We're Holding the Line Against Redistricting in Texas -- so far!

[Zan_of_Texas]

YOU CAN HELP!

Tom DeLay continues to attempt to force his will on the Texas state legislature. But, we're holding him off!

First, the Killer D's fled the state to avoid a quorum.

Constituents have trooped to hearings all over the state, and have voiced their outrage at the redistricting scheme.

Now, a Republican senior member of the Senate, Ratliff, has flipped over to our side, in the interest of not destroying every shred of fair play and collegiality in the place.

Support the Hold-the-Line group in the Texas Senate! Here's the info. Predictions before the special session were that we could NOT muster the support to prevent DeLay's twisted redistricting plan, so this is some kinda victory -- so far. Dewhurst has some parliamentary maneuvers up his sleeve though. (Hey, if they're willing to send Homeland Security to find the missing Killer D's, they're willing to pull all KINDS of stuff!)

DeLay's state redistricting scheme, which he already did in Colorado, would result in the R's targeting certain liberal districts to be split up, and would result in more R's being elected to the U.S. House. It is also being done after only two years, when normal practice is every ten years.

(Tinfoil hat: Also, if you have brand new districts, AND you are able to steal votes with electronic voting equipment, it makes it even HARDER to discern because there is no history of how a district votes!)

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ACTION ALERT FROM REPRESENTATIVE GARNET COLEMAN


Dear Texan,

The time has come for us to take action by calling, faxing, emailing and sending mail to all 12 of our Democratic State Senators, and Senator Ratliff to thank them for "holding the line" against this illegitimate redistricting.

We all received the news of Republican Sen. Bill Ratliff's opposition to the sham redistricting with great joy, but remember that this fight is NOT OVER YET! Our Senate Members have heard the voices of their constituents, and have acted in the highest tradition of Texas statesmen.

It is very important that we phone, fax, email, and mail our senators to give them our thanks. They have held the line for us in this issue, and we must encourage them to continue to hold on.

All 13 State Senators need to receive a communication in every form: call, fax, email and mail. I have included a sample message, and contact information sheet for your use. Please contact each individual Senator with your message of support.

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Senator,

I want to thank you for representing me in this fight against redistricting! I know how hard it must be to stand against pressure from Tom DeLay, Rick Perry, and Lt. Governor Dewhurst. I, and all of my friends support you 100% in this fight.

I understand that the battle is not won yet, and that there is still work to be done. Know that "I have your back" against this illegitimate power grab!

Your constituents can all be proud that they have elected statesmen and women.

Thank You,


Your Name

It is very important that your elected officials know that they are not alone in this fight! Please contact all 12 of our Democratic Senators, and Senator Ratliff by phone, fax, email and mail with your message of support.

Respectfully,

State Rep. Garnet F. Coleman


To mail individual members of the Texas Senate, the address is:

Senator's Full Name
P.O. Box 12068
Austin, TX 78711-2068

To email individual members of the Texas Senate, the email address is:

[e-mail]
(for example: [e-mail])

Sen. Kenneth Armbrister
Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos
Sen. Mario Gallegos
Sen. Rodney Ellis
Sen. John Whitmire
Sen. Eddie Lucio
Sen. Royce West
Sen. Frank Madla
Sen. Juan Hinojosa
Sen. Judith Zaffirini
Sen. Leticia Van de Putte
Sen. Eliot Shapleigh
Sen. Bill Ratliff


To call or fax members of the Texas Senate:

. . . Name . . . . . . . Phone . . . . . . . Fax . . .

