Votelaw, Edward Still's blog on law and politics

Texas roundup: they're still gone ... but they are planning on coming back. The Austin American Statesman reports on Democratic plans:

The Senate members won't comment on their plan, but Austin lawyer Keith Hampton, who is allied with them, said a legal strategy is still evolving.

One possibility, he said, would be to seek a restraining order or injunction prohibiting the sergeants-at-arms of both the Senate and House from trying to round up absent legislators.

The legal argument, Hampton said, might be that compelling elected officials to attend the special session violates their right to independent political expression.

Dewhurst (who has ruled out using force to get his senators back) lashed out Monday at reports that the Democrats are looking for a federal judge willing to grant a restraining order, saying it "is beneath the dignity of the Texas Senate."

The El Paso Times reports on the Empire striking back:

[Democrats] also criticized Texas Republican leaders for preparing to launch what the Democrats contend will be a multimillion-dollar TV and radio campaign attacking them for spoiling efforts to redraw the state's 32 congressional districts. The Democrats contend redistricting would hurt minorities.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Rick Perry said there are no plans to buy media spots. A spokesman for Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst would neither confirm nor deny the report.

"I wouldn't be surprised at all if they try to use their millions to influence the thinking of average, everyday Texans," said Senate Democratic Caucus Chairwoman Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio. "Our objective is clear and our conviction is pure. And, therefore, we don't have to fabricate a message or hire a public relations firm.

"All we have to do is tell the truth," she said.

The exiled Democrats said they are getting flooded with e-mails, phone calls, flowers, food and care packages from supporters. But some of the messages are laced with "extreme profanity, vulgarity and racial slurs to intimidate the 11 of us, our staffs and our family," Van de Putte, said. "I'm really disgusted."

Her office has received about 30 such calls and e-mails, she said. Other minority lawmakers are getting similar treatment.