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As Texas lawmakers prepare to redraw political district maps with new census population data, some community leaders of the Rio Grande Valley fear they will get the short end of the stick.
During a Texas Senate redistricting committee hearing on Tuesday, Valley officials raised concerns about the possibility that the region, already deemed underserved, will lose out on resources because of undercounting in the 2020 census.
The census, a count of people living in the U.S. completed every decade, is used to determine government funding and congressional seats. It also serves as the basis for federal, state and local political districts, State Demographer Lloyd Potter explained at the hearing, which focused on the Rio Grande Valley.
Due to census delays, Texas state lawmakers are expected to meet in a special session in the summer or fall to hammer out new district maps. But they are already getting an earful from Texans about how not to draw them.
HOUSTON (CN) It’s a custom as quintessentially Texas as brisket barbecue and trips to the Alamo: Every 10 years its lawmakers draw new legislative maps, then the state is sued on claims of illegal gerrymandering. The current round will be no different, though delayed census data has opened the door for increased public input.
Adding an estimated 4.3 million residents since 2010, the most of any state, Texas is expected to gain three congressional seats, up to 39, in this census cycle.
Copperas Coveâs population could skyrocket to near 50,000 within the next five to seven years, according to Development Service Director Bobby Lewis.
City Manager Ryan Haverlah briefed Lewis estimations to members of the Morning Exchange Club at Lil Tex Restaurant on Jan. 6.
If Lewis estimation holds true, the next five- to seven-year growth would indicate an increase of 33% over the current population figure.
âIn five to seven years, thatâs pretty quick for Copperas Cove,â Haverlah said. âThat may not be quick for other areas, but for Copperas Cove, that is very quick, considering that for the last 20 years, we have grown at 1% or just over 1% each year.â