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The Senate Special Committee on Redistricting met on January 26th to discuss the matter of redistricting in the South Texas area. The Committee received invited and public testimony. A video of the hearing can be found here.

 

The HillCo report below is a summary of remarks intended to give you an overview and highlight of the discussions on the various topics discussed. This report is not a verbatim transcript; it 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.

 

Dr. Lloyd Potter, Texas State Demographer

  • Largely focused on Demographic changes seen in South Texas
  • Provides information on how Census counts are used and their importance to our democracy
  • Texas currently stands projected to gain 3 additional house seats
  • Population shifts/growth require redrawing of congressional and state legislative district boundaries
  • Census date also used to allocate federal funds to support many state managed programs
  • Apportionment file delayed; now sent to POTUS by March 6 at the earliest
  • Date for the Redistricting Data File to be received by Governor is currently unknown
  • Traditionally the numbers are released to states in groups of 8 states per week, with Texas usually at the beginning with one-week prior notice
  • Texas will now most likely have to come back for a special session to finish redistricting
  • Huffman – You say the redistricting file being sent to the Governor date is unknown, what is the traditional date for these to be received?
    • Historically, and by law, all data should be delivered to all states by April 1
    • Historically Texas receives data around February
  • Huffman – So it takes a few weeks on average depending on other factors?
    • Yes; we are looking at sometime in May or June
    • With challenges for Census Bureau in terms of processing it could be longer
  • Census Bureau estimates as of July 1, 2020 Texas’ population grew by over 4 million in the past decade
  • Are the second fastest growing state in the US; if these numbers hold true it is estimated that Texas will receive 2-3 new seats
  • Provides map of numeric population change in Texas by counties with current Texas Senate Districts; most dramatic growth population growth has been in urban corners of Texas
  • Map implies the counties that have lost population are going to need to be bigger geographically to meet population threshold and counties with added population may need to be drawn smaller
  • Permian Basin counties, including Andrews, are adding population quickly
  • Collin County and counties between SA/ATX are dense and growing quickly; likely they will have to be drawn smaller
  • Provides 2010 Census Tracts and proposed Census Tract splits; ideal size of Census tract is about 4,000 people and will add or split other tracts accordingly to get as close to this as possible
  • Provides figures on projected population by Race and Ethnicity
    • Estimated by end of 2021 or 2022 there will be more Hispanics in Texas than non-Hispanic whites
    • Asian population in Texas also growing very quickly and the Latino population has driven more than half of population growth
  • Highlights Demographic Center redistricting resources (link)
  • Menendez – As you provide us this expert advice, you have been a demographer for how long now?
    • Was appointed by the Governor in 2021
  • Menendez – What is the function of Texas Demographic Center?
    • Pseudo-Gov agency supported by the legislature all through special items funded at UTSA
    • Nominated by Speaker of the House and the Lt. Gov., and appointed by Governor
  • Menendez – Do you expect an undercount in South Texas?
    • Historically there have been South Texas undercounts, especially evidence of it in 2010; some contested count resolution concerns there and other parts of state
    • Has been strong undercount evidence in Rio Grande Valley and Laredo
  • Menendez – Is there a way to correct an undercount before numbers are released? If so, what is the process?
    • No way to correct an undercount that the Census Bureau does not catch; Census currently assessing where there might be problems and trying to find solutions before numbers are released
    • Census Bureau is no longer collecting field data, but if there is a household that was enumerated, they will fill the data for that household with reliable administrative data
    • Committee will be provided with info on count resolution and if the Census Bureau criteria is met an adjustment to count can be made
  • Menendez – You explained self-response rates are the most accurate; what was the percentage that this region lagged?
    • Does not currently have that info but can get it; thinks lower Rio Grande Value was a star in count efforts
    • Information is publicly available and can be forwarded
  • Menendez – Concern is not just political reapportionment but the resources that people will go without; wants to eliminate chances of inaccurate data
    • Count resolution process can help; will not be incorporated into the redistricting file, but adjustments can be made to the Census numbers
  • Menendez – Is that opinion or practical nature of this data?
    • Nature of the data; for U.S. Congressional seats you must use PL-149
  • Menendez – I thought we had to use the most accurate data?
    • Redistricting file is used for U.S. Congressional seats; is not sure what needs to be used for state redistricting, but supposes you wait until final count numbers are delivered
  • Menendez – I am assuming because of the pandemic, we have not been able to take normal precautions to get accurate date, would you agree?
    • Yes, concerns about accuracy as a result of the anomalies in the execution this year
    • Bureau has had to work on the fly to make adjustments, but have done the best they can under these circumstance
  • Whitmire – What would you say to the national discussion about just starting over? With such a major change in attitude with new administration, will we ever have an accurate Census count? Can you help us to have more confidence in the Census? How confident are you with the numbers?
    • Cannot really speak to confidence at this point because he has not seen the data; once released, he will compare Census data with the Demographic Center estimates
    • Anticipates differences since projections and estimates are not counts, uses the Census as the gold standard and basis for all projections
    • A local entity or state or county can test the count if they can provide evidence, it can be corrected and it will give better foundation for balance of decade
  • Whitmire – Have you ever seen the Census count so politicized? Does not know how its feasible to start over, but there are fears about the accuracy of the count. How can we go forward with these doubts? Can you help me with some concern about the accuracy and the way the Census was conducted?
    • Our office is non-partisan and we are civil servants working hard for everyone to see the numbers as valid and good
    • Maintain our stance of being a resource to all Texans and politicians regardless of affiliation
  • Whitmire – You said you worked closely with secretary of state; is that not political office?
    • Our work was primarily advisory, we make suggestions to the Secretary of State
    • There are concerns in every Census, not just this one; spoke about concerns of the politization yesterday
    • Just need to get the data and make sure no one has concerns about political affiliation
    • Census Bureau is working to address issues of undercount; believes data will be acceptable for redistricting but does not know that for sure
    • It will be up to the committee to figure out how to use the data
  • Whitmire – What is the history of your position; how are you hired, by who?
    • Professor at UTSA, appointed by legislation that creates the office of the state Demographer
  • Whitmire – But who chooses you? How often are you reappointed?
    • The Governor; originally appointed by Perry and Abbott just continued his appointment
  • Whitmire – How long is your term?
    • Lasts until the governor decides to replace
  • Whitmire – So, you will be in the role until Abbott tells you not to be?
    • Yes, or until I decide to retire
  • Huffman – You do not work with the Census Bureau, but you work with the data and create your own projections/do your own research?
    • Correct, I do not; and yes
  • Huffman – Texas state Constitution requires that legislation uses Census Bureau numbers to draw maps of projection?
    • I assume that is correct
  • Huffman – You seemed to indicate legislature could use another set of data to draw numbers, where do you get that from?
    • My own ignorance, assumes that there are some other numbers to use
  • Huffman – I do not mean this to be rude, but in your words you are ignorant on that specific subject?
    • Yes, I have not read the constitutional language
  • Huffman – I would say that the Secretary of State office is more managerial than a political office, and if that is true, we could say the same about your position, correct?
    • I would say that is true
  • Huffman – So you did not mean to indicate that your work with the Secretary of State was in any way political, is that correct?
    • Not at all, it was all focused on getting the Census count out
  • Huffman – Have you dealt with anyone trying to politicize the count?
    • No, I have not
  • Hinojosa – Talked on higher response rates, how did you get to that conclusion?
    • Local Get Out the Count efforts, local politicians, the number of events in the valley trying to raise participation, and stress participation
  • Hinojosa – Almost every Census, there has been a lawsuit filed requesting an increase in the count; are you aware of that?
    • I am aware
  • Hinojosa – There are actual ways of challenging and making sure everyone is counted through litigation/appeals; in my experience the Census Bureau has been very responsive
    • Yes, everyone is very focused on being of service to communities and states

