Simpson Joins Criticism of House Redistricting
State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer picked up an unlikely ally Friday after accusing top House staffers of taking part in discriminatory conduct that got the Legislature’s redistricting maps thrown out by federal judges.
Fellow Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, said he, too, “was pretty dismayed” to see testimony about redistricting conversations between the House speaker’s staff and outside attorneys.
Martinez Fischer, a San Antonio Democrat, is the head of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus. Simpson, elected to the House in 2010, is one of the House’s most conservative members.
Federal judges refused to give preclearance to political maps ...
Comments (12)
Julie Joffee Covey via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Simpson is a, for lack of a better term, moron. He is a pot calling the kettle black. I hope he is defeated in November.
David Huang via Texas Tribune on Facebook
He's "dismayed" at the court documents, unhappy with the way they were drawn, but still supports Greg Abbott's fight to have the SCOTUS decision overturned so that they can use the maps anyway? The maps that he just, JUST said were biased and voted for during the session?
Dustin T. David via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Kills me how people are just now realizing this about Rep. Simpson..
Merritt was at least for the greater good of Republican party.
Rudy Gonzales
Trey Fischer and David Simpson should stand behind Texans with their dismay at the antics of the TEA-Libertarian-GOP-Republican-Evangelical cohorts cavorting around and creating the huge cost producing expense of court cases. Here's what they did. A panel of federal judges unanimously struck down a voter-ID law passed by the legislature in March 2011, arguing that it would disproportionately harm African-American and Latino voters. Both decisions hinged on Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, which requires certain states with a history of racial discrimination in voting — including Texas — to prove that any changes in their voting laws or procedures do not hamper the voting rights of minorities.
Texas lawmakers drew some districts that looked like Latino majority districts on paper — but removed Latinos who voted regularly and replaced them with Latinos who were unlikely to vote.
Texas lawmakers widened the gap between the proportion of the population that is Latino and African Americans and the proportion of districts that are minority-controlled.
The Texas Legislature removed economic centers and district offices from African-American and Latino districts, while giving white Republicans perks.
The Texas Legislature passed a voter-ID law with requirements that would make it disproportionately difficult for African Americans and Latinos to vote.
The Texas Legislature acted to divide and conquer: Texas "cracked" minority voters out of one district into three to offset and counter the minority vote from being proportional to the Texas population.
There are numerous instances across the nation where voter rights have been curtailed, squashed, thrown out, purged and other forms to limit their votes in November.
I for one will vote straight Democratic ticket this season.
Dale Curry
This is really over the top. Three Federal Judges, two of which were appointed by Bush, unanimously issued the opinion that essentially identifying those in (and around) the speaker's office engaged in activities design to disenfranchise minorities. Frankly, the picture of Simpson's "joining" the criticism smacks of being the essence of hypocrisy. If Mr. Tea Party believes he is being strategic in his denunciation, he is sadly mistaken. While he might feel coy by playing both side of this fence, his actions speak louder than his rhetoric. (Surprise!). He still supports the AG's pursuit of frivolous lawsuits in support of these Jim Crow inspired maps. (Among so MANY frivolous lawsuits by an AG intent on using his office to play partisan politics) As a Judge once said, A pox upon both their houses. Strauss, Simpson, and every other tea party inspired bigot who voted for these maps, did so with the goal of disenfranchising minorities right to vote.
And I too look forward to the day when Political Hacks like Abbott and Simpson are sent packing from the Capitol.
One thing for certain, The republicans and tea party zealots continue to ensure the vast majority of hispanic and latino americans vote democratic for a long time. That's for the best, as Democrats we pride ourselves on being a big tent.
Tracy Forester via Texas Tribune on Facebook
David Simpson rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gehrig Saldana
Kudos to Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview for having the courage to inform Texas voters of this unfortunate and most embarrassing situation. Rep. Simpson is correct; the actions taken by House Speaker Joe Straus’ aides most definitely do not pass the moral test. What price will those aides pay for this discriminatory conduct? Texas’ taxpayers are certain to be penalized for this immoral act. Are they the only ones who’ll pay for this intentional act?
Mike Openshaw via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The scary thing has nothing to do with improper conversations; it's the judicial assumption that the State has to PROVE the plan DOESN'T discriminate against minorities; guilty until you can prove you are innocent. It is THAT assumption that needs to be overturned by SCOTUS- and likely will be.
jpt51
Why are Simpson or Martinez Fischer surprised. The Legislature is just following the long tradition of corrupt politics that goes back to the LBJ days
The real issue is why there's no outcry among Texans? Are we just going to remain silent and continue to allow this kind of behavior. We need to toss every one of our elected state officials out of office in November. They're all dirty.
if unchecked, people will end up getting killed as the did in the good old days when Johnson was in control.
http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Money-Power-L-B-J-Killed/dp/0963784625
Adele Roberson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Republicans have won practically every election in Texas for twenty years. Yet, it is the Republicans that are always hollering about voters fraud. That is sort of backasswards... Do they protest too much? what's up? Can we even entertain the thought that it is they who are committing the fraud???
My liberal look at politics from Waco via Texas Tribune on Facebook
what a joke. NEWSFLASH-- Republicans are corrupt.
longislandliberal
Simpson is unopposed in November. Word around town is that he and his family are living in Austin full-time now. So much for being a "Citizen legislature." Simpson has been seduced by the camera lights and public attention and that is now all he craves.
What are the odds that folks in Gregg & Upshur Counties will wake up and figure out what a moron and psycho this guys is come 2014? I give it about 1 chance in 5, but there's always hoping!