Maps, meeting prompt lawsuit
A former Harris County commissioner is suing County Judge Lina Hidalgo, claiming she and the county violated state law when they met to approve redistricting maps.
Former Commissioner Steve Radack argues that the commissioners violated the Open Meetings Act because they did not make public the map that ultimately was approved within 72 hours of the meeting.
The lawsuit seeks to invalidate the court’s adoption of the new maps.
County Attorney Christian Menefee dismissed the suit as “meritless.” The Open Meetings Act requires governments to post public notices about meetings at least three days before they occur. Courts and attorneys general have said the notices have to be sufficiently specific to let the public know what will be addressed. It does not require them to post supporting documents, although governments sometimes do.
The county posted a timely notice of the meeting and met Oct. 28 to take up redistricting. The lone item on the agenda said: “Request to receive public input regarding Harris County Commissioners Court redistricting plans, and consider and possibly adopt an order approving a new district/ precinct plan for Harris County Commissioners Court, including any amendments thereto.”
Andy Taylor, Radack’s lawyer in the case, said they do not think that was adequate notice for the specific map made by Commissioner Rodney Ellis, which he dubbed the “Stealth Plan.” It gave one of the court’s two Republicanleaning districts a Democratic advantage, likely cementing a Democratic supermajority af
ter the 2022 elections.
“We believe the evidence will show that the map was created prior to October 28th but a decision was made not to share that map with the public. In order for the Open Meetings Act to have any meaning or value, we contend that the Ellis 3 Stealth Plan should have been publicly posted … ahead of time in compliance with the 72-hour requirement.”
The lawsuit was filed Friday, and Hidalgo and the county have not responded to it yet, according to court documents. Hidalgo’s office did not respond to a request for comment, and Ellis declined to comment.