July 19, 2014      2:10 PM
Federal challenge to House map concludes with final testimony
DOJ seeks to find intent in Republican map drawing to exclude Latinos
The Department
of Justice put former Rep. Burt Solomons’ chief of staff and committee clerk on the
stand for the first time Saturday morning, closely questioning her about when,
and if, minority members had the same access to the House map as key
Republicans advisers in the House.
Saturday
is likely the last day of trial testimony around the Department of
Justice’s concerns that the 2011 Texas House and Congressional maps
abridge the rights of minorities under Section 2 of the Voting
Rights Act. This is not to be confused with separate actions ahead on
the amended 2013 maps, which will begin in September.
This
week before the three-judge federal panel was devoted to the process and
results of the original 2011 House map, amended on the floor of the House
during the original legislative session. Those on the docket for today included
John Alford of Rice University, as well as former chief of staff Bonnie Bruce and attorney Ryan Downton,
who drew the map.
By Kimberly Reeves
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