Free Republic

Texas senators return BY TRICIA CORTEZ Times staff writer Before a cheering crowd of family, friends and supporters, the "Texas 11 Minus One" delivered hugs and speeches Wednesday afternoon in Laredo after returning from a defiant six-week holdout in Albuquerque, N.M. While the Cigarroa High School band played and stylish Ryan Elementary cheerleaders performed, the 10 Democratic state senators received a good dose of Texas heat while they stood on a makeshift stage in an airport hangar before an enormous Texas flag. Hanging over the air was the possibility of being arrested by Texas Department of Public Safety agents. City...

Redistricting fight continues Gov. Perry calls for third special session BY TRICIA CORTEZ Times staff writer After more than six weeks of personal financial and family sacrifice to fight the Republican leadership on congressional redistricting, the "Texas 11 Minus One" are coming home Wednesday. Laredo will be their first stop in the Lone Star State. Eight of the 10 Democratic state senators are expected to fly in from Albuquerque, N.M. Wednesday. They will land at 4:30 p.m. at Labata FBO, a private hangar at the Laredo International Airport, and will be joined later by senators Eddie Lucio Jr. of Brownsville...

Demos threaten court action to block sanctions; Republicans stand firm Associated Press AUSTIN (AP) — Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on Tuesday dismissed as baseless and frivolous legal threats by 11 Texas Democrats boycotting the Senate chamber over how congressional voting districts are drawn. He indicated Senate Republicans would not impose further sanctions on the Democrats, who went to Albuquerque, N.M., three weeks ago to avoid a second special session on redistricting. "We've done what we can and we expect our senators to come back," Dewhurst said. Republican senators last week adopted a resolution that denies their Democratic colleagues and...