#txlege Senate redistricting hearings testimony guide

#txlege Senate redistricting hearings testimony guide

Last week, the Senate took steps to start the redistricting process once again. Senator Huffman filed legislation (SB375) that would “ratify” the exact same senate map that was passed last fall in a special session. This is, in part, due to their interpretation of the state constitution that says redistricting must occur in a regular, legislative session.

During session Texas Senate adopted Senate Resolution 2 (SR2), which calls for virtual, regional public input hearings to be held to collect public input on the map. The question is why hold multiple public hearings when you plan to adopt the exact same map? These hearings are nothing but a sham. They are an illusion of a fair and open process.

We do not want to lose some of the legislative record that was created during the special session (testimony, committee layouts, floor debates, etc.). Much of this previous work was included in the record for the lawsuits that have been filed challenging the current map.

It is crucial that you provide testimony once again, in case we have to recreate the legislative record. See this deck, courtesy of Common Cause and League of Women Voters, for a testimony guide (downloads PDF).

Plan to submit your written testimony by Jan 28th, the last day of the virtual hearings. https://senate.texas.gov/redistrictingcomment/

SENATE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON REDISTRICTING REGIONAL HEARING DATES AND FOCUS AREAS

January 25, 2023 – 1pm Regional focus: West Texas
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0rcOuvqT8tH9OVuEYc9y7gpDR6Qjur3Uos

January 26, 2023 – 9am Regional focus: South Texas
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAufuigpz4iHNAijmdt4-y8lUPESalwn2E0

January 26, 2023 – 1pm Regional focus: North Texas
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMsfuyqqz0qHdRm1Q22UAlmiltz-3c_OoZ5

January 27, 2023 – 10am Regional focus: Central Texas
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMtdeutqzoqGtA4ezDw1pIzGrFjgiOvnhV5

January 27, 2023 – 3pm Regional focus: East Texas
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYucOisrjMqGNRep_6zzw7SXf9rihou9KNK

January 28, 2023 – 10 am All Regions
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwscuqhrTItHdUoDCqU4Bsak92bmou_Fm6b

*All testimony is welcome at any hearing, regardless of the regional focus. Pursuant to Senate Resolution 2 (88th R.S.), public testimony at these regional hearings will be by Zoom videoconference only. Details on how to register to testify appear in the publicly posted notice of each of these regional hearings.

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