State Rep. Nicole Collier, D-Fort Value, has been an outspoken critic of the redistricting maps, which she argues dilute minority voting energy.
AUSTIN, Texas — A Fort Value lawmaker is staging her personal stand contained in the Texas Capitol.
State Rep. Nicole Collier should stay on the ground of the Texas Home of Representatives after declining to signal a doc Monday that may assign her a legislation enforcement escort to watch her actions throughout the state, based on a information launch.
Collier remained on the Home ground in a single day, sleeping there accompanied by different Home Democrats.
This comes within the wake of a tense standoff between Republicans and Democrats that has stretched on for weeks. Earlier this month, dozens of Home Democrats left the state, many to Chicago, to stop a quorum and stall a particular legislative session targeted on redrawing the state’s congressional maps.
Home Speaker Dustin Burrows mentioned Monday that Democrats who beforehand left the state couldn’t depart the chamber until they agreed to having a DPS escort. Collier refused one and should stay within the chamber.
Collier, a seven-term lawmaker and former chair of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus who represents a majority-minority district, mentioned she won’t undergo what she described as intimidation techniques.
“I refuse to signal away my dignity as a duly elected consultant simply so Republicans can management my actions and monitor me with police escorts,” Collier mentioned in a press release.
For Collier, the struggle is about defending her constituents in opposition to what she calls discriminatory redistricting maps that weaken minority voting energy.
“My constituents despatched me to Austin to guard their voices and rights,” she mentioned. “Once I press that button to vote, I do know these maps will hurt my constituents — I received’t simply go alongside quietly with their intimidation or their discrimination.”
Democratic colleagues have voiced help for Collier’s choice and known as on Home management to revive public entry to the chamber galleries, which have been closed through the standoff. State Rep. Jasmine Crockett mentioned in a publish on X that, “Texas Republicans have misplaced their rattling minds.”
The Texas Senate redistricting committee permitted the maps on Sunday, and the complete Senate will take them up someday this week.
