Rep. Richard Raymond: lessons of the redistricting battle and what lies ahead

 

Despite a frenetic law school schedule that keeps him on the run, Rep. Richard Raymond made the time to catch up with LareDOS to reflect on the lessons of the redistricting battle and what lies ahead when the Legislature convenes.

 

LareDOS : Bring us up to speed on the redistricting issue.

Rep. Richard Raymond: We have appealed the decision on redistricting to the U.S. Supreme Court. We will probably know by May whether or not they are going to accept it. If they do accept it and we win, then the plan that was passed will no longer be any good. Webb county will then be put back together.

Your role in the redistricting fight was one of leadership. Certainly it made your constituency aware of your commitment to them, to South Texas , and to the idea of equal representation. What was the aspect of the Republican redistricting plan that seemed most unfair to you, most reprehensible?

What seemed to me most unfair was how the Republicans systematically split minority communities, in some case into four or five, so that we would be weaker politically. It also split rural communities in a way that means we will never have another member of Congress from rural Texas . Also disappointing was the fact that of the 7,000-plus who testified on this issue around the state, nearly 90 percent testified against (this included minorities and Anglos, Democrats, Republicans, and Independents).

The redistricting fight was a galvanizing one. What kind of longstanding alliances were forged with your Democratic colleagues in the redistricting fight?

The Representatives and Senators who stood up to this injustice are people I will never forget. Not a single one of them.

What did you learn from that politically unsavory battle?

I never thought my generation would have to fight for something as basic as our voting rights -- I was wrong. Our voting rights have been violated and that's why I'm fighting this all the way to the Supreme Court (I am one of the plaintiffs). I've also learned that people don't like their rights being trampled upon and they respond when it happens. I truly believe the Republican party will come to regret having done this.

What has prompted your desire to undertake law school studies?

I've always been interested in the law (that's probably obvious). I worked for two U.S. Senators, Lloyd Bentsen and Paul Simon, and I've served in the Texas House for nine years now. But I'm one of those people who doesn't think he knows everything. I believe you can learn more every day. For some time, family, friends, colleagues, and supporters have encouraged me to take up formal study of the law. I came to the conclusion that studying law between legislative sessions, then making laws during legislative sessions, made sense. I think it will make me a more effective legislator and a better public servant.

You are one of the most grounded and credible legislators to represent the people of Laredo, and certainly you have the esteem not only of your colleagues in the Legislature but also of many in the press who watch politicians and write about them. How do you keep your conscience?

I was lucky that I was raised by parents, grandparents, and had my great-grandmother, Mama Conchita Rubio, from Laredo, who passed away when I was 21, who all took a great interest in me and gave me love, direction, and support. I now have a wonderful wife and three children who do the same thing. The point is, all these people, along with my brother, sister, and nephew, are my conscience. As long as I have them, or their memory, reminding me about the important things in life, I have my conscience.

Why does Jan Reid like you and think you are a legislator of merit?

Jan Reid is one of the great Texas writers. Some people may not know him, but many do. He has seen me in action, but also gotten to know me personally over the years. He is one of the most politically educated people around. He has studied and reported or written about the political process for a long time. If he has nice things to say about me, I'm flattered.

What's up ahead when the Legislature convenes again? What's on your priority list?

The main issue we are discussing and that is likely to dominate will be funding for our public schools. There are many (Republicans mostly) who want to change the current system of school finance in Texas . My priority is that we not move back in time on this issue. For decades, funding schools was unfair and we suffered along the border and in South Texas . I also want to make sure we don't do something that runs businesses out of Texas or leads to job losses.

In terms of the border, what are the failures of the current Republican administration?

The failure to truly have an understanding about the dynamic of the U.S.-Mexico border. How the economy works, how culture is so important, how health care and educational needs are different from other parts of the country. For example, what they are trying to do on trucking issues or with the U.S. VISIT program. They are trying to address problems they see, but look at it through the lenses of New York or Florida . They should try looking through the eyes of Texas or California . Governor Bush used to say "one size does not fit all." George W. Bush and his administration should try to remember that "one size does not fit all" when you're President either. What works in one part of the country may be economically devastating for another. What is disappointing is that you don't get a sense they genuinely care to learn the differences.

How involved will you be in the upcoming race to regain the White House?

I'll be as involved as the Democratic nominee wants. I was an early supporter of General Wesley Clark for President. He and I get along well and I think he would be great for this country. If the nominee is someone else, I'll be campaigning for him or advising him and his staff, as much as they would like. In Texas or anywhere else.