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Partial deal on interim maps
Texas Redistricting blog 2/6/12
Breaking: Partial deal on interim maps
Press statement by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott:
AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today issued the following statement on the proposed interim redistricting maps for Texas’ 2012 elections:
“The proposed maps minimize changes to the redistricting plan passed by the Legislature and, as the U. S. Supreme Court required, makes changes only where necessary. The Texas Attorney General’s Office has worked with a wide range of interest groups to incorporate reasonable requests from all parties to the extent possible without compromising the will of the Texas Legislature. Even though these proposed interim maps aren’t fully supported by all interest groups, modifications have been incorporated based on requests made by all parties. Today’s maps should allow the court to finalize the interim redistricting maps in time to have elections in April,” Attorney General Abbott said.
Breaking: Partial deal on interim maps
Press statement by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott:
AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today issued the following statement on the proposed interim redistricting maps for Texas’ 2012 elections:
“The proposed maps minimize changes to the redistricting plan passed by the Legislature and, as the U. S. Supreme Court required, makes changes only where necessary. The Texas Attorney General’s Office has worked with a wide range of interest groups to incorporate reasonable requests from all parties to the extent possible without compromising the will of the Texas Legislature. Even though these proposed interim maps aren’t fully supported by all interest groups, modifications have been incorporated based on requests made by all parties. Today’s maps should allow the court to finalize the interim redistricting maps in time to have elections in April,” Attorney General Abbott said.
Well maybe they've saved a unified April primary. We'll see.
17 replies
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= new reply since forum marked as read
Texas Tribune 2/6/12
AG Offers Redistricting Maps; Says Most Parties Agree
The state unveiled proposed redistricting maps, saying some of the parties in that litigation have signed off on at least some of the lines.
Today is a court-set deadline: Three federal judges in San Antonio told the redistricting parties that they needed to reach an agreement by this afternoon to preserve any hope of holding political primaries on April 3. Those primaries, already delayed from March 6, could be pushed back to May or June if maps aren't in place in time to stage the elections.
Attorney General Greg Abbott announced he had reached agreement on most parts of the maps with most of the parties involved. Notably absent from the deal are the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, the NAACP, and the so-called Davis plaintiffs, who sued over the Senate district maps in Tarrant County.
AG Offers Redistricting Maps; Says Most Parties Agree
The state unveiled proposed redistricting maps, saying some of the parties in that litigation have signed off on at least some of the lines.
Today is a court-set deadline: Three federal judges in San Antonio told the redistricting parties that they needed to reach an agreement by this afternoon to preserve any hope of holding political primaries on April 3. Those primaries, already delayed from March 6, could be pushed back to May or June if maps aren't in place in time to stage the elections.
Attorney General Greg Abbott announced he had reached agreement on most parts of the maps with most of the parties involved. Notably absent from the deal are the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, the NAACP, and the so-called Davis plaintiffs, who sued over the Senate district maps in Tarrant County.
I can't see how Abbott thinks the deal is done if NAACP and MALC are not in agreement with the deal. It looks like MALDEF and LULAC are signing off on the deal but NAACP is not. Abbott has pitted the Latinos against the African Americans. He looks like he succeeded in dividing and conquering.
Michael Li has links to the maps for all Congressional, State Senate and House.
Can't say that I like what they did to Travis. Looks bad for Lloyd right now.
I hope that holds. Really it does not do us justice to see some of the groups settling for some of the crumbs Abbot is throwing at them.
Texas Redistricting blog 2/6/12
San Antonio court: Scheduling orders remain in place absent complete agreement
The San Antonio court entered an order this afternoon telling parties that the court’s scheduling orders would remain in place “in the absence of a general agreement between all Plaintiffs and the State of Texas.”
In short, it does not appear the court is inclined - at this time at least - to move up its schedule for drawing interim maps unless the parties can reach a complete agreement.
