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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...

Senate's prized civility under fire Bruises from redistricting battle will heal, some say; others see lasting damage By Ken Herman AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF Monday, August 18, 2003 Eventually, one must assume, the Texas Senate will meet again. Unknown, however, is exactly what it will look and feel like when the 11 boycotting Democrats now based in Albuquerque, N.M., return to the floor after what has been three weeks of interstate unpleasantness. For generations, the 31-member chamber has prided itself on collegiality and, far more often than not, a brand of cordial bipartisanship foreign to the halls of the U.S. Congress. A...

Special Session Letter Download a copy of this letter. [217KB PDF] June 18, 2003 The Honorable David Dewhurst Lieutenant Governor State of Texas State Capitol, Room 2E.13 Austin, Texas 78701 The Honorable Tom Craddick Speaker of the House Texas House of Representatives State Capitol, Room 2W.13 Austin, Texas 78701 Dear Governor Dewhurst and Speaker Craddick: This is to notify you that I am calling the Texas Legislature back into special session beginning June 30 for the primary purpose of addressing congressional redistricting. I believe duly elected officials, not federal judges, should be responsible for drawing district lines. Once legislators have...

<p>The Great Escape?</p> <p>Texas Democrats can run, but they can't hide from their decline.</p> <p>Thursday, May 22, 2003 12:01 a.m.</p> <p>When more than 50 Democratic members of the Texas state House fled the state last week under cover of darkness in order to deprive Republicans of the quorum they needed to redraw the state's congressional districts, they were called the "Killer D's" or the "Chicken D's," depending on one's partisan leanings. Critics talked about printing up wanted posters or milk cartons with their pictures, while supporters cheered their success while fretting that the next time Republicans put their map to a vote, the public might be less tolerant of freezing all legislative business.</p>