Democrats file lawsuit to block GOP redistricting plan -Texas

AUSTIN – The partisan fight over redistricting erupted on two fronts Monday, as Texas Democrats sued to block the Republicans' effort to redraw the state's political map and the Texas Supreme Court refused to order Democrats to end their Senate boycott.

Democrats reacted with glee to the high court's ruling.

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Even before the Supreme Court ruling, the Senate Democrats moved ahead with a lawsuit in federal district court in Laredo, accusing GOP leaders of pushing their plan through the Legislature without adequately considering the views of more than 6,000 people who attended public hearings this summer.

The Democrats sued the state, Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, and also claimed that GOP leaders violated the federal Voting Rights Act by dropping a traditional rule that requires two-thirds of the Senate to agree to debate a bill.

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"This single issue is a violation of the Voting Rights Act, silencing the voices of every minority member of the Texas Senate and forcing a redistricting bill through the Legislature against the interests of minority voters, against the will of every minority member of the Senate and those senators who represent minority districts," said state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, chairwoman of the Senate Democratic Caucus.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dallas/politics/state/stories/081103dntexredistrict.11af654fb.html

this is good news. Thanks.

I couldn't link to your link as I am not registered.

http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/?SecID=1&ArID=80367
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The lawmakers told Bush that the discord over redistricting is damaging his credibility as a bipartisan leader.
The Democrats also say they've learned that Bush's top adviser, Karl Rove, played a significant behind-the scenes role in the matter.
The Dallas Morning News reported an aide to GOP Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said allegations that Dewhurst acted on Rove's instructions -- are false.

and I haven't seen it but haven't the repubs been saying that all along- trying to appear as though the nationals aren't pulling the all-too-visible strings?