Redistricting Now in the Hands of the Full Senate

AUSTIN - Capping nearly a month's worth of meetings, in Austin and across the state, the Senate Jurisprudence Committee voted on a Congressional Redistricting bill this morning, Wednesday, July 23, 2003.

House Bill 3 by Representative Joe Crabb, was sponsored by Senator Todd Staples, and received a slim 4-3 vote in favor, passing the bill on to the senate floor. The Congressional Map went through several incarnations before plan #1327C was passed out of committee. The bill can be eligible as early as Friday, July 25, for a vote on the Senate Floor.

Jurisprudence chairman, Sen. Robert Duncan allowed each member of the committee to speak before the vote. Vice Chairman, Senator Mario Gallegos spoke in opposition to the bill, referring to the public testimony taken throughout the state, which was largely against a redistricting plan. Other members of the committee include Senator Kip Averitt, Senator Chris Harris, Senator Eddie Lucio, and Senator Royce West, as well as Sen. Staples, the bill's sponsor. The committee recessed subject to call of the chair.

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