Free Republic

Expert calls split in Bonilla's district map racial discrimination AUSTIN (AP) — Hispanics were cut from U.S. Rep. Henry Bonilla's district with "racially discriminatory in tent" to ensure re-election of the Republican who has not fared well with Latino voters, an expert testified Tuesday during the federal redistricting trial. The map of new congressional districts approved by the Legislature this year re designed District 23 in South Texas and others in an at tempt to put more Repub licans in Congress. Democrats and minority groups are challenging the new map in court. Bonilla has held the District 23 seat for...

Commissioners to consider joining redistricting lawsuit BY TRICIA CORTEZ Times staff writer Webb County will join the consolidated lawsuit filed against Gov. Rick Perry and the state of Texas over the Republican-drawn congressional redistricting map passed by the Texas Legislature in October. The Webb County Commissioners Court will hold a special called meeting Monday to hire the San Antonio law firm of Rolando Rios to represent the county. Commissioner Judith Gutierrez made the request last week. The trial begins Dec. 11 and will be held in federal court in Austin before a three-judge panel. Other plaintiffs in the lawsuit styled...