The Senate Special Committee on Redistricting met on January 28th to discuss the matter of redistricting in the Central Texas region. The purpose of the regional hearing was to solicit public input on the 2021 legislative redistricting process and provide the public an opportunity to share relevant details about their community. 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.

 

Presentation

Dr. Lloyd Potter – Texas State Demographer

  • Highlights importance of Census for Texas to receive the fair amount of Tax dollars back for support programs
  • Apportionment file normally sent to POTUS by 12/31/2020, now set to be delivered by 4/30/2021 at the earliest
  • Redistricting Data File (PL 94-171 File) traditionally received no later than April 1, delivery will not be before July 30
  • Historically Texas receives this file by early February, now looking at June or July
  • Holds demographic and geographic details; race, age, occupancy status, group quarters by type
  • Numbers could vary in the actual count, but clear that Texas has grown
  • Population added at the rate at about 16.8% and is the second fastest growing state; Texas will gain 2-3 new congressional seats
  • Provides linear forecast of Census Bureau Population Estimates 2010-2020 and TDC Population Projections:
    • Ideal size threshold for SD ranges between 947,000 and 957,000
    • When apportionment and redistricting files are delivered, they will define this number; lines will be redrawn until threshold is met
  • Lots of population added in Lower Rio Grande Area and around the three major urban areas; Areas around Lubbock and Amarillo growing
  • Provides map showing Percent population change in Current TX Senate districts (highlights how fast they are growing
    • Counties around Houston, Dallas, and Austin are growing fast on top of their significant populations
  • Provides map highlighting 2010 Census tracts and Proposed Census tract splits for 2020
    • Essentially having to split Census tracts to meet numbers
    • Central Texas indicates large population growth therefore will need to be examined by senate to bring districts down to meet threshold
    • I-35 Corridor has grown dramatically (Carmel and Hayes county consistently in top numbers for percent growth)
  • Largest Latino growth in terms of population, estimated Latino Population will be even with (and eventually exceed) the non-Hispanic White population; Asian population also growing very quickly
  • 80% of population change can be attributed to growth of minority population in the State
  • Highlights redistricting resources available through the Texas Demographic Center (Link)
  • Highlights resources available about Census Bureau efforts and quality assessments (Link)
  • While there are concerns about undercount due to pandemic related challenges, Census has resources to submit these concerns with evidence to be reconsidered
  • Sen. Eckhardt – With regard to population increase and demographic statistics in Austin/Central Texas area, what is the breakout between birth increase and in migration?
    • Does not have that in front of him, but for the state a little less than half comes from births, more than half comes from net in migration
  • Sen. Eckhardt – I would like to have those; regarding migration, it’s my understanding it appears that migration into the MSA is substantially from inside of Texas
    • More difficult to get and less accurate than statewide in population figures, however, can provide analysis looking at population change within state or out of state earlier in the decade
    • Can provide info on migrants into counties and proportion of in-state vs. out of state, but there is sampling error around these stats
  • Sen. Eckhardt – Even with a substantial error, majority of migration into MSA is from other parts of Texas, do you agree?
    • That is my understanding; with our sampling earlier in the decade there is a substantial amount of in State migration
  • Sen. Eckhardt – Understanding that 51% is in state migration for Austin MSA, is that the number is similar for Dallas and Houston MSA?
    • I believe it is somewhat similar based on what you describe; there are also many foreign migrants in Houston and Dallas MSAs
  • Sen. Eckhardt – It is my understanding based on surveys that about 25% of Austin Round Rock MSA is moving within the MSA; not moving out of the MSA but moving out of urban areas. Is that your understanding?
    • Yes, I think that is a pattern we are seeing, not just in Austin but in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio; most true for Dallas and Harris Counties
  • Sen. Eckhardt – Drawing from Round Rock to Dallas is probably not a cohesive community interest? Or drawing from Austin Round Rock out to mid-west Texas?
    • Certainly, you would have much more diversity and less geographic cohesiveness
  • Sen. Eckhardt – Not speaking of geographic cohesiveness, speaking to communities of interest regarding immigrant migration
