Democrats may be free to flee - constitutionally protected, says lawyer

Houston Chronicle ^ | July 25, 2003 | R.G. RATCLIFFE

[MeekOneGOP]

Yep ! Hot off the press from The Dallas Morning News:

Dewhurst: 'Redistricting in this session is dead'

07/25/2003

Associated Press

AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on Friday declared congressional redistricting dead in this special legislative session, confirming that it wouldn't be debated or voted on by the full Senate before the term ends.

"In essence, redistricting in this session is dead," Dewhurst said. "We will continue to do everything we can to bring everyone together."

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Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/latestnews/stories/072503dntexredistricting.46caa.html

The ball is in Perry's court now !

[MeekOneGOP]

Updated:

Dewhurst: 'Redistricting in this session is dead'

07/25/2003

Associated Press

AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst confirmed Friday that congressional redistricting will not be debated or voted on by the full Senate before the term ends next week, but he vowed that "sooner or later" a new plan will get approved.

"In essence, redistricting in this session is dead," Dewhurst said. "We will continue to do everything we can to bring everyone together."

The special legislative session can last a maximum of 30 days and must end Tuesday.

A bloc of 11 Democrats and one Republican have been holding firm in opposing redistricting in the Senate. That's enough to keep the bill from coming up for debate under Senate rules.

A GOP-controlled Senate committee has approved a redistricting map on a party-line vote, but that's where the bill has stalled. Earlier, the Texas House approved a redistricting map.

Dewhurst said he is encouraging senators to work together to come up with a plan that is fair to all Texans.

Republican Gov. Rick Perry is expected to call another special session to take up redistricting, and Dewhurst said he expects that to be "sooner than later."

Dewhurst, also a Republican, has said in that session he would remove a rule requiring two-thirds of the 31-member Senate to agree to bring a bill up for debate.

Senate Democrats who oppose redistricting say they are considering all options, including a possible boycott to block a quorum, if another session is called and the two-thirds rule is eliminated. Two-thirds, or 21 senators, must be present to conduct business.

Currently Democrats have a 17-15 majority in the state's congressional delegation. Republicans, pushed by U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Sugar Land, say they should hold the majority because of the state's GOP voting trends in recent elections.

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Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dallas/tsw/stories/072503dntexredistricting.46caa.html

[lowbridge]

bump

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Republican Gov. Rick Perry is expected to call another special session to take up redistricting, and Dewhurst said he expects that to be "sooner than later."

I love men of action.

[MeekOneGOP]

Yep ! Sooner rather than later. Probably means by Monday-Tuesday next week he'll announce it.

[aristeides]

Speaking of illegal conspiracies, are the Democrats planning to flee guilty of one?

[XBob]

you have got it bass ackwards - it is the demonRATS who like normal, don't think they need to obey the law, if they don't win. They are pathetic, unscrupulous, and without honor.

They don't deserve to be called Texans, and totally fail to live up to the Texas spirit and the spirit of the Alamo.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I agree. I was posting a ridiculous remark for Freeper consumption, not condoning it.

The lastest Texas Democrats on the lam story