Texas state representative discusses redistricting

Jodie Laubenberg, a Republican member of the Texas House ofRepresentatives, spoke to journalism students Wednesday about theinner workings of the state’s congress, addressing suchissues as state redistricting and public school financing.

Laubenberg, who is serving her first year in the house,represents District 89, which includes most of Collin and all ofRockwall Counties.

“You think you’re going to go down and enforce yourown philosophy as a freshman. However, there are 150 otherrepresentatives that want the same thing,” she said.

Laubenberg explained how the process of passing legislationcould sometimes get hectic. “It’s crazy, like afree-for-all. There are a lot of things that pass that you’restill trying to figure out afterwards.” She also said thatthere are about 700 new bills addressed each year.

She also discussed the redistricting issue that made nationalheadlines after Texas Democrats fled to New Mexico and Oklahoma tostall the vote.

“It is a simple matter where one party is now in controland the other is losing control. It’s pure politics,”said Laubenberg, who was in favor of the new plan, which wasfinally passed in a special third session.

Laubenberg presented the newly drawn maps along with the oldones to show the changes. She said that the redistricting has addedseats for Democrats who are discontent with the changes.

Another topic becoming a major issue is school financing.Laubenberg focused on the “Robin Hood” act, whichredistributes tax money from wealthier school districts to assistdistricts in need.

“We need to get a handle on how much we are sendingtowards the receiving school districts,” Laubenberg said. TheRepublican representative, whose children have both attendedprivate schools, said she has been affected by the act.

“First the schools giving their money away are havingproblems paying for things they need. And on the recovering end,these districts have discouraged economic growth,” shesaid.

Laubenberg also thinks that the media coverage surroundingpolitics is a good thing, as it helps to keep all members in checkbecause the press is always “checking for motives.”

Lastly, she claimed that politics continue to be nasty, with alot of emotion and scheming.

“You have to find who you can trust. They [the otherrepresentatives] will say one thing to your face and do anotherbehind your back,” Laubenberg said.

“She knew her stuff,” senior journalism major TedJakus said. “She … didn’t leave anythingunturned.”