    • If you think of economies of people working and collaborating to people; are you thinking of people working together or people of different races?
  • Sen. Eckhardt – Both; those would also be interesting statistics to have (work-shed and travel-Shed) could you provide that?
    • We do not have that, but other departments have better idea of flows of commutes
  • Sen. Eckhardt – Having figures on work-shed and travel shed would be useful would it not?
    • Sure, we have information on travel time to work but not commutes; might be able to get that from TxDOT
    • They do not present it in aggregate sense, but could get the data to look at
  • Sen. Eckhardt – I am sure we can get you both those MPOS and COGs around the state. TWC could provide info as well so we can better illustrate communities of interest, don’t you think?
    • Yes
  • Sen. Eckhardt – Regarding data sufficiency, we have the American Survey and Texas Demographic Center’s; only about 0.7% different for ACS
    • Ours is the closest to Census Bureau, which is what we see as most accurate
  • Sen Eckhardt – Can you speak on accuracy of estimations?
    • April 30th is the target date now, numbers we produced are projections and the methods we use are driven by components of change
    • Estimates from Census come from many different data sources, my guess is it will be somewhere between our projection and Census Bureau
  • Sen. Eckhardt – So, we have already identified the floor and ceiling of population increase?
    • I hope so; have discussed issue of undercount and Census is hoping they will avoid it
    • I believe the number will be between our projection and Census Bureau number
  • Sen. Eckhardt – Do you believe that we have sufficient information to draw illustrative maps for our communities where the likely challenges are to drawing Congressional and State districts?
    • You could draw those maps, but small area data will be from surveys with a large margin of error
    • Smallest level of geography released are Census block groups, large geographic area, estimates for each one is very large margins of error; almost 100% more than the estimate many times
    • Would be hard to use that a reliable source in terms of what it is to look like
    • Census Tract error level is low, much more comfortable using that level of geography for illustrative maps
  • Sen. Eckhardt – Would like to work with you to illustrate migration information, with a focus on Central Texas. Would also like to reveal communities of interest by using work and travel shed data. Would also like to work with you on illustrative maps so the community can know what to expect this summer.
    • We would be happy to work with you; the Census Bureau does have some commuting flow data and in addition to workforce data there is household/occupation data
  • Sen. Huffman – Regarding questions about illustrative maps, the tool we use is the Red Apple, is that correct?
    • The legislature uses Red Apple; I do not have access to that
  • Sen. Huffman – You do not draw maps as state demographer, do you? Why does your office draw maps?
    • I do not; my office draws them to understand demographic information in different areas
  • Sen. Huffman – We use the red apple system, right?
    • Correct
  • Sen. Huffman – We use the 2010 Census data that is currently loaded into Red Apple, correct?
    • As far as I know
  • Sen. Huffman – Census blocks you have talked about will not be done until late spring and will not be in Red Apple yet; so the maps you’ve shown us will be substantially different from what you’ve shown us, yes?
    • Correct
  • Sen. Huffman – Tools we would need are not available; we are not able to draw maps because the data is not available
  • Sen. West – The information you present is based on ACS and 2010 CE correct?
    • I have not used ACS data. Maps are from population estimates and projections
  • Sen. West – What is the source of those?
    • Base of projections is the 2010 Census; produced by adding births since the Census, subtracting deaths, and estimating migration
  • Sen. West – So the methodology is the standard method accepted in your profession?
    • Yes; we are very focused on best ways and strategies
  • Sen. West- So your testimony is to give an idea of Census numbers?
    • Yes
  • Sen. West – Are you familiar with communities of interest?
    • I am not a lawyer, so I am not sure I understand, but I have a basic understanding
  • Sen. West – What is your understanding based on? Literature?
    • I have not reviewed literature, but I read articles on issues relating to population; would not say I am an expert in that area
  • Sen. West – You have talked about communities of interest in your presentations, I am asking when you use that term what are you talking about?
    • I do not believe I used that term in the presentation
  • Sen. West – You say you have read some articles where the concept is mentioned?
    • Yes, but would not consider myself an expert
  • Sen. West – Would you provide the committee with the literature you have read about communities of interest?
    • I would be happy to

