Bipartisan Redistricting Deals Takes a Blow in Texas Senate

In 2011 the Texas Legislature drew congressional district maps that were considered to favor the Republican Party and also discriminate against minority groups, by federal courts. Although the new maps were drawn up because of a large influx of the minority populations they failed to allocate proper districts that had a majority of the new immigrant population of Texas. The author of this article reported that a special Senate committee on redistricting voted to approve the maps of congressional and legislative districts that were drawn up by Rick Perry and Greg Abbott. Minority groups threatened to sue if the Legislature adopts these recently Senate-approved maps, but there is still a vote left in the House. There have been speculations that the House might have to make a political deal to resolve the dispute over the redistricting issue that has waged on since 2011.

When the maps were drawn up in 2011 there were obvious signs of gerrymandering that took place in order to spread out the minority votes into multiple districts. With the hard pressing minority groups taking political action against the wrongful redistricting appropriations, there could be a major change in the upcoming elections. The author appears to be indifferent about the topic issue, but rather gives factual evidence that describes the current situation in the Texas Legislature. The information provided is relevant, and will affect all citizens of Texas with potentially drastic changes in the next few years. In my personal opinion this decision could potentially turn Texas into a battle ground swing state in the next decade of politics.