on Dewhurst's decision to do away with a provision requiring that two-thirds of the Senate agree to allow a bill to be debated.

Well, that pretty much undercuts the Laredo lawsuit which is to be heard tomorrow. It was an absurd claim anyway, but now the Rat judge they found to hear the case is going to have a pretty hard time ruling that the Justice Department did need to preclear any parliamentary rules change.

[adam_az]

I hope Perry has something up his sleeve.... Say like posting Texas Rangers outside the capitol building doors?

[deport]

Not sure that will work..... but what is needed is the Legislative body have a group with authority that can be with them when they convene the next session and bring them to Austin at the moment Dewhurst issues a "Call of the Senate". This all assumes that they Senators are the ones to not show up this time....

[MeekOneGOP]

"I would never say the fix is in but I just say it's very suspicious," said Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas. "Last week, they were willing to meet with us, let us have input into the process, and this week there's a rush to judgment."

Kind of a weird and stupid statement considering that it is the 'RATS that have excluded THEMSELVES from the legislative process. If they had remained in Austin and done their jobs, they would have properly represented their constituents. As it is, they have EXCLUDED themselves and thus their constituents, and have tried to play the race card blaming the 'mean ole Republicans' ...

[mathluv]

Just heard Brit say that moveon.org will not guarantee that money donated for the Albuturkeys will go to them. ...........OK, he did say dims.

[MeekOneGOP]

Now the wait begins...... "on the appriopriate day"

Yep ! Could be that tomorrow might be a good time to call a session ? ...

The issue also moves into federal court Wednesday, when a lawsuit filed by the Democrats gets a hearing in Laredo. Several boycotting Democrats said they will return to Texas to attend.

I wanna see some 'RAT kickin' and screamin' goin' on while they drag them to Austin, LOL !! ...

all they need are 2 of 'em for a quorum too ...

[deport]

all they need are 2 of 'em for a quorum too ...

---

That's assuming that Ratliff shows, if not then they will need three from somewhere...

[jsbankston]

How much notice must the Governor give to call a Special Session? If it is simply minutes than he can call it as soon as the Dims return to Austin. If a session is not taking place the Dims can hold a parade down Congress Ave. and have no fear of the law.

State Law requires that lines be drawn (and approved) 60 days before the filing deadline. If this is the case redistricting appears dead with the Dims only having to hold out until the 3rd of October.

Looks like the tyranny of the minority wins once again.

[hocndoc]

""That's assuming that Ratliff shows, if not then they will need three from somewhere...""

Almost makes you believe in that old superstition that the name is the thing, doesn't it?

Definitely makes me believe in RINO's.

[MeekOneGOP]

The GOP is requesting deadlines be extended already I think ...

[MeekOneGOP]

Yeah, good point ... unfortunately.

[VRWC_minion]

Dewhurst said. "At the end of the day, and I am saying this to our colleagues out in Albuquerque, don't let yourself win two skirmishes and lose the war."

Spoken like someone who is sure of winning.

[MeekOneGOP]

I missed it. The money will NOT go to the Albuturkeys ?
But it will go to Democrats ? Which Democrats ?? ...

[mathluv]

Brit just said they would not say where the money would go.

[MeekOneGOP]

Hmm ?? Thanks. That's interesting.

(Thinkin' out loud):
I wonder what changed their minds/why they're clamming up ?? Something is fishy ...

[jsbankston]

Seems to be a Catch-22. They can only extend the deadline by having the legislature meet and if there is no quorum, they cannot meet to extend the deadline.