Texas Democrats may be free to flee

[Nambe]

Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

Democratic state senators contemplating a walkout to block congressional redistricting might be constitutionally protected from arrest by state police if they flee the Capitol, a lawyer has advised the senators.

Criminal defense attorney Keith Hampton also told the Senate Democratic Caucus that an arrest by a Senate sergeant at arms or a private security agency to force senators to the Senate floor for a vote might be prosecutable as kidnapping under state law.

"And it gets worse than that. If someone in the Legislature directed them to do that, there is the crime of conspiracy to commit aggravated kidnapping," punishable by up to life in prison, Hampton told the Houston Chronicle Thursday. ---

Ride Don’t Drive It’s Global Cool

[PartyPooper]

1. It's time to get the hell outa' Dodge!

Run as far as you can!

:loveya: Bless the hearts of each and every one of you!

[SilasSoule]

3. I didn't know that the Dem Senators were contemplating a walkout.

More power to them if it's the last resort, but there are 13 dems in the Texas Senate...which of them is voting for the new map?

[lastliberalintexas]

7. If Dewhurst

changes the Senate rules, the Dems have said they will bolt. Even the 1 or 2 Senators who were waffling on the actual redistricting vote have said they will stick with the party to prevent a quorum. Heck, for all I know Ratliff may join them.

We're actually more united and energized as a party than we've been in years. The repubs have made a big mistake in pushing this issue. They now actually have an opposition party to deal with again in this state.

[sonias]

10. There are only 12 Democrats in the Texas Senate

Here is a list of them
http://www.txdemocrats.org/index.asp?menu=party&page=senate

Armbrister- Dino (Democrat in name only) would not sign the letter to stop redistricting. He did however say that he would personally lead the walk out this session if Dewhurst tried to suspend the two thirds rule this session.

Madla was the last one to come on board against redistricting. We have 11 Senate Dems against redistricting and 12 against suspending the 2/3 rule. Bill Ratliff (repuke) joined 10 Senate Democrats in opposing redistricting early, but Perry and Dewhurst continued their stupid game.

Sonia

[Nottingham]

2. Time to take a vacation!

:bounce:

[knight_of_the_star]

4. This should be fun

:thumbsup:

[DemoTex]

5. Killer "Ds"

Buzz out! Call me for a ride or a safe house! But you are better off out of Texas. Go to New Orleans and have some fun.

[hang a left]

6. San Diego

is lovely this time of year

[mndemocrat_29]

8. Texas Redistricting

I'm so glad that we are standing so strong in Texas. This year, I think has been the best possible year we could have in the minority. We've become more energized, more focused, and we could really take back a lot of the seats we lost in 2002.

My question is this: Which seats are going to be placed into really Republican districts if this passes? Will any Democratic districts become more Democratic? Is it true they want to try and eliminate Martin Frost and Sheila Jackson Lee? That would be a travesty.

[newyawker99]

9. Hi mndemocrat_29!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[sonias]

11. At least six current Congressional Reps would be replaced

Sheila is not targeted directly in the latest map. All minorities however are, because we lose at least 6 U.S. reps that vote consistently on issues that impact our communities. Let's not forget one issue that doesn't get enough mention, the Voting Rights Act expires in 3 years. If the repukes get more control in Congress they will kill it, they don't want to have to draw any future redistricting maps while having to comply with the VRA.

Threatened U.S. Reps
http://www.savetexasreps.com/reps/default.htm
District 1 (Max Sandlin)
District 2 (Jim Turner)
District 4 (Ralph Hall)
District 9 (Nick Lampson)
District 10 (Lloyd Doggett) My Representative - Yeah Lloyd!
District 11 (Chet Edwards)
District 15 (Rubén Hinojosa)
District 17 (Charlie Stenholm)
District 18 (Sheila Jackson Lee)
District 20 (Charlie Gonzalez)
District 24 (Martin Frost)
District 25 (Chris Bell)

Here's a link to an analysis on the impact on minority districts
GOP Redistricting Destroys Minority Voting Rights
http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/fullstory.php?artid=1738&db=current_issues

Sonia