A former county commissioner is suing Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, claiming Hidalgo and the county violated state law when they met to approve redistricting maps.
Former Commissioner Steve Radack argues the commissioners violated the Open Meetings Act because they did not make public the map that ultimately was approved within 72 hours of the meeting.
The lawsuit seeks to invalidate the court’s adoption of the new maps.
County Attorney Christian Menefee dismissed the suit as “meritless.” The Open Meetings Act requires governments to post public notices about meetings at least three days before they occur. Courts and attorneys general have said the notices have to be sufficiently specific to let the public know what will be addressed. It does not require them to post supporting documents, although governments sometimes do.
The county posted a timely notice of the meeting and met on Oct. 28 to take up redistricting. The lone item on the agenda said: “Request to receive public input regarding Harris County Commissioners Court redistricting plans, and consider and possibly adopt an order approving a new district/precinct plan for Harris County Commissioners Court, including any amendments thereto.”
This lawsuit was filed on December 31, just a few days after the first lawsuit was dismissed. Funny how this wasn’t an issue before then. This is another Andy Taylor joint, and how sweet it must be for him to get another ride on the ol’ gravy train. But seriously, cry me a river, fellas.
I have to agree with you on this one. Republicans redistrict all the time. Democrats won and now they redistrict. Politics makes strange Bedfellows. When Andy Taylor teamed up with Mayor Parker and the Red Light Camera companies he was vicious. He was also a Hero here. He tried to get the organizer of the Baytown movement indicted. I hope he loses.
Pingback: Supreme Court rejects mandamus over Commissioners Court redistricting – Off the Kuff