The House Redistricting Committee met on September 9 to hear public testimony concerning the Texas redistricting process based on the 2020 U.S. Census data. A video of the hearing can be found here.
This report is intended to give you an overview and highlight of the discussions on the various topics taken up. It is not a verbatim transcript of the discussions but is based upon what was audible or understandable to the observer and the desire to get details out as quickly as possible with few errors or omissions.
Opening Comments
Chair Todd Hunter
- Chairs Morrison, Moody, Turner, Anchia, and Rose attended virtually
Public Testimony
Tim Dowling, Self
- Lives is Corpus Christie, an Independent Redistricting Committee (IRC) is the best way to ensure that redistricting is fair
- Argues that if Texas had an IRC, there would be no need to hold a 3rd Special Session
- Because of the large population increase of minorities, as reported by the 2020 Census data, the 2 new representatives should be advocates of minority communities
Stephen Pogue, Self
- Resident of Mesquite Texas
- Argues that Mesquite is a minority majority community that deserves to be a part of a district that values minority needs
- Rose- Are you aware of how many Reps represent Mesquite?
- I’m not sure, only know my own Representative
- Rose- There are currently 4; Do you think it would be better to have 2 representatives rather than the 4 they have now?
- I think Mesquite should have a rep who looks like the people who live there, I also think the people of Mesquite should feel heard in general
Denise Gordon, Dem Voters of PCT 332, Texas Democratic Veterans & Wilco
- Member of Williamson County
- Argues that previous redistricting has not promoted democracy and wants equity for Texans
- Wants to get rid of gerrymandering so that Reps are more representative of the district they are serving
Richard Kennedy, Self
- Lives in Travis County
- Believes gerrymandering is a huge threat to Texas communities and that it has caused corruption among congress
- Urges committee to be more transparent with their redistricting and allow for public opinion
Sarah Laipis Eno, Self
- Resident of Oakhill neighborhood in Travis County
- Wants to have representatives that understand her concerns but her current district is split between urban and rural communities
- Urges committee to stop gerrymandering