OCTOBER 6, 2021 $90M PROPOSITION
DIALOGUE FOR PEACE
City of Buda hosts forums to explain, answer questions $90 million proposition.
Local community leaders host dialogue in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month.
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Hays Free Press © Barton Publications, Inc.
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HaysFreePress.com
Vol. 127 • No. 27
Serving Hays County, TX
PHOTOS BY SAHAR CHMAIS Thousands of people gathered at the steps of the state capital this weekend to protest the Texas abortion bill. Below, a minorty of pro-life protesters held opposing signs and expressed their opposing opinions.
Thousands gather to protest Texas abortion bill BY SAHAR CHMAIS
“As an Iraqi freedom veteran, as someone who defended our freedom for this country, to have our government slowly take away those freedoms is insulting and plain out scary,” said Melanie Molien, Hays County resident who attended the Women’s March rally. “We have fought too long for equality. A woman’s life matters.” Molien was one of the thousands who joined the
Across the nation, thousands gathered at Women’s March rallies to fight the Texas bill that took effect Sept. 1, which allows anyone in the U.S. to sue a person who aids an abortion in Texas for $10,000.
rally protesting against SB 8, dubbed the “heartbeat bill,” at the Texas Capitol on the hot Saturday morning. SB 8 bans abortions once a heartbeat is detected, which is generally around the sixth
week after conception. Oftentimes women do not know they are pregnant at that stage. Like many other protestors and politicians
WOMEN’S MARCH, 14
Changing Boundaries Kyle celebrates birthday Saturday The city of Kyle is having a birthday celebration at the annual Founders Parade on Saturday, Oct. 9 starting at 10 a.m. The town of Kyle was platted and the first lots
KYLE BIRTHDAY, 6
MAP INFORMATION FROM: WWW.DVR.CAPITOL.TEXAS.GOV/ By law, redistricting maps for state representatives are redrawn after every ten years based on census numbers. The map on the left is what has been in place since 2011 and the map on the right is the proposed map. The Texas Redistricting Committee will continue negotiations. District 45 is in blue and District 73 is in green.
Redistricting map would split Hays County “While I’m incredibly grateful that the I-35 corridor was kept whole, as it should be, I’m disappointed on a personal level that I was drawn out of the district,” Zwiener said. “However, I still hope to run in House District 45...
BY SAHAR CHMAIS
Texas redistricting committee has drawn State Representative Erin Zwiener (D-Driftwood) residence out of House District 45. Zwiener was elected to represent the district in 2018, and does not want to abandon her position. “While I’m incredibly grateful that the I-35 corridor was kept whole, as it should be, I’m disappointed on a personal level that I was drawn out of the district,” Zwiener said. “However, I still hope
to run in House District 45... I’m hopeful that we can address these drafting errors, create district lines that make sense for Hays County residents, and restore my home to District 45.” A small portion of
SPARKS ON DAIS
Kyle council members raise accusations of hostility leading to P&Z turnover.
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Wimberley south of Packsaddle Pass would be in District 45 and, in Dripping Springs ISD, some schools will be in different districts On average across the state, districts for state representative are drawn with around
200,000 residents per district. Hays County’s population can no longer be contained in one House district. The proposed map will put the bulk of the county population into District 45, while District 73 will include 40,000 Hays County residents and all of Comal County. An amendment was introduced during the Texas House of Representatives redistricting meeting, which began on Monday and ran into early Tuesday morning, to draw maps that ensure school dis-
The Hays Free Press Barton Publications, Inc. The Hays Free Press (USPS 361-430) published weekly by Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. Periodicals postage paid at Buda, TX 78610 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. ISSN#1087-9323
tricts and cities are kept together for common interests. The amendment was withdrawn but will be discussed among members of the Texas House. The redistricting map is still in the drafting process and will likely continue to change as it goes through the legislative process, before Gov. Greg Abbott signs off on the new map. Redistricting meetings in Hays County will be live-streamed to give residents the chance to participate if they cannot go in-person.