 

Public Testimony

Richard Kennedy, Self

  • From North Austin’s District 17 and was a former democratic nominee
  • Gerrymandering is an existential threat and root cause of country’s divisiveness
  • Unfortunately, it is legal and currently considered constitutional, this committee has the unique opportunity to change this
  • Calls for effort to draw fair districts and enact positive change

 

Steven Jessup, Republican Party of Navarro County

  • Navarro County is rural county and should be grouped with its contiguous counties; does not want Navarro County to be split up in to different districts
  • Would like to stay in SD 22, HD 8 and Congressional District 6, Judiciary District 13, and Court of Criminal Appeals 10

 

Cynthia Schneider, Self

  • My voice has not been heard and is not represented by elected officials due to gerrymandering
  • Texas is one of the most gerrymandered states and one of the most congressionally skewed
  • Calls for appropriate drawings of maps so there is no need to spend taxpayer dollars in court, hopes for more representative future districts

 

Ashley Cheng, Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association

  • Need to prioritize keeping ethnic and language groups and neighborhoods together; based on Voting Rights Act, that is the law and is more efficient for everyone
  • Currently, the APIA community in North Austin is broken up into three US Congressional Districts; TX 10, TX 13, and TX 25
    • The APIA community in Southwest Austin is broken up into two
  • APIA is one of the fastest growing populations in Texas, comprises more than 1.5 million Texans
  • An APIA individual has never had a representative in Congress, need representation to meet the unique needs of this community

 

Gray Ginther, Self

  • Leads an advocacy group at a church which is predominantly African American; Texas has a long history of disenfranchising voters of color
  • Wonders why Austin is divided into 6 different districts as it leads to the loss of voices; is currently no representative who is fully servicing the Austin people

 

Cheryl Foster, Self

  • From the McLennan County and Waco area; currently cut into two, HD 56 and HD 12
  • African American Waco residents are disenfranchised, must drive an hour to meet with their representative
  • Need to draw a new HD that includes McLennan, Bell, Coryell, Limestone and Falls Counties
  • Do not need to include Austin or Travis County in Congressional District 17; Austin is the example we use when we talk about partisan gerrymandering

 

Sam Martin, Self

  • Austin has not been well-served by the redistricting process as their neighborhood is split between 2 SDs and 2 Congressional Districts, but only share one HD
  • Does not feel neighborhood is represented and have become lower priority

 

Jensie Madden, Self

  • Comal County is currently experiencing great growth; hopes hearings are continued to allow community members to give maps feedback before they are voted on
  • Currently in SD 25, asks this county remains in one district
  • In Congressional District 21, but a tiny piece is in District 35; believes they all belong together

 

Jose Orta, Self

  • In SD 5, Williamson County; calls for the committee to split state up equally by population
  • Asks that Williamson County be kept whole, voters are entitled to a compact district that does not weaken any voices

 

Richard Beaule, Killeen Educators Association

  • In SD 54; every small detail matters during redistricting
  • Elected officials need to act for all citizens in their districts; more important to get it right than to be right

 

Kimberly Vaughn, Self

  • Resident of Bell County; struggles to understand the shape of their current district; obviously has been manipulated in the benefit of the party in power
  • Reminds elected officials that most voters are in the center and paying more attention to the process; Centrist voters and Central Texas residents

 

Jane Hughson, Mayor of San Marcos

  • Request that San Marcos be in one Senate and Congressional District, unlike they are currently
  • Asks that neighborhoods and the city be kept whole; harder to keep up with who represents you when you are so split
  • Calls for public hearings after maps are drafted and before they are finalized

 

Bridget Hall, Self

  • Resident of SD 14; community should be given the opportunity to give feedback on maps that are drawn, need to use partisan data, and ensure end results are racially equitable

 

Steve Chamberlain, Self

  • Chair of Bastrop County Democratic Party; both parties have drawn lines in their own favor and not for the constituents
  • Current lines do not allow for fair or geographic representation of citizens; need to end Gerrymandering

 

Carl Jones, Self

  • From SD 24, comprised of Western Travis County and Spicewood
  • Constituents in Urban Travis County are not accurately reflected due to the 16 rural counties grouped in the same district; both are not able to express their needs fully
  • Calls out Gerrymandering that began in 2010; calls for fair and publicly accessible maps

 

Angelica Razo, Mi Familia Vota

  • Non-profit represents the Texas Latino Population; need more public input hearings to allow dialogue between leaders and public servants
  • Need to consider the times of hearings to be more accessible to those in school or working
  • Calls for fair, transparent maps reflecting needs of community members

 

Patricia Morgan, Self

  • In Congressional District 25; Austin’s 6 street districts are shamelessly Gerrymandered, taking away political power of the people
  • Does not feel she has real representation from Congressman Williams; Austin community needs to be able to vote for people who reflect their values and community
  • Asks for a non-partisan committee to be in charge of redistricting

 

