(AUSTIN) — After months of legal wrangling, a San Antonio federal district court has finalized new boundaries for state legislative districts, including those of Senate District 21. The judges removed Northeast Bexar, Dimmit, Frio and Zavala counties from SD 21 and adds Caldwell County, Southeast Travis County, Eastern Hays County, part of Southern Bexar County and the majority of Guadalupe County to the district.

"The court's decision requires me to say goodbye to old friends and say hello to new ones," Senator Zaffirini said. "I will miss representing the many longtime constituents and friends in the counties that SD 21 lost, but I already am interacting with my new constituents and look forward to working harder than ever on their behalf during the 2013 legislative session."

When the new district lines take effect in January, 2013, SD 21 will stretch more than 360 miles from Austin to Starr County on the Rio Grande. While the current SD 21 includes all or part of 17 counties, the new district will include all or part of 18. It will include portions of four metropolitan areas, namely Austin, Corpus Christi, Laredo and San Antonio.

Some of the "new" territory isn't new to Senator Zaffirini. She represented Guadalupe County previously from 1988 to 1992. What's more, as Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, she has worked closely with public higher education institutions that serve Guadalupe, Hays and Travis counties, including Austin Community College, Texas State University-San Marcos and her alma mater, The University of Texas at Austin.

"South and Central Texas are dynamic, diverse regions with much in common," Senator Zaffirini said. "From our fast-growing cities to our farms and ranches, our needs may differ, but our values are the same: faith, family, hard work and respect. We believe in improving educational opportunities for all and share a strong commitment to our very young and very old."

Added to SD 21 are 38,066 persons from Caldwell County, 49,858 from Guadalupe County, 48,090 from Hays County and 142,602 from Travis County.

"Even if future court decisions further impact the district lines, I always will cast each vote in the Texas Senate by balancing the interests of SD 21 with those of our great state," Senator Zaffirini said.

She maintains an open door policy and encourages everyone interested in the legislative process to contact her or her staff via 800/851-1568, Judith.zaffirini@senate.state.tx.us, at her Southern District Office in Laredo (956/722-2293) or at her Northern District Office in San Antonio (210/657-0095). Additional information regarding Senator Zaffirini's legislation is available via her Senate website, www.zaffirini.senate.state.tx.us.

SENATOR JUDITH ZAFFIRINI, D-LAREDO, is a member of the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting. She prioritizes ensuring that communities of interest are kept together and that every Texan has an effective voice in government.

###