MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON REDISTRICTING
Wednesday, April 25, 2001
1:30 p.m. or upon adjournment
Senate Chamber
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate
Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on
Redistricting was held on Wednesday, April 25, 2001, in
the Senate Chamber at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Jeff Wentworth Senator Kenneth
Armbrister
Senator Mike Jackson Senator Robert Duncan
Senator David Cain
Senator Rodney Ellis
Senator Florence Shapiro
Senator Judith Zaffirini
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The chair called the meeting to order at 2:45 p.m.
There being a quorum present, the following business
was transacted:
The following members arrived after the roll was
called:
Senator Cain.
Senator Cain noted that he arrived late to the
committee meeting due to a meeting of the Senate
Committee on Criminal Justice.
Senator Zaffirini moved to adopt the committee minutes
from the previous hearing on Wednesday, April 18, 2001.
The motion was seconded by Senator Jackson. There
being no objection, the minutes were adopted.
The chair encouraged those wishing to testify to
complete a witness registration card, stating whom they
represent, and if applicable, state which districts,
counties, and cities they plan to discuss.
The chair clarified comments from the last committee
meeting regarding minority-majority districts that must
be protected as required by the Voting Rights Act. In
response to Senator Zaffirini's request, the nine
minority-majority districts were identified.
Senator Sibley and Senator Ellis introduced Dr. Richard
L. Engstrom, a research political scientist from the
University of New Orleans. Dr. Engstrom provided
testimony and maps about racially polarized voting in
Dallas, Tarrant, Harris, and Bexar Counties. Dr.
Engstrom answered questions from committee members.
Public testimony on PLAN 01002S and other redistricting
topics was taken, and committee members questioned
witnesses.
At 4:43 p.m. Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair. At
4:46 p.m. Senator Wentworth resumed the chair.
During public testimony, Senator West introduced
witnesses from the Dallas area, who testified in
support of his redistricting map, PLAN 01034S.
At the request of Senator Cain, the chair reviewed Dr.
Engstrom's testimony. The chair also pointed out to
attendees that committee members' absences during
meetings were due to conflicting Senate committee
meetings.
The chair announced the committee will meet next week
on Wednesday, May 2, 2001, in the Senate Chamber at
1:30 p.m. or upon adjournment.
The chair also stated the Lt. Governor would be
scheduling a meeting of the Committee of the Whole on
Tuesday, May 1, 2001. The purpose of the meeting would
be to lay out the most current Senate plan and provide
another opportunity for senators to suggest changes or
additions to the plan. The meeting would be purely for
discussion purposes. The chair answered questions from
committee members regarding their roles in the upcoming
meeting and announced his intention to visit again with
Lt. Governor Ratliff about how the meeting would be
conducted.
There being no further business, at 6:26 p.m., Senator
Zaffirini moved the committee stand in recess, subject
to the call of the chair. The motion was seconded by
Senator Cain. Without objection, the motion passed and
the committee recessed, subject to the call of the
chair.
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Senator Jeff Wentworth, Chair
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Erica Sadlon, Clerk