Texas House Maps Are The Latest To Run Afoul Of A Federal Court

This week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune.

By Rhonda FanningAugust 25, 2017 3:32 pm,

Time for the week that was in Texas politics with Emily Ramshaw, editor-in-chief of the Texas Tribune.

Before Hurricane Harvey assumed the spotlight in Texas, those who follow politics in the state were talking about the most recent federal court ruling regarding Texas voting maps. A panel of judges ruled that nine Texas House districts were drawn to intentionally dilute the voting power of minorities. It’s the second time in as many weeks that a federal court has rejected Texas’ voting maps. Last week, a court ruled several congressional districts intentionally discriminated.

Ramshaw says redrawing one district has implications for surrounding districts, which must be adjusted when rejected districts are changed.

“There are basically two options, here, if these rulings stand,” Ramshaw says. “Either the legislature could reconvene…to redraw these maps, or the court could do it themselves.”

Democratic political stars – and twin brothers – Joaquin and Julian Castro could be on a collision course, according to an article inPolitico. If Joaquin runs for governor in 2018, as many have urged him to do, and Julian becomes a candidate for president in 2020, they could be seen as competing with one another for oxygen among Democratic voters.

Listen to the full interview in the audio player above.

Written by Shelly Brisbin.