Will state Dems hold the line?

Almost overlooked in all of the brouhaha surrounding redistricting is the fact that any proposed new maps may never come up for a vote in the State Senate.

But Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos, D-Austin, chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus, said state House efforts to redraw the Texas congressional district boundaries are meaningless because he can keep the bill from being debated on the Senate floor.

For a bill to come up in the 31-member Senate, two-thirds of those present must cast a favorable procedural vote on the measure. When all senators are present, 11 can block debate.

"I've got at least 11," said Barrientos.

You go, Gonzalo. We're with you. Meanwhile, for a good laugh, read Cragg Hines' snarky summary of this fiasco.

A different redistricting battle is being fought in the County Commissioners Court, where the same Justice of the Peace precincts have been in place since the 1970s. I must confess, I don't know much about what the JPs do, so I don't have any opinion to offer about this right now. The one interesting thing about this article is here:

[Commissioner Steve] Radack's call to delay redrawing lines caught [County Judge Robert] Eckels by surprise, with Radack proposing the move the day after he and Eckels and Radack discussed redistricting. Eckels said Radack never mentioned his desire for a delay during their conversation.

I didn't think Steve Radack blew his nose without asking Robert Eckels for a tissue first. Quelle surprise.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on May 07, 2003 to Killer D's | TrackBack