San Antonio court: Scheduling orders remain in place absent complete agreement
The San Antonio court entered an order this afternoon telling parties that the court’s scheduling orders would remain in place “in the absence of a general agreement between all Plaintiffs and the State of Texas.”
In short, it does not appear the court is inclined - at this time at least - to move up its schedule for drawing interim maps unless the parties can reach a complete agreement.
Michael Li has a link to the court order on his blog.
Lone Star Project
February 6, 2012
(703) 589-5509 - Fax (202) 547- 8258
Contact: Matt Angle
AG’s Congressional Plan Betrays Texas Minority Voters
Key Plaintiff groups file advisory informing Court of opposition to AG Proposal
The congressional redistricting proposal announced earlier today continues Texas Republicans’ dishonest attack on voters. Even though minorities made up 80 percent of the new Texas population over the last decade and were solely responsible for Texas gaining four new congressional seats, the AG’s proposal likely will not result in any additional minority opportunity districts.
Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott is seeking cover for his cynical proposal by citing the support of one plaintiff group and opportunistic elected officials like Congressman Henry Cuellar. Henry Cuellar, of course, has a long history of betraying Latino voters and his constituents to appease high-level Republicans. During the 2001 and 2003 Texas redistricting battles, Cuellar aligned himself with Tom DeLay.
In response, prominent groups who oppose the AG’s plan filed a formal advisory with the San Antonio Federal Court earlier today. Among others, they include, the National Office of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the NAACP, the Gonzales Plaintiffs and the Quesda/Veasey Plaintiffs. A copy of their advisory to the Court can be seen here. The Mexican American Legislative Caucus also opposes the AG's plan. The MALC statement can be seen here.
Under the current congressional plan, minority voters have the opportunity to elect their candidate of choice in 11 of 32 districts, or 34.4 percent. Under the AG’s proposed interim plan, the number is likely reduced to only 11 of 36 districts, which is only 30.5 percent. Abbott's proposal is another example of Texas Republican leaders choosing to attack and reduce the voting strength of Texas Hispanics and African Americans rather than treating the communities with respect and simply working to earn their votes.
From the beginning, the AG has refused to negotiate with all parties and now is playing fast and loose with press statements purporting to have more support than actually exists.
After spending what is likely millions of taxpayer dollars on expensive outside legal counsel, and after losing key rulings before two federal courts, the Attorney General still refuses to agree to discuss fair plans. The supposed compromise map is no more than a slightly tweaked version of the state’s illegal legislatively-enacted map. The Lone Star Project-supported plaintiffs will continue to pursue action in the San Antonio and DC District courts to ensure that the voting rights of Texas voters are upheld.
AG’s Plan Likely Gives Anglo Republicans Control of All Four Additional Texas Seats
In the Districts below, Hispanic and/or African American voters reliably elected their candidate of choice in most elections in 2008 and 2010 and qualify as minority ability-to-elect districts. As is evident, the AG’s plan has a net increase of zero new minority opportunity districts.
Current Plan
District 9 (Al Green)
District 15 (Hinojosa)
District 16 (Reyes)
District 18 (Jackson Lee)
District 20 (Gonzalez)
District 23 (Canseco)
District 25 (Doggett)
District 27 (Farenthold)
District 28 (Cuellar)
District 29 (G Green)
District 30 (EB Johnson)
Total: 11
AG’s Proposed Plan
District 9 (Al Green)
District 15 (Hinojosa)
District 16 (Reyes)
District 18 (Jackson Lee)
District 20 (Gonzalez)
District 28 (Cuellar)
District 29 (G Green)
District 30 (EB Johnson)
District 33 (new Dallas)
District 34 (new Cameron County)
District 35 (new Austin/SA)
Total: 11
Key excerpt from Plaintiffs Advisory in opposition to AG’s Proposal
We understand that the Court indicated in its February 2nd order that, if the April 3 primary was to remain in place, “all parties” should submit an agreed interim map by today. That will not be happening. None of the parties to this submission has joined in or has any plans to join in any proposed agreement with the state, in the person of the Texas Attorney General, as to interim maps for the districting plans at issue in this dispute. Some have been contacted by the Office of the Texas Attorney General about discussing potential areas of agreement; others have not been contacted in that regard at all. In any event, no agreement has been reached, and none is foreseeable.
