MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON REDISTRICTING
Monday, May 28, 2001
Upon Adjournment
Capitol Extension, Room E1.012
*****
Pursuant to suspension of Senate Rules 11.10 and 11.18, a
public hearing of the Senate Committee on Redistricting was
held on Monday, May 28, 2001, in the Capitol Extension,
Room E1.012, in Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Jeff Wentworth None
Senator Mike Jackson
Senator Kenneth Armbrister
Senator David Cain
Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Rodney Ellis
Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Mario Gallegos
Senator Florence Shapiro
Senator Judith Zaffirini
*****
The chair called the meeting to order at 3:58 p.m. There
being a quorum present, the following business was
transacted:
The following members arrived after the roll was called:
Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Kenneth Armbrister
The chair provided introductory comments. The chair
referred to Governor Perry's letter sent to Lt. Governor
Ratliff and Speaker Laney. The Governor requested that the
House and Senate begin working on Congressional and State
Board of Education district lines immediately after
adjournment. The Governor wrote that he would call a
special session of the Legislature to approve Congressional
and State Board of Education district plans if they can
receive the support of both houses of the Legislature.
The chair stated that the purpose of this organizational
meeting was to discuss when to schedule the next committee
meeting.
The chair asked members if they wanted to meet the next day
or on Tuesday, June 5, 2001, Wednesday, June 6, 2001, or
Thursday, June 7, 2001. The chair did not want to schedule
a meeting on the same day as Senator Haywood's son's
funeral, Thursday, May 31, 2001. Committee members
discussed the possible dates and made recommendations. The
chair requested committee members share their preferences
with the committee clerk.
Senator Ellis suggested that the chair schedule the meeting
for next week so that the Texas Congressional delegation
would have time to reach some consensus.
Senator Cain asked about the time frame for redistricting.
The chair stated he had not recently visited with the
Governor about the redistricting time frame.
Senator Fraser suggested workgroups be created to work on
redistricting. The chair voiced his opposition to
formalizing workgroups that would probably meet outside the
requirements of the Texas Open Meetings Act.
Senator Shapiro asked about the agenda for the next
meeting. The chair announced Congressional plans created
by Senator Armbrister and committee staff would be
considered at the meeting. Senator Shapiro and Senator
Armbrister discussed the Congressional plan passed by the
House Committee on Redistricting.
Senator Jackson suggested reviewing the State Board of
Education plan supported by most board members as the
starting point for the committee's consideration of a State
Board of Education plan.
Senator Armbrister asked the committee staff counsels, Jon
Snare and Mike Hemer, what the role of the committee as an
entity would be in relation to the Legislative
Redistricting Board's redistricting process. The attorneys
stated there is no precedent for the committee as an entity
to be involved in the Legislative Redistricting Board's
activities. The Lt. Governor and Speaker can decide what
Senate and House resources to use.
Senator Armbrister requested the Legislative Redistricting
Board staff contacts names and phone numbers be provided to
every member of the Senate. Senator Gallegos asked that
committee staff contact numbers be distributed to him and
Senator Fraser.
The chair reminded committee members about the committee
dinner taking place at 7 p.m. that evening at the Bob
Bullock Texas State History Museum.
There being no further business, at 4:19 p.m., the chair
announced the committee would stand in recess, subject to
the call of the chair. Without objection, the committee
recessed.
____________________________
Senator Jeff Wentworth, Chair
____________________________
Erica Sadlon, Clerk