Burnt Orange Report

No Harris Maps

By Byron LaMasters

From the Quorum Report:

HARRIS OUT OF THE MAP DRAWING BUSINESS His maps were designed by Attorney General's office In a brief statement before the Senate Jurisprudence Committee, Senator Chris Harris (R-Ft.Worth) said that neither of the two maps he had been prepared to lay out met appropriate standards. He said that they had been prepared by the Attorney General's office but due to a computer glitch, they did not pass muster

I guess that Attorney General Greg Abbott and I think alike. Any attempt to dilute the minority voting stregth in the 24th district (Frost) violates the Voting Rights Act. Period.

Update: The Austin American Statesman is on the story:

The Senate's lead member on drafting proposed changes to the state's congressional boundaries abruptly withdrew from the role, but said another senator was prepared to step in.

Sen. Chris Harris, R-Arlington, earlier Wednesday had said he would be presenting two proposals for redrawing congressional boundaries. Lawmakers are considering the issue in a special session at the urging of congressional Republicans who hope to pad their majority in Washington.

Instead of presenting the maps, however, Harris said he was withdrawing as the lead senator on the issue.

"At this point, I am out of the map-drawing business." Harris said, adding that Sen. Todd Staples, R-Palestine, would be presenting a map.

Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock and chairman of the committee considering the redistricting debate quipped, "I don't know if (Staples) wants that."

According to Harris, Staples had presented him with a small map at 10:10 a.m. Wednesday and that appeared to the map that would be debated by the committee.

Harris said he had been told by the attorney general that his maps were illegal. With that, Harris left the committee room. Reporters chased after Harris but the gruff Arlington senator would say little.

David Beckwith, a spokesman for Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, rushed to the committee room when he heard that Harris had announced there was a "glitch" with his maps.

Beckwith said Harris' action was a surprise to the lieutenant governor's staff.

Duncan recessed the committee while it regrouped.