Texas House Democrats Flee Texas to Stop Tom Delay's Gerrymandering, GOP "Screw the Poor" Tactics

Desperate to avoid a congressional redistricting that radically redraws congressional boundaries to increase Republican seats in the US Congress, 53 Democrats fled the state capital to avoid Texas Rangers and police with orders to produce a quorum.

Houston Chronicle -- Walkout lauded by Democrats, blasted by GOP

One of the 53 legislators said the redistricting bill was a leading factor in the decision to walk out. The bill has been described as a heavy-handed attempt by DeLay to bolster the GOP share of congressional seats in Texas.

But the lawmaker added that the tone set by the Republican-dominated Legislature also played a role, pointing to cuts in children's health insurance, services to the disabled and the fight over school finance.

Houston Chronicle -- Some rebel Texas lawmakers surface in Oklahoma town

The walkout was triggered by a congressional redistricting plan being promoted by U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Sugar Land. The plan would give Republicans an opportunity to win four to seven seats now held by Democrats and erase the Democrats' 17-15 congressional delegation majority.

Craddick and his lieutenants have been power-driving the plan through the House process during the past two weeks. A floor vote was set for Monday, and the bill was expected easily to pass the House with its 88-62 Republican majority.

"This misbegotten plan is a monument to Tom DeLay's ego," the Democrats said in their statement. "No one benefits more than Tom DeLay. He believes he should choose who represents Texas in Congress, not the Texas voters."

Houston Chronicle -- Similar to 1979 Hideout by the "Killer Bees"

Even today, some of the "Killer Bees" of 1979 are still amazed they shut down the state Senate for five days -- and torpedoed a controversial bill -- without killing each other first.

Nine of the 12 senators, all Democrats with high-powered egos, spent five days and four nights -- undetected by state troopers combing the state -- cooped up in a West Austin garage apartment with one bathroom, one bed and one couch, within two miles of the Capitol.

CNN -- 'Amber Alert' Issued for On-The-Run Texas Lawmakers

A bulletin was posted Monday on the Texas Department of Public Safety Web site -- the same one used to alert citizens to missing children and wanted criminals -- asking for help in locating the missing lawmakers.

"The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is asking the public for assistance in locating 53 Texas legislators who have disappeared," the bulletin read. "Anyone who has information regarding the current whereabouts of the legislators listed below is asked to call 1-800-525-5555."

Besides redistricting the Democrats are slowing a very bad Republican legislative steamroller.

Houston Chronicle -- Religious leaders oppose health care cuts

Proposed budget cuts to health care and other state programs would leave thousands in the lurch and pose further financial strain on faith-based groups, religious and other local leaders complained Monday.

David Meeker-Williams, pastor of Park Place United Methodist Church, said Harris County will lose $368 million to $410 million in state and federal money for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program.

"When families come to our doorsteps in need of health care, we will tell them how their representatives and senators cut these programs," Meeker-Williams said. "We will hold legislators accountable for the decisions they are making in Austin."

"Today you have a 30 percent chance you will not be able to get into an ER," he said. "What will it be like next year?"

Austin-American Statesman -- Hiding Out At Denny's With Pot Roast and Laptops

"Somebody joked that it took Tom DeLay and Tom Craddick to organize the Democratic Party," Dunnam said.

Obviously some members had more to lose than others, Dunnam said. "But everyone we talked to very rapidly had no question about what the right thing was to do: to stand against redistricting. And the only thing to do within the rules of the House was to take the action we took. Other actions were discussed, but we understood the only way to be heard on this issue was to not be present."

Denver Post -- Colorado GOP Just Passed Similar Redistricting Facing Court Challenges