Here are the questions the 5th Circuit asked the Texas Supremes to answer: https://ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/unpub/22/22-50110.0.pdf, Chuck Lindell (@chucklindell) 2:45 PM 23 March 2022. One week later, just six days from election day, the Harris County Republican Party notified us that its judges would not participate in the program.. Todays decision allows the threat of criminal prosecution to loom over election officials trying to help voters.. Instead, Hidalgo said, the comptroller should have calculated on the basis of pay periods rather than the number of months. Several other provisions of SB 1 have been challenged ina half-dozenlawsuitsby civil rights groups and theBiden administrations Justice Department,includingbans on 24-hour and drive-thru voting, ID requirements for mail-in ballots andprotections for partisan poll watchers. The Department of Justice haschallengedS.B. I will pass along information about the fundraiser when I have it. We should be looking for ways to support these public servants rather than constantly undermining the hard work it takes to run an election in the third largest county in the country, added County Attorney Menefee. And in their lawsuit, they flat out misrepresent the countys plans to the court, making several statements that they know are demonstrably false., (Longorias) office successfully used constables in the May 7 election, and the GOP had no problem at that time, said Odus Evbagharu, chairman of the Harris County Democratic Party. So there you have it.
In a statement, Longoria said: In April, the EAs Office discussed the May 7 law enforcement and county driver program with the Secretary of States Offices Managing Attorney of the Elections Division, specifically requesting guidance and recommendations. It could also ask voters to approve the funding reduction in a referendum, Hegar said. And in response to the recent Court of Criminal Appeals case holding that the Texas Attorney General has no independent authority to prosecute criminal offenses created in the Election Code, they also sued the Harris, Travis, and Williamson County district attorneys to challenge the criminal penalties imposed by the anti-solicitation provision. Work demands keep most lawyers in private practice from frequent or lengthy vacations. Itll become too much of a political annoyance for him, and it could end up costing him dearly. Each of those votes represents a Harris County resident who participated in our democratic process. Abbott is exceeding his authority under the state Disaster Act of 1975, Menefee argued, which the county attorney said allows the governor to suspend laws in only narrow circumstances. Check out how to write a Harris County attorney letter. There may be an opinion in the future that addresses that question.. That doesnt mean the Legislature wants resources to be used toward nudging people toward voting by mail.. Members of the Texas Transportation Commission, however, stopped short of imposing a deadline or considering shelving the project, as they have in the past when removing the $9 billion plan from the states short-range plan was a possibility. Instead, the court did not issue an opinion and election night ballot countingproceeded uneventfullyat NRG Arena. Notes, Premarital I didnt look closely at new Commissioner Briones report, but Id bet a nice lunch that a substantial chunk of her cash arrived after the election. Neighborhoods with batch plants lack deed restrictions and zoning to protect them, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee said. I would quibble with the assertion that Abbott took swift action as you know, Ive been marveling at how long it took him to respond. Guide, Incorporation 2023-00952; Nile Copeland v. Judge Latosha Lewis Payne. The move came at the end of a whirlwind day where local officials in Dallas and San Antonio prevailed at least temporarily in their own legal challenges to the governors order. See here for the background. Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee announced a settlement of the countys lawsuit against e-cigarette company JUUL Labs, Inc. over claims that JUUL deceptively marketed its products to children. Let me just show you what that second linked file says: The case underlying these certified questions is a pre-enforcement challenge to two recently enacted provisions of the Texas Election Code: section 276.016(a) (the anti-solicitation provision) and section 31.129 (the civil-liability provision) as applied to the anti-solicitation provision. I hope that as long as things are still being worked out theres still room to get assurances and confirmations about the things that Metro has agreed to. 5 Cause No. The request drew a fast rebuke from Democratic Party leaders and Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee. Judge Craft is represented by Steve Kherker. There are apparently 2,100 provisional Election Day ballots in question, out of 2,555 total E-Day provisionals and 2,420 that included a vote in this race. In a 4-1 vote, the court authorized County Attorney Christian Menefee to pursue a lawsuit against the comptrollers office. Judge Hidalgo is represented by Neal Manne. Mark Goldberg Assistant District Attorney | Harris County District Attorney's Office. In a primary election, each polling location has one judge from each party overseeing their own partys voting process. Harris