Phyllis Jones, Community Connections

  • NAACP Education chair from District 31; maps need to reflect the people, not the party
  • Community holds many military individuals, does not believe they are represented
  • Asks that these meetings are held until the maps are finalized so community members can provide input

William Rosenberg, Self

  • Is a Bell County resident which extremely gerrymandered area; Congressional Districts 25, 31 and 34 as examples of extreme Gerrymandering
  • Calls for committee to put partisan politics aside and create maps that represent fair communities of interest

 

Ricardo Zavala, Dove Springs Proud

  • Requests to stay in SD 21

 

Rene Lara, Self

  • From SD 21 in South Austin
  • Austin and Laredo have a commonality of interest, supports allowing a piece of Austin to continue to pair with Laredo in a district

 

Joan Hinshaw, Self

  • From Nolanville in Bell County; serving her 3rd term on City Council
  • The Fort Hood Community shares school districts, churches, hospitals etc. with surrounding towns and they are community of interest
  • Used to all be HD 54, now part of Fort Hood is Gerrymandered into HD 55
  • The Fort Hood community should be back under one district
  • Maps should be visible to the public with a hearing before any maps are voted on

 

Jaclyn Houghton, Self

  • Currently shares district with Laredo; concerns are not shared between Laredo and the Central Austin Areas
  • As region is growing, they deserve true representation for the urban community

 

David Doscher, Self

  • Seconds what Eckhardt said about the need for illustrative maps
  • Should be at least one computer-generated map based solely on public input and that data and made available for public to see

 

Eva Esparza, Self

  • From Congressional District 25 which is without adequate representation; is not informed on how bills will affect the community
  • Asks non-partisan commission to draw the maps so community members can choose their representatives, not be assigned them; need continued public participation

 

James Stratton, Self

  • From Congressional District 10; made up of 9 counties all under one representative, all competing for attention
  • Calls for a reconstructed district to turn new seats into an efficient administration

 

Joslynn Sanchez, Deeds Not Words

  • Calls for committee to make redistricting process as transparent and accurate to the population as possible
  • Speaks out against effects of Gerrymandering on democracy; officials taking advantage of broken system is a threat to the nation

 

Nancy Einhorn, Self

  • Williamson County resident; gerrymandering minimizes minority voices
  • Texas has the highest uninsured population; need to have accurate districts to allocate appropriate resources to
  • Will be emailing a paper on fair and transparent redistricting to the council

 

Paul Yamarick, Self

  • From SD 18 and Congressional District 27
  • Troubled by hearing rhetoric of other testimonies, does not want the rhetoric to create a house divided, representing constituents is not an easy job
  • Highlights SBOE districts; is against an independent redistricting committee, need to let the people vote
  • Calls for an effort to not make the process too politicized

 

Eileen Held, Self

  • Is a registered independent, feels it is important for all Texans to have a fair, non-partisan redistricting process
  • Wait for the Census to release information, comply with Voting Rights Act, avoid any politicization of redistricting; do not want 8 years of courts and tax payer lawsuits

 

Irene Hahn, Self

  • From Congressional District 27
  • Certain counties should be moved from CD 34 to 27; believes they have more in common as rural counties do not want to be linked with Austin

 

Janna Bear, Self

  • From District 7, lived outside of downtown Austin for 35 years; neighborhood is silenced due to the way the district was drawn
  • Speaks out against history of gerrymandering and its damages to public justice
  • Does not believe their representatives have to agree, but believes their vote should count

 

Stephen Gregory, Self

  • Congressional District 34; are no representatives who currently serve the interests of the smaller coastal towns

 

Ethan Pena, Self

  • Interests of Austin, San Marcos, Austin, and New Braunfels are different and cannot be represented by one Senate District
  • Current Congressional Districts do not embody democratic ideals; need to commit to a fair, open and transparent redistricting process

 

Mary Duty, McLennan County Democratic Party

  • Do we have a timeline to consider the final Census numbers since they are not available?
  • Hope we keep communications open to the public, so the process is transparent
  • McLennan County has bore the brunt of bad district lines; Hispanic voters have been disenfranchised

 

Kevin Lewis, Self

  • Lives in South Austin; area has grown exponentially, but do not feel represented
  • Asks that hearings are held after maps are drafted and public feedback is considered

 

Sylvia Coulson, Self

  • Ellis County is a quickly growing county; fifth fastest growing
  • County wants to stay together in the house, senate, and congressional districts
  • Against a separate committee to outsource the redistricting process; is responsibility of the committee