Texas GOP Trying to Gut Ethics Inquiry, Critics Say(Protect DeLay)

[LiviaOlivia]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-ethics11feb11,1,7321903.story?coll=la-headlines-nation
THE NATION
Texas GOP Trying to Gut Ethics Inquiry, Critics Say
A bill introduced in the Legislature is called a blatant bid to protect Republicans, including Rep. Tom DeLay, from a fundraising probe.
By Scott Gold
Times Staff Writer

February 11, 2005

HOUSTON — Late last year, Republican leaders in Washington caused a stir, even among some allies, when they tried to protect House Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Texas by revoking an ethics rule that would force him to step down if indicted. Now, Republican leaders in Texas are pushing a measure that watchdogs call a junior version of the Washington effort.

~snip~

A bill filed this week by a veteran state GOP lawmaker would give the Texas Ethics Commission — whose members were appointed by the three top elected officials in the state, all Republicans — the power to quash the prosecution of a politician. Critics call it a brazen attempt to protect GOP leaders who might become entangled in an ongoing criminal investigation into whether illegal fundraising paved the party's rise to power in the state.

~snip~

The bill would create an investigative arm of the Ethics Commission, which would be authorized to conduct investigations into alleged criminal conduct under the state Election Code.

~snip~

It also says that a district attorney, including the one in Austin who is overseeing the fundraising investigation, would be prohibited from continuing such an inquiry if the Ethics Commission did not agree that charges were warranted. Denny said she believed district attorneys would welcome input from people who specialized in election law.

~snip~

[Jack The Tab]

1. Holy wow...

This is one of the most blatantly fascist pieces of legislation I've I think I've ever seen.

[Briarius]

2. why beat around the bush?

Why not just make investigations of Republicans illegal? Honest to god, if it weren't so sick it would be funny

[Turbineguy]

3. Yes. Instead of Miranda

the Police would ask if you are a republican. Answer yes, and they ask, "do you need any help cleaning up the blood?"

[SideshowScott]

4. That would be funny..If it were not true

My god..its really truning out that way isnt it..Just ask Joe Scarbough

[TexasLawyer]

5. NOTHING is enough for these people! n/t

[sui generis]

6. They should also rename Texas to Texistan

I'm sure they're also quietly working on a bill to outlaw the democratic party and to make the governorship of Texas a constitutional monarchy.

The Texas Republican state legislation is a group of slack jawed gap toothed one nutted yokels from the back country boonies and wilds of this state. Without exception they are the most backwards, entitled, uneducated lazy, crooked bastards that ever held public office in any state.

They meet once every two years for their "biennial" legislative session and the rest of the time they're out taking bribes, strong arming local government and surrounding themselves with republican sycophants, and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison is just a national version of that standard.

Let me tell you what I really think!

[oneighty]

7. kick

180

[Moderator]

8. kick

[Robbien]

9. Texas legislation could end DeLay probe

Texas state Rep. Mary Denny (R), chairwoman of the Texas House Elections Commission, has introduced legislation that could stop Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle’s investigation of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay’s (R-Texas) political operation.

Denny’s bill would establish a special office in the Texas Ethics Commission with the power to stop district attorneys from prosecuting violations of the state’s ethics code. BNA Money & Politics Report reported the potential threat to Earle’s investigation yesterday.

The legislation would require district attorneys to notify the special office of alleged violations before taking any action. The special office would have 45 days to review alleged violations and could prevent prosecution if after conducting its own investigation it determined the allegations to be unfounded. District attorneys could only pursue a criminal prosecution if the office concluded an offense had been committed. The bill would take effect Sept. 1.

Fred Wertheimer, the president of Democracy 21, a government watchdog group based in Washington, immediately condemned the proposal as an attempt to shield DeLay from possible indictment. “The Texas legislative scheme appears to be yet another blatant and irresponsible effort to shut down an enforcement process that could encompass House Majority Leader Tom DeLay,” said Wertheimer.

http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/021505/brief.html

[Richardo]

10. Seems pretty unconstitutional to me...

...but I'm writing letters nevertheless.

[ElectroPrincess]

12. Yes, the RW Tex-I-Can republicans have neither morals nor shame. EOM

[okieinpain]

11. wow, and I guess if the dems get in power the repugs will then say

that the new office is not needed any more. I would give one of my fingers for some good old investigative reporting. now you just get these little tib bits here and there just so everybody can say "yes, we reported that).

[KingoftheJungle]

13. What is the point of being a prosecutor if you have to run cases by ...

a special office to be deemed "worthy" of pursuing? What the fuck is going on in this country? Just good ol' fashioned fascism and political corruption, baby. Nothing new.

[Norquist Nemesis]

14. GRRR! It's not just "input", Ms. Denny

It seems from the article that it it authority over the AG, but this broad's spinning it like it's simply constructive criticisms.

I sure hope Texans are lighting up the phone lines and organizing a protest march on this one.