KFDA - NewsChannel 10 / Amarillo News, Weather, SportsTexas redistricting controversy

AMARILLO, Texas - Redistricting counties is somewhat of a touchy topic right now in Texas.

For now, there are no major changes in the panhandle. Representative John Smithee says, since the district is so spread out, it's hard to find pockets where a new district needs to be created.

Though, our region will lose its District 88 seat. Most of that area will be absorbed by Plainview representative, Jim Landtroop, but representatives think things will still be okay. The bigger issue for many Texans is the federal court stepped in after claims newly re-drawn districts maps were unfair to minorities, but some Texans think the new maps aren't fair either.

Now some state officials, like Senator Seliger, working to appeal the re-drawn district maps and ensure the federal court is not trying to legislate things.

"I think that we need to read that very carefully and see what justification they had for the changes they made but, certainly, on those lines that were redrawn. It raises some interesting questions of... Why was that necessary?" Smithee said.