'Voter Disenfranchisement Will Undoubtedly Be Worse': TX Lawmaker Perez Slams GOP's Redistricting

Forbes Breaking News

During debate on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives, Rep. Mary Ann Perez (D) spoke in opposition to Republicans' redistricting legislation.

Transcript

00:00Recognize Ms. Perez. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, I have lived in CD29 all the days of

00:07my life, and with the passage of this map, it will move me to CD9. With these redistricted

00:13maps, voter disenfranchisement will undoubtedly be worse in many communities like mine. Based

00:20on data from the 2020 Census, Latino voters make up about 43.4% of the people in Harris

00:27County, Texas. The Hispanic population has been the largest ethnic group in Harris

00:32County since 2010. In fact, in Houston, over 38% of Houstonians aged five years and

00:40older speak Spanish at home. This is the case for many of my constituents. My

00:47community deserves fair representation. Representatives who share their values,

00:52understand their culture, and are able to communicate in their first language.

00:57Representatives who truly understand the struggles that Hispanic communities

01:02face. The Hispanic population is already underrepresented. These maps further

01:08affect our representation. Additionally, based on 2020 Census data, black or

01:14African-American residents make up 18.7% of the total population of Harris County.

01:21Those two groups, when combined, make up the clear majority. Despite making up the clear

01:28majority in Houston, where I live, and in this state, our voters' voices are diluted. Our communities

01:36certainly deserve to have their voices heard. I urge you to join me in voting no on this bill.

01:44Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

01:45Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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