Sen. Bill Ratliff . . . 512-463-0101 . . 512-475-3751

Sen. Ken Armbrister . . 512-463-0118 . . 512-475-3736

Sen. Mario Gallegos . . 512-463-0106 . . 512-463-0346

Sen. Rodney Ellis . . . 512-463-0113 . . 512-463-0006

Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos . 512-463-0114 . . 512-463-5949

Sen. John Whitmire . . . 512-463-0115 . . 512-475-3737

Sen. Frank Madla . . . . 512-463-0119 . . 512-463-1017

Sen. Juan Hinojosa . . . 512-463-0120 . . 512-463-0229

Sen. Judith Zaffirini . 512-463-0121 . . . 512-475-3738

Sen. Royce West . . . . 512-463-0123 . . . 512-463-0299

Sen. Leticia Van de Putte . 512-463-0126 . 512-463-2114

Sen. Eddie Lucio . . . . . 512-463-0127 . . 512-463-0061

Sen. Eliot Shapleigh . . . 512-463-0129 . . 512-463-0218

[bandy]

1. Thanks for posting

been waiting for news. Hang in there - am hoping and praying for yo'al. DeLay needs his head handed to him on a platter.

[KCDem]

2. I saw the article in yesterday's Chronicle

re. Ratliff. Wow, one of the noble ones. I liked how he commented that the redistricting would force the repugs to vote party line rather than for the good of their own constituents. It's nice to see that (even if it is, somehow, just for his own political gain).

I've got hope for TX.

[GOPisEvil]

3. Let's not crank up the party yet...unfortunately.

http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=77695

<snip>
Gov. Rick Perry is expected to call another special session on redistricting if the Senate impasse continues through the current special session.

Don't underestimate how serious Perry is about redistricting.

He's already told Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst that if senators can't come together on a plan, he'll call a second special session.

"Yes, he did," Dewhurst said in response to a reporter's request for a confirmation.

<snip>

[lastliberalintexas]

5. And Dewhurst said he'll change the rules

There is an LBN thread that talks about Dewhurst's threat to change the long standing Senate rules which require the 2/3 vote back to a simple majority.

However, this could be a blessing in disguise. The same article commented that this has only strengthened and unified the Dems, and ALL of them threatened to leave and break quorum if Dewhurst does this. As I'm sure most people here know, if they don't have a quorum they can't conduct any business, so no vote on the new map.

The question then becomes whether Perry would call another special session, and I think he would. So who would give in first? Would the Dems be able to break quorum indefinitely? (and they'd have to, since Perry can call for special sessions until the proverbial cows come home) Or would the repubs become human beings once again and act in the best interest of the state? Nope, this isn't over at all.

[LiberalLibra]

4. The rethugs here in Colo are happy so I am getting out.....

....to a state not yet invade by the thugs. Believe me I will continue the fightthere as well.

[Zan_of_Texas]

6. Hey, keep it up!

I see over a hundred people have visited this thread. I hope each one can make at least one call or send at least one email. One?

The Ds fighting this are under enormous pressure of all kinds -- Rs dangling gov't projects under their noses for their districts, committee leadership posts -- anything and everything they can think of.

Keep letting them know this is important and we are watching!

[sham]

7. thanks for the info, I'm getting on this right away. (NT)

[PDittie]

8. Woo Hoo! We beat back the barbarians at the gate!

Democratic state senators contemplating a walkout to block congressional redistricting might be constitutionally protected from arrest by state police if they flee the Capitol, a lawyer has advised the senators.

Criminal defense attorney Keith Hampton also told the Senate Democratic Caucus that an arrest by a Senate sergeant at arms or a private security agency to force senators to the Senate floor for a vote might be prosecutable as kidnapping under state law.

"And it gets worse than that. If someone in the Legislature directed them to do that, there is the crime of conspiracy to commit aggravated kidnapping," punishable by up to life in prison, Hampton told the Houston Chronicle Thursday.

As redistricting nears death in the current special legislative session, Gov. Rick Perry has signaled that he may call another session as early as next week to try again to pass a bill.

Sen. Mario Gallegos, D-Houston, said he believes 11 of the Senate's 12 Democrats are committed to a walkout if they decide it is necessary to stop redistricting. He said he hopes Perry will back off and not call another special session.

"I know a stalemate when I see one, and I know when Texans have had enough," Gallegos said.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/2011302