![In fast-growing Central Texas, redistricting sparks political reshuffling in upcoming statehouse and congressional races](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/y1_YEBJ-ejigt7mdonlqs4iQ7bA=/800x536/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/63V7R6GSSNEJHJHXAPL7P57MJM.jpg)
In fast-growing Central Texas, redistricting sparks political reshuffling in upcoming statehouse and congressional races
The fast-growing region likely will see a considerable number of new state and federal lawmakers after the 2022 election. And in many cases, they will be representing districts whose boundaries have significantly shifted.
![Texas lawmaker who was in DC during insurrection refuses to release his state emails from early January](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/_9RoQqftfF2MhpMWOqV05Tu1tM8=/1387x780/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/REQHAVXDIZETRJROKSAMMUSJIA.jpg)
Texas lawmaker who was in DC during insurrection refuses to release his state emails from early January
AUSTIN, Texas โ A Texas state representative from Fredericksburg has refused a request from the KSAT 12 Defenders to release public emails from the dates surrounding his trip to Washington, D.C., to attend a President Donald Trump rally. Under Texas law, email inboxes maintained by taxpayer-funded government agencies, including the Texas Legislature, are public. Biedermannโs chief of staff, Karin Dyer, responded to the request in late January claiming the office had nothing responsive to release. Coincidentally, on Jan. 6, Biedermann received an email from Abbott naming a person from his district to the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists. AdThe Defenders have filed a complaint against Biedermannโs office with the attorney generalโs office over the refusal to release the emails.
![Texas secession bill formally filed in state legislature](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/Yv2f0E__gwLt_RAxtGahMqzQ8kc=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ZEGOI7EKO5H4VI2B2PNSVWJIOE.jpg)
Texas secession bill formally filed in state legislature
After weeks of touting his secession bill on social media, State Rep. Kyle Biedermann, R-Fredericksburg, formally filed the proposed legislation on Friday, which would give Texans a chance to explore opting out of the union in a referendum. โIt is now time that the People of Texas are allowed the right to decide their own future. Let Texans Vote!โThe bill is unlikely to pass and has already been rebuked by fellow Republicans, including State Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Dallas. Based on what youโve said the bill does, it seems like the most anti-American bill Iโve seen in my 4+ terms in the Texas House. https://t.co/xQOqDi80qj โ Jeff Leach (@leachfortexas) January 17, 2021Biedermann said a petition he created in support of the bill garnered more than 12,000 signatures.
![Texas can't legally secede from the U.S., despite popular myth](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/TT5FYk_4Bejq7AyE5vJ6W8XoWjQ=/1200x803/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/72EP3IR3XZG4FIJMOKCPOBAL7A.jpg)
Texas can't legally secede from the U.S., despite popular myth
Historical and legal precedents make it clear that Texas could not leave the Union โ at least not legally. And even if it did, experts say, Texas can't just secede. AdYet the myth that Texas can easily secede persists, in part, because of the stateโs history of independence. It says nothing of splitting apart from the United States. After the Civil War, Texas was readmitted to the Union in 1870.
![โWe wanted to be heardโ: Texas lawmaker explains why he attended Trump rally in DC on day of deadly insurrection](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/_9RoQqftfF2MhpMWOqV05Tu1tM8=/1387x780/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/REQHAVXDIZETRJROKSAMMUSJIA.jpg)
โWe wanted to be heardโ: Texas lawmaker explains why he attended Trump rally in DC on day of deadly insurrection
A Texas state representative from the Hill Country who was in Washington, D.C. last week for a rally in support of President Donald Trump later downplayed the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol during a talk radio appearance. (The FBI has arrested or is seeking out dozens of far-right Trump supporters and white nationalists after they were seen inside the Capitol.) The lawmakerโs comments came during a Jan. 7 appearance on the show, as Biedermann described why he traveled to Washington D.C. for the rally the day before. District 73 deserves better representation.โThe Texas Democratic Party called on state Republican leadership, including Gov. Weโll see what side of history Texas Republicans choose to stand on,โ said Texas Democratic Party spokesperson Abhi Rahman.
![Texit? State representative will file bill to allow Texas to secede from the United States](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/Yv2f0E__gwLt_RAxtGahMqzQ8kc=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ZEGOI7EKO5H4VI2B2PNSVWJIOE.jpg)
Texit? State representative will file bill to allow Texas to secede from the United States
State Rep. Kyle Biedermann, R-Fredericksburg, told his supporters on Facebook that he plans to file a bill allowing for a referendum on secession. The federal government is out of control and does not represent the values of Texans. Biedermann did not offer more specifics on the bill, which has yet to be filed, online records show. In 1868, the Supreme Court maintained that Texas is in an โindissoluble relationโ when it became part of the United States. The representative was once photographed at a Halloween party in a โgay Hitlerโ costume based on a Saturday Night Live character.