County, TX Attorney. How much does a District Attorney make? I can't seem to place how this letter pertains to me at all. Morgan testified that she was concerned the law applied even to volunteers like her, given that her role is formally certified by county election offices. The amended complaint was filed on Monday, December 27. The Press has more. Pick a favored file format to save the document (.pdf or .docx). His application of state law is wrong. The county and Claibornes lawyers are expected later on Friday to debate whether a temporary restraining order and injunction should be granted. Though not a guarantee of funding or a commitment to build the projects listed, it details what the state plans to do. Theres clearly a difference of interpretation of the law here, and if that cant be resolved on its own then a courtroom is the proper venue. I didnt write about the initial failure of the board to pass a rule requiring that bail bond companies must charge a minimum of ten percent of whatever bail had been set. And completely out of the blue. Nothing on this site constitutes legal advice or gives rise to a solicitor/client relationship. It will only work when communication between the parties is good enough for them to engage in a discussion without arguments, no serious power imbalance between the parties exist, and full transparency of financial matters is available. One of his top staffers ran against Judge Hidalgo in the 2022 Dem primary, and I imagine there will be some kind of response to that. The proceedings are pending. Harris County officials argued as much in a filing to the Texas Supreme Court on Tuesday. Others rub shoulders with business leaders, politicians, sports figures, and even celebrities. These election contests are frivolous attempts to overturn the votes of more than a million residents in the third largest county in the country. Sandlin 38,580 28,502 0 79,998
Of course the [Texas Supreme Court] proceedings remain pending and the court could rule on something. 2023-01052; Sartaj Bal v. Judge Toria Finch. 1 went into effect on December 2, 2021. Were here today because the TCEQ failed to address these issues when it had the chance.. The challenges were first reported by The New York Times, which found the affidavits disputed the eligibility of more than 6,000 voters. As far as this goes, I dont think anyone is making any new arguments, and there continues to be a large gap between what activists and local governments want out of the project and what TxDOT is willing to give. Doing nothing is identical to telling the other lawyer take me to court.. Morales-Doyle said that Morgan began the case with a reasonable fear of prosecution and while the state has indicated a disinclination to prosecute she does not know the position of the Travis County district attorney, nor what future district attorneys would do. 2023-00927; Bruce Bain v. Judge Corey Sepolio. Harris Countys decision to allow volunteers to transport election records including voted ballots to the countys Central Count location on Election Night is incompatible with the Texas Election Code and violates well-established chain of custody protocols spelled out under Texas law, Texas Secretary of State spokesperson Sam Taylor said in a statement on Friday. Harris County Clerk's Office Commissioners Court Search Records Minutes Christian D. Menefee (@CDMenefee) 5:00 PM 17 February 2022. Be that as it may, the point about the counties just not moving to undo what they have ordered is an interesting point. 4. I really do believe they did the best they could and that were overall in a much better place than when we started and that we worked hard for it. He may or may not seek to run for something else do remember that the minute he says something to that effect hell have to resign, so all we would have before then is speculation but either way I wont be surprised to see some competition for the Precinct 1 slot. But well see what happens. But really, this is all about making noise and trying to cast doubt on the election administrators office and government in general in Harris County. 13 Cause No. Since the case has progressed from federal district court to the Fifth Circuit and on to the state Supreme Court, the parties positions have changed and the justices find themselves in the unusual position of being asked to answer three questions where there is very little if any disagreement between the parties. Hilton declined to comment on why the office did not ask for the ruling sooner. In the letter to the attorney general's office, Bitter, the general counsel for the secretary of state's office, wrote that an election clerk may effectively have to break state law in order to comply with a request for ballots so soon after an election. Speak with Oberheiden, P.C. We have the primaries coming up real soon, which means mail ballots are going to be getting requested, and people will have questions about them. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. 