Perry can call lawmakers into a special session but only to consider new districts for Congress and the State Board of Education, or he could just let the courts decide. The LRB is made up of acting Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff, House Speaker Pete Laney, Attorney General John Cornyn, Comptroller Carole Keeton Rylander and Land Commissioner David Dewhurst. The panel will have 90 days to begin meeting and 60 more to devise a plan. Plan may end up in court Democrats are concerned because the redistricting board is Republican, except for Laney. But Democrats will be monitoring the board's actions to make sure they don't draw up a plan that favors Republicans.
Most observers expect the plan to end up in court anyway.
At stake is control of the Legislature. Republicans hope to gain control of the House but Democrats hold a 78 to 72 advantage. Republicans hold a 16-15 edge in the Senate. No matter what happens, Texans should be disappointed in their elected officials' inability to do their jobs and pass a redistricting plan. Wentworth had some good advice for Texans a year ago as the Senate and House redistricting committees sought public input on the process.