 

Public Testimony

Jennifer Ramos, Texas Democratic Party

  • Lifetime constituent of SD 21; have lived in Laredo and now in SE Austin
  • Travis County has more in common with South Texas and Laredo than before
  • District faces several inequities such as access to healthcare (and other resources) especially in SD 21, hopes that these issues are taken into account

 

Evie Proctor, MOVE Texas

  • Am a Houston native working with MOVE Texas to build power in underrepresented youth communities
  • Speaking out against gerrymandering and requesting non-partisan redistricting
  • Texas ranks at the top in voter suppression; redistricting will shape voting for the next ten years and directly affects the most vulnerable of the population
  • Calls for maps to reflect the diversity of Texas; young people of color deserve to be represented

 

Tim Dowling, Self

  • References letter sent online; highlights Texas’ racially polarized voting as indicated by Perez vs. Abbott
  • If redistricting is used to create more republican seats, they are silencing minority voters; this is against federal law
  • Endorses the specifics of the fair open process advocated by Fair Maps Texas
  • Calls for redistricting process to be handled by and independent redistricting commission so politics do not affect the drawings
  • Asks a hearing is held for the Senate equivalent for HB 282 regarding establishing and IRC; hopes Sen. Menendez reintroduces his IRC bill
  • Notes redistricting lines must be drawn to prevent future events such as what occurred at the Capitol