4 Cause No. But hey, lawsuits are time- and resource-intensive, and they often end in settlements anyway, so why not give this a try. I am writing to request your help with a matter that is very important to me. See here for the background. The Election Administrators office notified Republican election judges they could opt in to the countys plan if they wished, and at least 31 of them did so. Traditionally, the responsibility of transporting the ballots to the counting station on election night has fallen to election judges, the final task at the end of their 15-hour day. The clerk told me I had wrote a bad check for $16.00 and with Attorny Fee's it's now $86.00 shocked to hear the charge..I asked for details on the check she said she can't not give me that info only as to the business name who sent check to them. Harris County assumes no liability for damages incurred directly or indirectly as a result of errors, omissions or discrepancies. Maybe Judge Hidalgo can call on the Sheriff to pick up the wayward Commissioners and haul them into the meeting room so that the legal requirement of at least four members being present can be met? Privacy | The SOS raised no concerns, legal or otherwise, with the program. Sale, Contract & Resolutions, Corporate You know what she did? Judge Weems is represented by John Raley. We have the knowledge and skills to get results. Im disappointed to see another losing candidate challenging the results of their election. Judge Singh is represented by Anthony Drumheller. Hopefully we will hear more about how this is progressing quickly. Cindy Siegel, chairwoman of the Harris County GOP, said officials are impeding on the democratic process. It doesnt need to make sense. FDAMS User Guide . Agreements, Sale Astros Week: Michael Brantley, AT&T Sports Southwest's Money Problem and Pitch Clock Chaos, Top Draft Prospect Jalen Carter Charged With Reckless Driving and Racing on Day of NFL Combine. In the roughly 20 months since, officials chipped away at the differences,postponing action on the countys lawsuitand awaiting the federal review, while exploring what changes TxDOT could make to appease concerns. People near them, concerned for their health, plead for them to go far away. Radack 0 71,246 0 794,652, You still have time to donate to the Democratic judges legal fund, Phony Defunding Claims II: Electric Boogaloo, Houston furniture magnate Jim Mattress Mack McIngvale, November 2022 election, adding to an array of GOP litigation. According to a letter from the District Attorney's Office to the City of Houston, District Attorney Kim Ogg requested "all City of Houston ordinances, codes, or rules that pertain or in any way . As a bail agent for the corporate surety Allegheny Casualty Co., she also worries that the new rule will put her at odds with the insurance company which she fears could violate customer privacy. The lawsuit follows the approval by the Harris County Bail Bond Board to require bondsmen to take in 10 percent or more of the surety bond minimum set by a judge or magistrate to make it more difficult for violent offenders to leave jail and go on to commit more crime. Voters have moved on. (*). Center, Small Lawyers tend to squeeze in short vacations whenever they can. See here for the background. See here for more on that, and here for the response letter, which also observes that the people who want to get the I-45 project going dont represent those who will be affected by it. I'm a college student making a commute across state lines (to the county the attorney is from) and I have no criminal record or charges in my name. The judge in the Lunceford contest was assigned on December 13, I dont know what has happened since then. University of Texas - Austin Texas A&M University - College Station Texas Super Lawyers, Avvo and Board Certification - Family Law (2003-8) Texas State Bar A Guide to Texas Child Support Law. & Resolutions, Corporate You can also contribute to any candidate you like directly just google them or find their campaign Facebook page to get to a suitable Donate link for them. Their enforcement of laws involve cases of public health, deed restriction, crime victims compensation, and animal cruelty/ dangerous dog seizure warrants. Attorney, Terms of Republicans Tom Ramsey of Precinct 3 and Jack Cagle of Precinct 4 skipped Tuesdays Commissioners Court meeting as part of an ongoing battle of political wills that could extend until the deadline for approving a tax rate passes at the end of October. If the GOP succeeds, that would end. Texas Supreme Court justices questioned during oral argument if they should answer certified questions from a federal appeals court about challenges to an election law that created penalties for soliciting voters to use mail-in ballots. When it comes to voting by mail, I have to be very careful with my words, Longoria said from the witness stand. Tuesday, February 28, 2023, 1:54 PM. Moreover, Harris County is not responsible for the content nor endorses any site which has a link from this page. Giving this much power to a governing minority is the problem here. I dont see the appeals being successful, but maybe theres some technical point of law on which they can get a rehearing. The petition asks the high court to order Harris County to allow election judges to drive their own precinct ballots to the central counting center at NRG Park. Like flies to garbage, though, you know theyll be back for more. This case was always about reducing youth nicotine addiction in our communities. As the project has lingered, and faced opposition, some have argued it is forcing TxDOT to take a harder line, jeopardizing some of the gains. Judge Peeples is based in San Antonio, and was appointed by the Honorable Susan Brown, the Presiding Judge of the Eleventh Administrative Judicial Region of Texas.