Rumors Swirl About Redistricting Block in Senate [Texas]

[jfxgillis]

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has called a press conference for 3:30 p.m. Monday to respond to rumors that 11 senators have signed a letter saying they will vote to block debate on congressional redistricting.

Rumors swept the Senate floor Monday afternoon that 10 Democrats and Sen. Bill Ratliff, R-Mount Pleasant, are opposed to debating congressional redistricting. Several senators, who asked not to be identified, were the source of the speculation that the primary issue for the special session may be dying — or dead.

http://www.statesman.com/legislature/content/coxnet/texas/legislature/0703/0714redist_update.html

[Gman]

1. That damn Frank Madla

The guy's way too comfy.

[jfxgillis]

2. And I don't get it.

San Antonio is pretty strong Democratic territory, for Texas anyway.

Doesn't his state Senate seat roughly approximate the late, great Henry Gonzales' old Congressional District?

[Brazosboomer]

3. Dewhurts press conference

Hey, I'm glad someone else cares!

Listen to Dewhurst live


http://www.senate.state.tx.us/bin/live.php#Channel.2

[jos]

4. If true

it's good to know that there is one Republican in the State of Texas with a sense of fairness.

[pmbryant]

5. Hope this is true

:kick:

--Peter

[goobergunch]

6. PLEASE BE TRUE!!! (n/t)

[Sandstorm]

7. Lots of Republican opposition

Many of the rural Republicans have been against redistricting because they will stand to lose a great deal of representation. I have been surprised to see many, if not most, of the Republican leaders in heavily conservative west Texas protesting these plans.

[wellstone_democrat]

10. yeah, its been a hoot to watch them in west Texas

they reported on the Democratic flight to OK like child molesters were at large. They tsk, tsk, tsk'd the fears of redistricting. (all of this on the local news and around the proverbial watercooler)

Then...they got a look at that damn map. Hilarious. Frankly, it was the one moment in this mess were I was entertained. I've been in District #19 (where Neugebauer won on a "I love Jesus and George Bush" platform) but the new map, while it might secure Replicants seats does some interesting things that are wildly hated. You might be able to "dilute" that African-American or Mexican-American vote by divvying them up into parcels to be inserted into all white majority districts but...you kill the local/regional rural interests of those same white voters who are used to having things their own way. Now they might, heaven forbid, have to take into account what them city-folk of Abilene want. The laugh is in #19 that Lubbock finally beat the crap out of a Midland candidate in the congressional race for Combest's seat but at that moment of triumph, Midland gets snatched away and Lubbock has some weird district that drifts way over into the center of the state. So long a wait to dominate those oil bastards in Midland....and your own party snatches that victory right away.

In any event, the west Texans who saw a great Republican empire about to be *cemented* into place now find that they are losing some local influence that is critical in the agricultural sector of the south plains for one example.

You bet we've been laughing. Hard.

Mr. W_D

[jfxgillis]

8. Sounds like

Dewhurst is stymied, so he's threatening to break out that o'l GOP reliable--break the rules.

[w4rma]

9. Didn't sign: Sens. Ken Armbrister, D-Victoria, Frank Madla, D-San Antonio.

...
The vote in the Senate could be close. The Democrats control 12 of 31 seats there -- in theory, enough to halt any redistricting proposal in its tracks. But three of them appear shaky, or at least willing to hear what the Republicans have to offer.

One of the Democrats is state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., who represents a district along the Mexican border. He said he has little interest in a new map -- unless it includes three new Hispanic-dominated border districts. Another wavering Democrat is state Sen. Kenneth L. Armbrister, who has signaled that he might play ball on redistricting in return for benefits for health care facilities and teachers.

Speaking to reporters today, Armbrister said he had received calls over the weekend from two Democratic congressmen whose districts might be carved up by a new map. Asked whether he had returned their calls, he said, "I got other things to do."

The third fence-sitter, state Sen. Frank L. Madla of San Antonio, said today he is "praying" he will make the right decision. Previously, however, he has suggested that what really matters to him is his bill that would allow Texans to order wine over the Internet.
...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A54438-2003Jun30

[Nottingham]

11. I'm gonna Pray this works out!

:bounce:

[Rose Siding]

12. The UPDATE- It's true

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=13682&mesg_id=13682&page=