Bi-Partisan Redistricting Commission Bill Hits Senate Roadblock

An attempt by State Sen. Jeff Wentworth (R-San Antonio) to bring up his bill relating to a bi-partisan public redistricting commission while five opposing senators were absent hit a roadblock Friday.

When Wentworth tried to bring up SB 315, rightwing Republicans raised all manner of hell:

“It appears this is an end-around movement,” complained Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston. This is a bushwhacking.”

Republican Caucus Chairman Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, also objected, accusing Wentworth of a surprise vote when all senators were not present.

It is amusing that Dan Patrick and Company are so eager to go after Wentworth for his “end-run” but don’t bother to mention that that their decision to dump the Two-Thirds Rule solely for the voter identification bill was also an “end run.”

More:

Wentworth said he decided to ask for a vote “when I thought I had the votes.”

A furious series of hushed discussions ensued, as Senate action came to a standstill. Wentworth pressed ahead for a vote to allow the bill to be debated, and approved in final form.

The bill would create a nine-member state Congressional Redistricting Commission that would draw the boundaries of the state’s congressional districts. It would be made up of bi-partisan appointees of the Legislature, and a non-voting presiding officer selected by members of the commission.

GOP hard-liners oppose the commission because they want to retain control over redistricting, as long as they control the Legislature.

Wentworth’s move failed 15-11, just one vote short.

Here is how the vote on the motion to suspend came out:

Yeas: Averitt, Carona, Duncan, Ellis, Eltife, Gallegos, Hinojosa, Lucio, Uresti, Van De Putte, Watson, Wentworth, West, Whitmire, Zaffirini.

Nays: Deuell, Fraser, Hegar, Huffman, Jackson, Nichols, Ogden, Patrick, Seliger, Shapiro, Williams.

Absent: Davis, Estes, Nelson, Shapleigh.

Absent-excused: Harris.

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