June 30, 2006, 2:37AM
U.S. panel orders proposals for Texas remap due July 14
Action spurred by court decision that District 23 violates rights
By R.G. RATCLIFFE
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau
AUSTIN - A federal court Thursday gave parties in the Texas redistricting lawsuit until July 14 to submit proposals on how to redraw congressional districts in South Texas in response to a U.S. Supreme Court decision that one district violates minority voting rights.
The three-judge panel's order signaled that the court plans to take charge of revamping the state's congressional districts before this year's elections rather than let the Legislature do the job.
Gov. Rick Perry declined to say whether he would call the Legislature into special session to change the congressional districts.
"It's always been my preference that the Legislature take care of these issues," Perry told reporters Thursday before learning of the panel's order.
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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/4014196.html