STATE LEGISLATURE KICKS OFF SPECIAL SESSION

  

The Texas Legislature meets today, kicking off a 30-day special session dedicated to redrawing political maps.

The Legislature is tasked with setting new boundaries for House and Senate districts in addition to redrawing new district maps for the state’s congressional seats and for the State Board of Education.

Republicans hold majorities in both chambers and are expected use the process to position their party for the next decade.

The 31-member Senate is made up of 18 Republicans and 13 Democrats.

The first draft of the redistricting map includes 19 senate districts where Trump voters outnumbered Biden voters — up from 16 districts currently.

Among other items on the agenda for the special session: vaccine mandates, transgender student-athletes, American Rescue Plan Act appropriations and animal cruelty.