 

Dustin Haltom, MOVE Texas

  • Works to get young Texans involved in voting
  • Highlights effects of gerrymandering and the geographical zoning effects it brings, namely in his experience at UT Austin
  • Stresses the Senate cannot afford to let young people to think that their votes are meaningless, most disadvantaged are voiceless due to gerrymandering

 

Olivia Countryman, Self

  • Underscores importance and difficulty of public participation
  • Calls for committee to move away from political gerrymandering, insists for public meeting to be called to allow community members to see and discuss maps
  • Neighborhoods should vote together and have shared representation

 

Jeremy Fleming, MOVE Texas

  • HD 104 is one of the most confusing and unintuitive in the state; outlines which areas are included
  • Stresses importance of making voting districts more accessible
  • Recent Census was underfunded from federal level; this will affect local economies
  • Calls for a fair, intuitive, transparent, non-partisan redistricting process

 

Myra Dumapias, Self

  • Highlights growth of Asian population in Texas; highlights Asian Americans are subject to voter suppression
  • Calls for speaking up for population groups that are underrepresented as a necessity for fairness and not as a political act
  • Asks there 14 days for public to review maps before a hearing is held and with a 5-day warning if maps undergo any changes

 

Nina Perales, MALDEF

  • Represented task force in litigation for a past redistricting case; highlights minority suppression in the last redistricting cycle
  • Estimated that Latino presence grew by over 15% and Latino’s are the largest ethnic group in three of Texas’ biggest counties
  • Recommends in the next redistricting cycle should: reflect Latino growth and process should be transparent/available to the public for commentary
  • Menendez – Are you saying that we should we open hearings again for feedback after we receive the numbers?
    • Yes, that is critical
  • Menendez – Are there any lessons we can apply from last time?
    • Yes, most basic is to draw redistricting lines that reflect demographic changes
  • Menendez – As we do this, what organization other than yours joined you in the lawsuit last redistricting?
    • Many parties, including Latino voters, African American voters, Asian American voters, Mexican American Legislative Caucus, etc.
    • A significant amount of money it put into, and will be put into, legislative action
  • Menendez – No offense to lawyers, but I would rather use tax dollars to fund Texas schools, communities, etc. so we need to ensure maps are drawn correctly initially

 

Eric Holguin, Self

  • SD 20 member; gerrymandering only increases political polarization
  • Communities of color in Nueces County feel disenfranchised due to gerrymandering/feeling like their vote does not count
  • SD 20 does not currently reflect the values/culture of communities of color
  • Believes Port Aransas needs to be in SD 18 with the rest of Nueces County

 

Sue Ann Pyle, Self

  • Concerned that Republicans got 52% of the vote, but have 63% of the representation
  • Only 1% of Nueces County is in SD 18; SD 18 should be redrawn so Port Aransas is included with the rest of Nueces County

 

Reynaldo Trevino, Self

  • Wants to be sure the process is fairness and transparent
  • Most concerned about an accurate Census count; his county turn out was only 45-50% despite many efforts to make reporting accessible
  • Census would not share information with him about which areas within his county needed to be focused on for counting
  • Asks Sen. Menendez to open a study to see how the Census got to their claimed 99% accurate claim, questions the data they used and how it came to be

 

Elaine Jones, Texas AFT & Texas ARA

  • Concerned about keeping neighborhoods in the same district
  • Worked for Nueces Together; found many people did not want to participate in the Census and they had ideas that it was a political conspiracy

 

Victor Vasquez, Self

  • Is a member of SD 21 and expresses gratitude for Sen. Zaffirini; highlights importance of Laredo-Austin connection
  • Despite urban and rural differences in the district, they are connected; asks that impact of all decisions on this community is considered

 

Jordyn Middlebrooks, Self

  • Lives in TX-35, known as the 4th most gerrymandered district in the US; area is becoming increasingly more gentrified as more move into Austin
  • Demands the following actions:
  • Fair, open, transparent redistricting process that includes minority groups and enables communities of interest to stay together, notes 6th street is cut into 7 districts, should include nest districts
  • Asking for legislation to pass through the house/senate that authorizes and independent redistricting commission that vets for conflicts of interest between members
  • For public hearings, should be introductions of alternative map options and explanations for past map drawings and why they deviate
  • Believes no voter data should be used when redistricting
  • Demands that community participation be made more accessible, difficult to miss work
  • Asks for Federal level support for advocation of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancements Act HR 4
  • Ask for support of the Pass the For the People Act HR 1