Houston Chronicle on the Texas Redistricting Plan (good analysis)

[goobergunch]

Oct. 9, 2003, 9:29AM

Texas Republicans end wrangling
over congressional map

By R.G. RATCLIFFE and POLLY ROSS HUGHES
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

<snip>

With just six days remaining in a third special legislative session called on the divisive issue, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst announced that a deal had been reached on a map designed to give Republicans a majority in the Texas congressional delegation.

<snip>

The new map, if used in the 2004 elections, should give DeLay at least five more Republican seats in the U.S. House from Texas. Details of the proposal will not be released until today.

<snip>

(Rep. Martin) Frost said the Republican plan will be "dead on arrival" in the federal courts because it violates federal Voting Rights Act protections for minorities. He predicted the map will not be used in the 2004 elections.

more...http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/politics/2146095

Lowlights:

-Speaker Tom Craddick gets his own Midland district.
-freshman Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R) vs. veteran Rep. Charlie Stenholm (D) in Lubbock/Abilene district
-Doomed Dems: Frost, Sandlin, Turner, Lampson, Doggett
-Possibly Doomed Dems: Edwards, Hall

:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

Unfortunately, no map is provided. I'd like to see what they want to do.

Texas House Dems: It's not too late to visit Oklahoma again.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. All I can say is:

I hope Frost is right.

[RobertSeattle]

2. Several long and skinny districts

What rhymes with meandering?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

4. Let's see...hmmm...

--plus-- --plus-- ING?

[Sandstorm]

3. Link to the map

http://www.tlc.state.tx.us/research/redist/pdf/map_plan01374c.pdf

[goobergunch]

5. Thanks hugely!

Check out:

CD 19: currently a compact district, it gains many tentacles.
Travis County (Austin): Three districts can dilute Democratic strength....