GUEST COLUMN
by DAVID SALAZAR
Member, Hays Citizens for Liberty and Fairness
Why is redistricting important?
The redistricting map adopted by Hays County determines your representation for the next 10 years. The final redistricting map must comply with the Voting Rights Act and each county commissioner’s precinct should contain approximately the same number of people.
As residents and taxpayers of Hays County, your input should be first and foremost in the minds of those deciding how to re-apportion our county. Pct. 2 Commissioner Mark Jones has correctly asserted that not all proposed maps will make everyone happy; however, we need to impress upon our commissioners and the county judge that they work for the people and that our taxes pay their salaries.
A local non-partisan group of citizens from all over Hays County has proposed an alternative (Map N) redistricting plan. Hays Citizens for Liberty and Fairness feel the time has come for the Court to place our concerns before politics. Map N meets the legal criteria with respect to population and minority representation. It also protects “communities of interest” without having to gerry-mander precincts. Jones’ most recent proposed map (Plan M-1, Revised Version 2) barely meets the necessary legal criteria and fails to protect those “communities of interest” currently in Pct. 2. While we appreciate his efforts, he has failed to listen to and address the peoples’ concerns through a week-long series of town hall meetings.
Jones has made it clear that he would like to “retain jurisdiction over as many of the unincorporated neighborhoods as possible” as they rely on the county for public services, but city residents pay county taxes, too! And we pay them on top of our city tax burden. We are rightfully entitled to public services and representation from Hays County.
Plan N proposes to keep the majority of the city of Kyle where it is and keeps Hometown Kyle and Mountain City within Pct. 2, as well as all of the city of Buda and most of its ETJ. Yes, there is a small portion of unincorporated subdivisions along FM 967 West that may go to Pct. 4, but with additional revisions some of these areas may be brought back within the boundaries of Pct. 2. It will just take more work.
Jones also states it is important to him to maintain “jurisdiction over critical road projects.” The city of Kyle has made investments in local roads and mobility in excess of $40 million, including improvements to FM 1626, Kohler’s Crossing, Interstate 35, and the FM 150 realignment; Buda has made similar investments. There are other projects that our cities have built in partnership with Hays County, but the aforementioned thoroughfares bear traffic from all parts of the county, even though much of the costs for these improvements are paid by city taxpayers.
Some folks are quick to shift the focus of redistricting from the issue of representation to the prioritizing of transportation or water projects. Some have even been misguided enough to suggest that all of our transportation ills will be fixed by attempting to influence upcoming elections in a neighboring county. Don’t be fooled. Redistricting is about your voice in your local government, not about funding pet projects or including precincts to ensure a future re-election.
Is this going to be a difficult process? It has been so far.
Should it be? Not if our elected officials focus on serving the best interests of the residents they are supposed to represent.
By the time this article makes it to press, the commissioners court will have held their first “official” public hearing on redistricting at the county courthouse in San Marcos. You have two more opportunities to make your voice heard on the record – 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 9, and 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 16.
If you cannot attend one of these public hearings, write your county commissioner and the county judge.
You have the power to demand accountability from your Hays County Commissioners Court.
David Salazar is a former member of the Kyle City Council, has served on a number of local and regional boards and committees, and is the current chair of the Hays Education Foundation.
