AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Capitol is buzzing as the legislative special session officially begins. Lawmakers were called back to Austin on orders from Governor Greg Abbott to address pressing state issues.
Two issues in particular are expected to take center stage in the special session, redistricting and flood preparedness.
A major political battle is anticipated around congressional redistricting. The fight could be reminiscent of the conflict following the 2020 census redistricting. In 2021, Texas Democrats fled to Washington, DC to protest proposed maps during a special session. Now, the battle over engineering congressional districts in the middle of a decade marks a rare occurrence, not seen in more than 20 years. It’s a top priority for elected officials in this session.
“At the end of the last session, no one expected to return, but here we are,” State Senator Paul Bettencourt (R-District 7) said.
State Senator Carol Alvarado (D-District 6) offered some words of advice.
“Grab your popcorn,” she said.
The redistricting debate centers on four key districts across Texas—three of them in Harris County. The controversy is fueled by attempts led by former President Donald Trump and his administration to increase the GOP’s U.S. House majority in next year’s midterms.
“It’s an insult that we are back to redistrict and try to take congressional districts away from African-American and minority citizens in Texas,” said State Senator Borris Miles (D-District 13) expressing his dissent.
“This will be a ‘Thrilla in Manila’ — an intense fight. Historically, redistricting battles are always highly contested," Bettencourt added.
Beyond redistricting, bipartisan efforts are underway to address flood preparedness and improve state communication protocols, prompted by the deadly Fourth of July floods in Central Texas.
“With 18 issues plus redistricting, and as the author of three bills, I can say the river disaster bill isn’t ready to file yet ten days after the flooding,” Bettencourt said.
“Addressing the floods in Central Texas should be the first thing we focus on in this session,” Alvarado said.