To see the entire brief, click here.
Congressman Henry Cuellar, that dog always putting his needs first!
Brains and Eggs blog 2/6/12
And starring Greg Abbott as P.T. Barnum
It was fairly good fun watching the attorney general of Texas try to pull a fast one today, and getting slapped before he could draw his hand out of the cookie jar.
(snip)
In other words, Greg Abbott is his usual sorry ass lying bastard self, everyone in Texas (and quite a few people in Washington DC) know it, and nothing much has really changed with regard to the clusterfuck that is Texas redistricting.
And starring Greg Abbott as P.T. Barnum
It was fairly good fun watching the attorney general of Texas try to pull a fast one today, and getting slapped before he could draw his hand out of the cookie jar.
(snip)
In other words, Greg Abbott is his usual sorry ass lying bastard self, everyone in Texas (and quite a few people in Washington DC) know it, and nothing much has really changed with regard to the clusterfuck that is Texas redistricting.
Perry's got quite a few links to other blogs on his update, plus just plain old making fun of the spoon fed media whores.
Juanita Jean's blog 2/6/12
And Greg Abbott’s Butt
(snip)
Come to find out, the “some parties” appear to be Greg Abbott, a very small group of conservative Hispanics, Greg Abbott’s butt, some of Greg Abbott’s imaginary friends, and a drunk guy passed out in front of the Baptist Church in Sanger, Texas, claiming to be Randy Travis.
Today was the deadline to reach an agreement in order to have an April 3rd primary and Abbott played games. With his butt. He announced an agreement with one small group and said to Texas voters, “Come and get it!”
(snip)
Left out of the agreement was (LULAC), the NAACP, the entire Democratic Party, the Gonzales Plaintiffs and the Quesda/Veasey Plaintiffs. The Mexican American Legislative Caucus also opposes the Abbott’s plan.
Faster than a bullet with legs, the San Antonio three judge panel (two of who were appointed by Republicans) told the parties to keep negotiating, which means they were not impressed with Greg Abbott’s hiney, either.
One day when I’ve had a little more to drink, I’m gonna tell you all about a punk named Congressman Henry Goddam Cuellar, a Democrat who sells out Hispanics. He aligned himself with Tom Delay during the last redistricting. Greg Abbott now holds his leash. He calls himself a Blue Dog Democrat, but only because there is no official Worthless Jerk Idiot Damn Twit Dog Democrat caucus. I’m serious as a heart attack.
And Greg Abbott’s Butt
(snip)
Come to find out, the “some parties” appear to be Greg Abbott, a very small group of conservative Hispanics, Greg Abbott’s butt, some of Greg Abbott’s imaginary friends, and a drunk guy passed out in front of the Baptist Church in Sanger, Texas, claiming to be Randy Travis.
Today was the deadline to reach an agreement in order to have an April 3rd primary and Abbott played games. With his butt. He announced an agreement with one small group and said to Texas voters, “Come and get it!”
(snip)
Left out of the agreement was (LULAC), the NAACP, the entire Democratic Party, the Gonzales Plaintiffs and the Quesda/Veasey Plaintiffs. The Mexican American Legislative Caucus also opposes the Abbott’s plan.
Faster than a bullet with legs, the San Antonio three judge panel (two of who were appointed by Republicans) told the parties to keep negotiating, which means they were not impressed with Greg Abbott’s hiney, either.
