CITY OF SAN ANTONIO
GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
TO: Intergovernmental Relations Council Committee
FROM: Jeff Coyle, Director of Government & Public Affairs
SUBJECT: Redistricting Committee Hearing Briefing
DATE: October 10, 2019
At the October 14th IGR Committee meeting Government & Public Affairs (GPA) will provide a briefing on Texas House of Representatives Redistricting Committee meetings held in Austin, TX on September 10, and San Antonio, TX on September 12.
The Committee on Redistricting has begun holding public hearings to aid the Legislature in making redistricting decisions. The hearings provide an opportunity for citizens to present relevant testimony concerning local preferences, communities of interest, local voting patterns, and other issues for the legislature to consider when redrawing district lines. Several field hearings are taking place across the state to maximize opportunities for Texans to share information. Representatives Lyle Larson and Ina Minjarez are San Antonio members on the Redistricting Committee.
Invited testimony for the September 10 and 12 Committee hearings included Dr. Lloyd Potter, State Demographer, and Karen White from the Texas Legislative Council. Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia provided introductory statements on behalf of the City of San Antonio.
Information provided by the State Demographer indicated that Texas’ population growth estimate from 2010 through 2018 was 14%, an additional 3,555,731 individuals. Texas’ 14% growth makes it one of the fastest growing regions in the Country, the nationwide growth for the 2010-2018 timeframe is 6%.
The San Antonio region is one of the fastest growing in the state. Bexar County’s projected growth from 2010-2020 is 22%, or an additional 378,729 individuals. This projected numeric growth is second in the state, only behind Harris County. Growth along the I-35 corridor accounts for four of the top ten counties in the state with highest percentage growth, including Kendal, Comal, Hays, and Williamson counties.
Due to the strong population growth in the state, Texas is projected to gain 3 additional Congressional seats.
Additional hearing dates have been set between October 9 through 23 in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Houston.