Senators rebuke House on remap, eye own plan (TX UPDATE)

[goobergunch]

By R.G. RATCLIFFE
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau
AUSTIN -- Texas senators Tuesday all but declared dead House legislation to redraw the state's congressional district boundaries and said they would draw their own maps.

The state House version would help Republicans gain six seats in Congress. But it drew criticism even from some Republican senators who support redistricting to increase GOP strength in the Texas congressional delegation.

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There were indications from senators and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst that the boundaries of the state Senate districts may be used as a starting point for drawing a congressional district map that could break a potential Senate deadlock on whether even to debate redistricting.

Loosely following state Senate district boundaries probably would cost Democrats at least four U.S. House districts, because Republicans hold 19 of the 31 Senate seats. They hold 15 of the state's 32 U.S. House seats.

more...http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/1985880