My hometown of Austin is known as a bastion of liberalism in a decidedly conservative state. We take pride in our tolerance, our concern for the environment and support for progressive causes, and our diversity. But in 2011 the Republican-controlled Texas legislature, in a “rushed and secretive process,” sought to subvert Austin’s reputation as a Democratic stronghold and dilute the vote of its Latino and black constituents, by redrawing voting districts in a manner which a federal panel has now called discriminatory.
bruton