The assertion was made during a hearing before the Texas Supreme Court Wednesday in a lawsuit challenging various aspects of new legislative maps approved in 2021.5:56 PM on Mar 23, 2022 CDT
Lanora Pettit, Texas’ principal deputy solicitor general, argued that the lawsuits were moot, as plaintiffs including Democratic state Sens. Sarah Eckhardt and Roland Gutierrez as well as the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, are asking for the court to order the Legislature to take up redistricting next year.
Because of COVID-19 delays, census redistricting numbers were not released until after 2021′s regular legislative session was adjourned. The process instead took place during a special session. In Cameron County, the population is sufficient to have two House districts contained within the county. However, state lawmakers drew district lines that only placed one district entirely in Cameron County.