One day when I’ve had a little more to drink, I’m gonna tell you all about a punk named Congressman Henry Goddam Cuellar, a Democrat who sells out Hispanics. He aligned himself with Tom Delay during the last redistricting. Greg Abbott now holds his leash. He calls himself a Blue Dog Democrat, but only because there is no official Worthless Jerk Idiot Damn Twit Dog Democrat caucus. I’m serious as a heart attack.
Off The Kuff blog 2/7/12
The numbers in the “deal”
(snip)
For comparison sake, here’s my analysis of the original interim map and of the Lege-drawn map. What was originally 26-10 in favor of the GOP, then briefly became 23-13, is now either likely somewhere between 25-11 and 23-13, depending on if Rep. Quico Canseco can hold on and if Nick Lampson can win CD14. Note that this is more or less the screw-Doggett map with new Dem districts in the D/FW area and in South Texas, which if it stands might put the kibosh on Joaquin Castro’s assignment for the DCCC and would leave Roger Williams in the cold while bringing Michael Williams back into the game. Smokey Joe Barton gets a little help, Blake Farenthold no longer has to worry about a Harris County challenger, and the heir apparent to Charlie Gonzalez is up in the air.
The numbers in the “deal”
(snip)
For comparison sake, here’s my analysis of the original interim map and of the Lege-drawn map. What was originally 26-10 in favor of the GOP, then briefly became 23-13, is now either likely somewhere between 25-11 and 23-13, depending on if Rep. Quico Canseco can hold on and if Nick Lampson can win CD14. Note that this is more or less the screw-Doggett map with new Dem districts in the D/FW area and in South Texas, which if it stands might put the kibosh on Joaquin Castro’s assignment for the DCCC and would leave Roger Williams in the cold while bringing Michael Williams back into the game. Smokey Joe Barton gets a little help, Blake Farenthold no longer has to worry about a Harris County challenger, and the heir apparent to Charlie Gonzalez is up in the air.
Charles Kuffner does the spreadsheet analysis of the bum deal Abbot tried to pass off in the courts yesterday. Lousy, lousy maps. Thankful that some of the groups are smarter and held out for a better deal. Those Abbott maps yesterday stunk to high heaven.
Texas Redistricting blog 2/7/12
Q&A about the interim maps and Texas primary
Answers to some questions that have come in.
Who’s where on the partial deal announced yesterday by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott?
As of right now, the Texas Latino Redistricting Task Force, Congressman Henry Cuellar (D, TX-28) and Congressman Quico Canseco (R, TX-23) are signed off on the maps proposed by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott. The Republican Party of Texas also has issued a statement supportive of the maps.
The maps are opposed by:
the Mexican-American Legislative Caucus,
LULAC,
the NAACP,
State Senator Wendy Davis,
the three African-American members of Congress,
the Travis County plaintiffs,
the Perez plaintiffs,
the Texas Democratic Party and
Congressman Joe Barton (R, TX-6).
Although it is not a party to the San Antonio case, the Texas Black Legislative Caucus also opposes the maps.
Is an April 3 primary dead?
In a word, yes.
Q&A about the interim maps and Texas primary
Answers to some questions that have come in.
Who’s where on the partial deal announced yesterday by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott?
As of right now, the Texas Latino Redistricting Task Force, Congressman Henry Cuellar (D, TX-28) and Congressman Quico Canseco (R, TX-23) are signed off on the maps proposed by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott. The Republican Party of Texas also has issued a statement supportive of the maps.
The maps are opposed by:
the Mexican-American Legislative Caucus,
LULAC,
the NAACP,
State Senator Wendy Davis,
the three African-American members of Congress,
the Travis County plaintiffs,
the Perez plaintiffs,
the Texas Democratic Party and
Congressman Joe Barton (R, TX-6).
Although it is not a party to the San Antonio case, the Texas Black Legislative Caucus also opposes the maps.
Is an April 3 primary dead?
In a word, yes.
Henry Cuellar should lose his seat. I do so wish he had a primary challenger. He's an Aaron Pena style traitor.
