TEXAS LEGISLATURE TAKES UP REDISTRICTING REFORM—The Texas Legislature is looking into changing our redistricting process, and TexPIRG is working to make sure the reform is bona fide.

The Fight For Fairer Districts

Over the last few months, Texas leaders attempted to reform the state’s congressional redistricting process. TexPIRG worked at the Capitol to support any bipartisan commission to handle redistricting, rather than leaving such power in the hands of the state Legislature.

Several redistricting reform bills were filed that would have taken Texas a long way towards fairer districting.

The people are supposed to choose their representatives, not the other way around. Restoring credibility to the state’s redistricting process is an important step in re-establishing trust between the citizens and the government. TexPIRG has made redistricting reform one of its top priorities and will continue to fight for reform in future sessions.

Redistricting’s Bad Legacy
In 2003, the Legislature was strong-armed into passing a blatantly partisan redistricting plan by then-House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, despite strong Democratic opposition that included a flight to Oklahoma by Democratic lawmakers to break the legislative quorum. This episode captured the imagination of the nation and, more importantly, made it clear that the redistricting process in Texas must be reformed if the people are to have any confidence in their state government.

Sen. Jeff Wentworth (San Antonio) has long been a champion on this issue and has re-filed legislation to create a bipartisan commission again this session. Other legislators who have filed similar legislation include Reps. Mark Strama (Austin), Juan Garcia (Corpus Christi), Mike Villarreal (San Antonio) and Patrick Rose (Dripping Spring). TexPIRG strongly supports these initiatives, applauds their bipartisan nature and has been working hard in the Capitol to move them through the legislative process.