City wins round: No Redistricting this year

Judge Sim Lake (Enron Judge!) has dismissed a major case against the City of Houston.

Earlier this year, a group of local activists, including the Houston Hispanic Chamber, filed a lawsuit against the City of Houston to force redistricting this year.  They wanted to add two council seats this year, therefore increasing the possibility that more Latinos would be elected to City Council.  The argument being that according to the City Charter, the city must redraw lines when the population reaches a certain point. 

The City resisted, saying they only wanted to redistrict AFTER the census because that is the official.  Federal Judge Sim Lake agreed, saying in his opinion that the plaintiffs basically didn't prove how they were damaged by the city waiting for the census.  I've uploaded an image of the final paragraph, just click and read.  So, no new council seats for now.  We'll have to wait another two years.