Dallas Council Declines To Review Redistricting Map
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – The City Council decided to not to review its position on redistricting Wednesday despite the protests of Latino activists. But the issue isn't necessarily settled.
"I'm making a motion today to suspend the rules and open the discussion for redistricting," said District 1 Councilwoman Delia Jasso.
Despite previous protests and the threat of lawsuits, Latino activists still haven't been able to win over enough political support on the council to win five seats they consider "safe" for Hispanics.
Still, they were back in front of the council Wednesday. Former Dallas School Board member Trini Garza told councilmembers, "Your decision completely overlooks the reality that Spanish constitute 42 percent of the Dallas population."
LULAC's Beatriz Martinez added, "You have chosen to retrogress and protect your incumbencies. You have ignored the population growth of the city of Dallas. Are you blind?"
A majority of the council approved an official map on Oct. 5. In it, whites hold seven winnable seats, blacks hold four and Hispanics hold three.
It was submitted to the Department of Justice for pre-clearance, as required under the Civil Rights Act.
Based on previous interest, Wednesday's discussion was moved to the full council chambers to accommodate speakers, including Lorena Tule, a member of the redistricting panel.
"These are 532 individuals," she said, waving copings of letters to the council, "that have signed or personally written letters to the Department of Justice expressing their discontent with your actions."
The Department of Justice still has a few weeks to accept or reject the Dallas map. Councilwoman Delia Jasso hoped her eleventh hour appeal would convince fellow councilmembers to adjust that submission.
"I am certainly open to tweaking the map in the Oak Cliff areas; I don't think anything more than that needs any more tweaking."
But in the end, Jasso could not muster enough votes to reopen the map issue. Opponents now promise to sue.
