House Redistricting Meets Monday And Texans Need To Be Heard
On Monday, Oct 4, the House Redistricting Committee will meet starting at 9am to take up testimony on the House map proposal (HB 1). Check out the notice HERE.
HB 1 - bill text
DistrictViewer map for HB 1
We’re asking that if you are able and available, please show up on Monday to be a presence in the room and testify over this intentionally discriminatory map.
What do we say about this? This map is just as bad as what we've been seeing thus far this session.
As much as Texas communities of color made up 95% of the population growth in the last decade, it's not reflected in this map.
By contrast: Under the new proposal, the map adds six more districts where white residents make up the majority of eligible voters (bringing that total number up to 89 of 150 districts) while the number of Hispanic and Black districts actually decrease.
Also on the chopping block: any hope of competitive districts or opportunities for fair representation reflective of Texas communities.
For more, check out this must-read piece from Texas Tribune: Texas House proposes map that increases Republican strength and decreases Black and Hispanic majority districts
There is much to be said about the process as well.
From the jump, Texans have asked for sufficient time to review and analyze these maps but we've received little more than a few days notice between map release and hearing date. This impacts community participation when what we’ve said from the rooftops since the start of all this is that Texans need to have a seat at this table.
Lawmakers must be asked to explain in detail how their proposed map impacts historically disenfranchised communities which means they need to come prepared to #SHOWTHEIRWORK.
Check out the talking points from Fair Maps Texas for more guidance!
In short this is NOT what Texans made clear they wanted at the start of this year.
We need fair districts for fair representation - period.
Texans will get a virtual opportunity to testify at this hearing!
If you can’t make it on Monday but still want to testify, you have the option to testify virtually. To testify over Zoom, please register HERE.
Please note that you must register 24 hours in advance of the hearing if you want to testify virtually. That means you have until 9am on Sunday, Oct 3 to register . You’ll then receive a witness affirmation form which you’ll need to complete and email back.
You can also submit written testimony.
Remember that if you can’t testify in-person or virtually on Monday, you can leave public comments via the committee portal all the way up until the end of the hearing. Submit your comments HERE.