Friday, January 09, 2004
Gerrymuddline in Texas (Christian Science Monitor)
An interesting piece on Redistricting from the Christian Science Monitor
Gerrymuddling in Texas
A three-judge federal panel in Texas has, for now, handed the GOP a win in the Lone Star state by approving a new map for congressional seats that Republicans said better reflects their recent election victories among Texas voters. The case will go to the Supreme Court, focusing a national debate over how redistricting issues should be settled - by voters, courts, or Congress.
This ruling helps end a long stand-off that saw Democratic lawmakers flee the state twice to avoid voting on the GOP map. And it also comes after decades of Texas Democrats gerrymandering congressional lines to suit incumbents and interest groups, and a court-ordered redistricting in 2001 due to a deadlock in the legislature.
The federal panel ruled that the US Constitution does not prevent state legislatures from engaging in partisan redistricting or breaking the tradition of redistricting soon after the US Census. Nor did this particular GOP-drawn map violate the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965. It was "politics, pure and simple," they said, even while adding they were troubled by this "grasp of power" phenomenon.
The judges had this advice, though: "Congress can assist by banning mid-decade redistricting, which it has the clear constitutional authority to."
Redistricting is regularly necessary to better reflect demographic shifts in the voting populace. This may be too much to ask, but it shouldn't be used for partisan purposes or to protect incumbents. Politicians should be elected on their merits, not on their skill in drawing odd map boundaries.
New technology has made redistricting easier, quicker, and ever more precise - an advance that should be used to help better reflect the voting population rather than more finely carving up congressional seats.
Voters shouldn't sit back and let the courts or Congress solve this problem. They can pressure candidates to support measures on when redistricting should be done, and how each district should reflect equality, contiguity, unity, and compactness.
Comments-[ comments.]
Gerrymuddling in Texas
A three-judge federal panel in Texas has, for now, handed the GOP a win in the Lone Star state by approving a new map for congressional seats that Republicans said better reflects their recent election victories among Texas voters. The case will go to the Supreme Court, focusing a national debate over how redistricting issues should be settled - by voters, courts, or Congress.
This ruling helps end a long stand-off that saw Democratic lawmakers flee the state twice to avoid voting on the GOP map. And it also comes after decades of Texas Democrats gerrymandering congressional lines to suit incumbents and interest groups, and a court-ordered redistricting in 2001 due to a deadlock in the legislature.
The federal panel ruled that the US Constitution does not prevent state legislatures from engaging in partisan redistricting or breaking the tradition of redistricting soon after the US Census. Nor did this particular GOP-drawn map violate the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965. It was "politics, pure and simple," they said, even while adding they were troubled by this "grasp of power" phenomenon.
The judges had this advice, though: "Congress can assist by banning mid-decade redistricting, which it has the clear constitutional authority to."
Redistricting is regularly necessary to better reflect demographic shifts in the voting populace. This may be too much to ask, but it shouldn't be used for partisan purposes or to protect incumbents. Politicians should be elected on their merits, not on their skill in drawing odd map boundaries.
New technology has made redistricting easier, quicker, and ever more precise - an advance that should be used to help better reflect the voting population rather than more finely carving up congressional seats.
Voters shouldn't sit back and let the courts or Congress solve this problem. They can pressure candidates to support measures on when redistricting should be done, and how each district should reflect equality, contiguity, unity, and compactness.
Redistricting Opponents Appeal Map
Texas Redistricting Opponents Appeal Map
Fri Jan 9, 5:55 PM ET
By KELLEY SHANNON, Associated Press Writer
AUSTIN, Texas - Opponents of a Republican congressional redistricting plan asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday to stop Texas from using the map for the 2004 elections pending an appeal to the high court.
Congressional Democrats and other groups applied for the stay to put on hold a lower court's approval of the map. If that request is not granted, the plaintiffs want an injunction to require previous congressional districts to be used in this year's election.
The filing period for candidates in the new districts starts Sunday and ends Jan. 16.
The opponents of the map have up to 60 days to appeal Tuesday's court ruling in which three judges said the opponents failed to prove that the map diluted minority voting strength in violation of the U.S. Constitution and the Voting Rights Act.
