Inbox ~ From State Senator Sylvia Garcia:
After completing my first Legislative Regular Session, I am very proud of what my team and I were able to achieve in such a short amount of time.
However, our work is not done. On the same day that the regular session ended, Governor Perry called a Special Session on Redistricting with specific instructions to adopt the interim court-drawn maps for the State House of Representatives, State Senate, and U.S. Congressional Districts.
I am honored to have been appointed by Lt. Governor Dewhurst to serve on the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting. I am committed to working for a fair set of maps that best represents the voting rights of minorities and that the redistricting process is open and transparent.
Texas has a long history of discrimination in voting rights that unfortunately continues today. This is why a special provision of the Voting Rights Act, known as Section 5, was enacted to protect minorities against discriminatory voting laws before they get enacted in states like Texas that continue to pass laws that are aimed at diluting minority political access. Regrettably, the Texas Attorney General has filed litigation to remove these protections, while also trying to implement discriminatory redistricting maps and laws, like last session’s photo id law. It’s important to let the Texas leadership and the Attorney General know we are watching them and will continue to fight for the protection of voting rights.
Opportunities to Make Your Voice Heard
Wednesday, June 5, 2013:
Community Briefing related to redistricting at the East Aldine District Offices located to discuss the redistricting process and give valuable input to take back to Austin.
5333 Aldine Mail Route Road,
Houston, TX 77093
8:00 AM to 9:00AM
Legislative Public Hearings to share your thoughts on the redistricting maps
June 1 , 2013: House Select Committee on Redistricting, 9:00 A.M. Capitol Building in Austin, Extension Auditorium, E1.004
June 6, 2013: Senate Select Committee on Redistricting, 9:00 A.M. Capitol Building in Austin, Senate Finance Committee Room, E1.036
June 12, 2013: Senate Select Committee on Redistricting, 9:00 A.M. Capitol Building in Austin, Senate Finance Committee Room, E1.036
For those that cannot make these events, but want to provide additional input on the redistricting maps please contact my General Counsel, Luis Figueroa atLuis.Figueroa@state.senate.tx.us.
Filed under: 2013 Categories, Accion, Elections, Local Politica, Texas Lege
