Texas Senate panel OKs redistricting map

A Senate committee on Friday approved a congressional redistricting map, setting the stage for a showdown between Republicans and Democrats next week on the Senate floor.

The Senate Jurisprudence Committee approved the map on a 4-3 vote along party lines. The committee chairman had estimated it could give Republicans between 18 or 19 seats in the congressional delegation that is now ruled 17-15 by Democrats.

The vote in committee came after Democrats voiced their opposition to the plan.

"The redrawing of congressional district lines, in spite of overwhelming public opposition, amounts to the commission (of) an enormous abuse of the public trust," said Sen. Mario Gallegos, D-Houston. He said 90 percent of the people that testified at redistricting hearings around the state had opposed the redrawing of the district lines.

The bill's passage could set up a battle between the Texas House because it keeps Lubbock and Midland counties in the same district. The House approved a map this week that puts Lubbock and Midland in separate districts.