Attorney General Greg Abbott on Friday repeated his belief that the GOP map will withstand court challenges. "As I indicated earlier this week, I do not believe that the United States Supreme Court will grant the plaintiffs' request for (a) stay in the redistricting case," Abbott said through a spokesman.
The Republican-controlled Legislature voted in the new districts in a special session following months of partisan bickering highlighted by two out-of-state walkouts by Democrats. House Democrats fled to Ardmore, Okla., in May to break a quorum, and Senate Democrats jetted off to Albuquerque, N.M., for six weeks during the summer to do the same.
"The 2003 Texas congressional redistricting is proof that the redistricting process in this country has gone completely haywire," the Democrats' court filing said.
The current makeup of the Texas congressional delegation is 16-16. The new map is expected to increase its Republican makeup.
Comments-[ comments.]
Fri Jan 9, 5:55 PM ET
By KELLEY SHANNON, Associated Press Writer
AUSTIN, Texas - Opponents of a Republican congressional redistricting plan asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday to stop Texas from using the map for the 2004 elections pending an appeal to the high court.
Congressional Democrats and other groups applied for the stay to put on hold a lower court's approval of the map. If that request is not granted, the plaintiffs want an injunction to require previous congressional districts to be used in this year's election.
The filing period for candidates in the new districts starts Sunday and ends Jan. 16.
The opponents of the map have up to 60 days to appeal Tuesday's court ruling in which three judges said the opponents failed to prove that the map diluted minority voting strength in violation of the U.S. Constitution and the Voting Rights Act.
Attorney General Greg Abbott on Friday repeated his belief that the GOP map will withstand court challenges. "As I indicated earlier this week, I do not believe that the United States Supreme Court will grant the plaintiffs' request for (a) stay in the redistricting case," Abbott said through a spokesman.
The Republican-controlled Legislature voted in the new districts in a special session following months of partisan bickering highlighted by two out-of-state walkouts by Democrats. House Democrats fled to Ardmore, Okla., in May to break a quorum, and Senate Democrats jetted off to Albuquerque, N.M., for six weeks during the summer to do the same.
"The 2003 Texas congressional redistricting is proof that the redistricting process in this country has gone completely haywire," the Democrats' court filing said.
The current makeup of the Texas congressional delegation is 16-16. The new map is expected to increase its Republican makeup.
The No Child Left Behind Act, Two Years Later
When it comes to educating our children, George W. Bush says one thing and does another. Every budget he has proposed since signing the No Child Left Behind Act has undercut the goals and implementation of that law by failing to provide the necessary funding.
Get the full story on the No Child Left Behind Act and learn more about President Bush's real record on our schools by reading our DNC Special Report:
The No Child Left Behind Act, Two Years Later: Empty Promises, Empty Rhetoric
Comments-[ comments.]
Get the full story on the No Child Left Behind Act and learn more about President Bush's real record on our schools by reading our DNC Special Report:
The No Child Left Behind Act, Two Years Later: Empty Promises, Empty Rhetoric
Texas Democratic Party Week In Review
Texas Democratic Party Week In Review
Political Week in Review—January 9, 2004
Democrats Appeal Court’s Redistricting Decision
Despite their criticism of the sham process Republicans exploited to force a partisan power grab on the voters of Texas, a federal court upheld the new Republican congressional map in a decision released on Tuesday. The two Republican-appointed judges on the three-person panel approved the plan to cancel the voting rights of 3.6 million Texans, with Judge John Ward, an appointee of President Clinton, dissenting. Democrats and other plaintiffs in the case immediately appealed the case and requested a stay from the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the decision. Meanwhile, Texas Democrats will benefit from the public outrage against redistricting and candidates will use the Republican power grab as a prime campaign issue in the 2004 elections.
