July 01, 2003
Daily Texan Supports Redistricting
By Byron LaMasters
While I have been pleasantly surprised by the Daily Texan editorials under Kevin Kushner thus far, I was quite disappointed by yesterday's editorial:
It's easy to see why Texas Republicans want to redraw congressional district lines. Despite winning all 29 state-wide elections and 57 percent of the total statewide congressional vote in November, Republicans won only 15 of 32 Texas U.S. House of Representatives seats.
Those results indicate flaws in the congressional districts drawn by a federal three-judge panel prior to the November 2002 elections. Republicans are ready to correct the errors.
Errors??? Please. That's so lame. I'll repeat again. Texas Democratic Reps. Max Sandlin, Jim Turner, Ralph Hall, Charlie Stenholm and Chet Edwards represent congressional districts that are not only Republican leaning, but should be safe Republican. All five districts were won by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst (the lowest Republican vote-getter in 2002, who won with 53%). Furthermore, all five were won by George W. Bush with over 60% in 2000. These districts are Republican districts. In fact, of the 32 congressional districts in Texas, 20 are Republican majority. The current plan favors Republicans. I'll repeat... the current plan FAVORS the Republican Party. Geez.
Posted by Byron LaMasters at July 1, 2003 02:49 AM
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But at the end, he makes a good point. Citizens should be in charge of redistricting. But I'm not sure if the exact way he outlines is the correct way.
To reply to this "omit" person:
Although you have the point that citizens should control redistricting, but in 2001 there was no public outcry to change the maps and as of right now, at least more than 60% of the testimony that has been given at the hearings (unless they were shut down) are AGAINST redistricting. There are more important matters,school finance (which still has NO solution up to this point), like a two medical schools on the border of Texas, ... which again, is not in the laundry list of items to be considered in this session.
The bi-partisan idea is great, but we should do that in 2011, when redistricting is suppose to be done.
The people have made it clear during the hearings, we don't it.
