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Democrats slam remap plan Republican says reshaping fair 05/10/2001 By Sam Attlesey / The Dallas Morning News
AUSTIN – A potentially divisive showdown in the Senate was set Wednesday
when a key Republican senator unveiled a plan reshaping districts that
was blasted by Democrats as too partisan.
At least one senator suggested the redistricting plan proposed by Sen.
David Sibley of Waco was an example of why Democrats did not support Mr.
Sibley in his failed race for lieutenant governor.
"I think it is an indication," said Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos, D-Austin,
chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus. "The Sibley plan can not be
taken seriously. It basically tears at the fabric of political civility."
He said Mr. Sibley's plan would create 20 Republican districts.
Currently, Republicans hold 16 seats and Democrats have 15.
Mr. Sibley, who is chairman of the Senate GOP caucus, said his plan was
fair and legal, but he acknowledged "it is probably more favorable to
Republicans."
As originally proposed Wednesday, Mr. Sibley's plan would have forced
Dallas Democratic Sens. David Cain and Royce West into one district.
Mr. Sibley later said he will amend that, pairing Mr. Cain into the same
district with Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas. The district would be
favorable to Mr. Carona.
Mr. Cain said he did not like the proposal, and he also was opposed to
another plan that has drawn bipartisan support in the Senate
Redistricting Committee.
Mr. Cain was the only member of that panel to vote against the proposal
by Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, who is chairman of the powerful
committee.
Under Mr. Wentworth's suggested Senate map, 16 districts would be
Republican, 12 would be Democratic and three would be swing districts
winnable by a candidate of either party.
Mr. Cain would reside in one of those swing seats.
"I'm assessing my options," Mr. Cain said. "But don't count me out yet."
Acting Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff said the competing redistricting plans may
be up for a vote by the full Senate as early as Saturday.
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