Click Here to Read More About the Court’s Decision…
Click Here to Read the TDP’s Response to the Court’s Ruling…
Perry Says Public Schools Can Expect No More Aide from State
After huddling Thursday with House Speaker Tom Craddick and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst at Dewhurst’s Fredericksburg “ranch,” which is actually owned by the Falcon Seaboard corporation, Gov. Rick Perry announced that he wanted to eliminate the current school finance system without increasing funding for public schools. “Do we need more resources? Do we need a bigger pie? The answer is no," Perry said. The three Republican leaders, deemed “The Stooges” by Texas Monthly, have said they want to do away with the state’s education finance system, but they haven’t figured out how. They have figured out how to cut public education. Republicans passed a budged last year that eliminated hundreds of millions of dollars for public schools, as well as enacted the “Republican teacher tax” by cutting health insurance for active and retired teachers.
Click Here to Read About Perry’s Anti-Public School Meeting with The Stooges…
Click Here to See David Dewhurst Modeling Western Wear for Falcon Seaboard...
SDEC to Meet in Austin Saturday
The State Democratic Executive Committee (SDEC) will meet at 10 a.m. on Jan. 10 at the new Hilton Hotel, 500 East 4th St, in Austin. The general session of the SDEC will be assembled at 10 a.m. Committee meetings will be held Friday evening and Saturday morning. The SDEC will certify candidates (except for congressional) for the ballot and decide whether to add any referenda to the primary ballot. Call the Texas Democratic Party office ) for more information.
Bizarre Campaign Promise of the Week
“If I'm elected, I guarantee the only water you'll leave the Panhandle with is the urine I leave on your pant leg.” Texas Senate candidate Jesse Quackenbush of Amarillo, addressing T. Boone Pickens and the businessman's efforts to resell Panhandle water elsewhere, during a candidate forum reported by the Amarillo Globe-News.
Click Here to Read the Article in the Amarillo Globe-News…
Comments-[ comments.]
Political Week in Review—January 9, 2004
Democrats Appeal Court’s Redistricting Decision
Despite their criticism of the sham process Republicans exploited to force a partisan power grab on the voters of Texas, a federal court upheld the new Republican congressional map in a decision released on Tuesday. The two Republican-appointed judges on the three-person panel approved the plan to cancel the voting rights of 3.6 million Texans, with Judge John Ward, an appointee of President Clinton, dissenting. Democrats and other plaintiffs in the case immediately appealed the case and requested a stay from the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the decision. Meanwhile, Texas Democrats will benefit from the public outrage against redistricting and candidates will use the Republican power grab as a prime campaign issue in the 2004 elections.
Click Here to Read More About the Court’s Decision…
Click Here to Read the TDP’s Response to the Court’s Ruling…
Perry Says Public Schools Can Expect No More Aide from State
After huddling Thursday with House Speaker Tom Craddick and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst at Dewhurst’s Fredericksburg “ranch,” which is actually owned by the Falcon Seaboard corporation, Gov. Rick Perry announced that he wanted to eliminate the current school finance system without increasing funding for public schools. “Do we need more resources? Do we need a bigger pie? The answer is no," Perry said. The three Republican leaders, deemed “The Stooges” by Texas Monthly, have said they want to do away with the state’s education finance system, but they haven’t figured out how. They have figured out how to cut public education. Republicans passed a budged last year that eliminated hundreds of millions of dollars for public schools, as well as enacted the “Republican teacher tax” by cutting health insurance for active and retired teachers.
Click Here to Read About Perry’s Anti-Public School Meeting with The Stooges…
Click Here to See David Dewhurst Modeling Western Wear for Falcon Seaboard...
SDEC to Meet in Austin Saturday
The State Democratic Executive Committee (SDEC) will meet at 10 a.m. on Jan. 10 at the new Hilton Hotel, 500 East 4th St, in Austin. The general session of the SDEC will be assembled at 10 a.m. Committee meetings will be held Friday evening and Saturday morning. The SDEC will certify candidates (except for congressional) for the ballot and decide whether to add any referenda to the primary ballot. Call the Texas Democratic Party office ) for more information.
Bizarre Campaign Promise of the Week
“If I'm elected, I guarantee the only water you'll leave the Panhandle with is the urine I leave on your pant leg.” Texas Senate candidate Jesse Quackenbush of Amarillo, addressing T. Boone Pickens and the businessman's efforts to resell Panhandle water elsewhere, during a candidate forum reported by the Amarillo Globe-News.
Click Here to Read the Article in the Amarillo Globe-News…
