The 82nd Texas Legislature’s regular session ends as it started, with lawmakers arguing about a shrunken state budget and redistricting.
redistricting
Perry: Special Session on Congressional Maps Possible
Gov. Rick Perry opened the door to a special session on congressional redistricting — but only if leaders agree to a map in advance.
Race, Politics Not Always Linked, UT/TT Poll Finds
Texans think it’s more important to elect people who think like them than to elect people who look like them, and a small plurality believes redistricting should be turned over to an independent panel, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll.
Video: Lege Should Draw Congressional Map, Perry Says
Though lawmakers have run out of time to draw congressional redistricting map, Gov. Rick Perry says the responsibility lies with the Legislature, not the courts.
Special Session Hinges on School Finance Fix
The Legislature has just a few days to get the state budget, the most important bill of the session, passed and to the governor’s desk. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports on the final items needed to send lawmakers home on time.
A Meandering Route to a Congressional Redistricting Map
When it comes to congressional redistricting in Texas, inaction is louder than words.
Video: What About Congressional Redistricting?
Lawmakers may be getting to the congressional maps a little late, but state Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, the chair of the Senate redistricting committee, says they’re going to do everything they can until the very last minute to get as far as they can.
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
Root and Galbraith on a Dallas billionaire’s radioactive waste dump victory, Grissom on the passage of eyewitness ID reform, Hamilton on the old grudges bedeviling the debate over higher ed, Philpott on the status of congressional redistricting, Ramsey on Rick Perry’s un-campaign for president, Ramshaw on why medical schools are the scorned children of the state’s education budget, my session-wrap interview with three veteran Democrats, M. Smith on why Rob Eissler can’t pass mandate relief for school districts and Stiles on who’s giving what to which Texas candidates in 2011-12 congressional races: The best of our best content from May 16 to 20, 2011.
With Clock Ticking, Congressional Redistricting Set to Begin
The legislative session ends in less than two weeks, and lawmakers won’t take up a bill to redraw the state’s congressional districts until later this week. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports on how the delay could affect how the new lines are drawn.
Update: Senate Approves Redistricting Maps
The Texas Senate approved new political districts that protect all of the Republicans and all but one of the Democratic incumbents in that body and, after a delay, gave tentative approval to a House map already approved by the House.

