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Saturday, April 26, 1997

Senate approves redistricting bill

By CHIP BROWN Associated Press Writer

AUSTIN (AP) - Senate districts drawn as the result of a 1995 lawsuit settlement would be retained through 2000 and senators would keep their staggered terms under a bill approved by the Senate.

The bill, by Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos, D-Austin, if approved by the House, would end litigation stemming from a lawsuit filed by Senate Republicans who argued certain Senate districts had been racially gerrymandered.

The measure was approved 28-0 without debate on Friday. It now goes to the House.

After both sides in the lawsuit agreed to redrawn districts in 1995 and submitted the plan to a three-judge panel in federal court, state District Judge John Dietz in Austin ruled that all the senators would have to run for re-election in 1998, if the Legislature adopted the plan.

The ruling was based on the fact that the Texas Constitution requires all state senators to run for re-election each time districts are redrawn - also known as "apportionment" - usually once every 10 years after the U.S. census count is released.

But the 3rd Court of Appeals ruled earlier this month that if the 1997 Legislature adopts the plan reached in the settlement, the senators wouldn't all have to run for re-election next year.

Texas Attorney General Dan Morales announced Thursday that he wouldn't appeal the 3rd Court's ruling.

Due to redistricting changes in 1994, the state's 31 senators drew lots to determine two-year and four-year terms. The state staggers the terms to ensure that the Senate always has the service of experienced members.

Fifteen senators were required to run in 1996, while 16 drew lots to run in 1998. Those lots would remain intact if the Legislature approves Barrientos' bill, keeping the current districts intact for the 1998 and 2000 elections.

Sen. David Sibley, R-Waco, had proposed legislation that would redraw Senate lines to make McLennan County all part of one district.

But Sibley said Friday he had withdrawn his bill because making any changes to Senate lines would require that all senators run for re-election next year.

"Since the 3rd Court upheld the Senate's position, I'm going to leave that alone," Sibley said.

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The redistricting bill is SB715. Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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