What was the most controversial issue before the Texas Legislature in 2003, and how was the issue eventually resolved?
What will be an ideal response?
Answer:
A. Proposed redistricting of state's delegation to U.S. Congress most controversial issue of 2003
1. not supposed to be a redistricting year
2. 2001 Texas house and senate failed to create a redistricting map
a. task fell to federal judges but they drew lines that protected the incumbent candidates
b. Republicans not happy with the results in 2001; they felt it was more pro-Democratic
3. 2002 elections good for Republicans
a. Texas law and constitution does not prohibit redistricting at any time
b. Republican leaders push forward with redistricting plan
c. pushed by majority leader Tom DeLay
d. plan to enlarge majority in U.S. house
4. 2003 legislative session stalled redistricting plan
a. Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst and senate not committed to issue
b. 2/3rd rule in senate for bill to reach the floor
1. house Democrats (55) left the chamber and without quorum house could not do business
2. did not return until time limit expired, killing the bill
3. both Democrats and Republicans mad at each other
4. Governor Perry ended session early and called second session
5. Democrats tried to hold onto boycott but eventually crumbled
c. Republicans could not agree on plan but house plan won
1. plan resulted in huge gain for Republicans in Congress seats
2. set precedent for redistricting
3. Challenges to plan seen in courts
a. Democrats, minorities and disenfranchised groups
b. confusion of court cases resulted in extending filing deadline for candidates and pushed primaries back to May
6. Issue not resolved
a. continued partisan debate and wrangling over redistricting in the future
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