From deliberations to documents, the Texas Senate’s rules create an opaque process for the suspended attorney general’s impeachment trial. KenPaxton txlege DanPatrick impeachment txsenate
, but trial rules recently adopted by the Texas Senate came after an opaque process — and provide for plenty of secrecy going forward.
When senators vote on pretrial matters — or cast the deciding votes on whether to convict or acquit on each article of impeachment — there can be no debate or comments beyond “yea” or “nay.”After all the evidence is presented and closing arguments are made, senators will meet in private to deliberate like any jury in a civil or criminal trial.
“Just comparing this process to other processes [in state government], it hasn’t been transparent,” said Adrian Shelley, executive director of Public Citizen Texas, an Austin-based government watchdog group. “Not even knowing when the committee is meeting is pretty disappointing.” Patrick said from the Senate dais Wednesday night that he was proud senators could come together to craft the rules, and he reminded them of the rules against discussing the case. He later issued a written statement acknowledging their adoption after “2 days of thoughtful deliberation” but otherwise has not commented on the rules or the issues of transparency.
“The Rules are unprecedented in their presumption for opacity and closed deliberation,” Eckhardt wrote in the Senate Journal afterward.An opaque rule-making processOn the last day of the regular legislative session, May 29, the Senate passed a resolution creating a seven-member committee to draft rules and present them to the full Senate on June 20. Patrick named five Republicans and two Democrats to the panel and made GOP Sen.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Texas businessman at center of AG Ken Paxton's impeachment pleads not guilty to federal chargesA Texas real estate developer at the center of Attorney General Ken Paxton's impeachment has pleaded not guilty to charges of making false statements to banks that loaned him more than $170 million.
Weiterlesen »
Texas AG Ken Paxton's wife barred from voting in his impeachment trialWhen Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton goes on trial in the state Senate after being impeached, his wife, Angela Paxton, will be barred from casting a vote
Weiterlesen »
Texas AG Ken Paxton's wife barred from voting in his impeachment trialWhen Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton goes on trial later this year in the state Senate after being impeached, one lawmaker in the chamber will be barred from casting a vote: his wife.
Weiterlesen »
Despite promise of “total transparency,” secrecy will be a big part of Ken Paxton impeachment trialFrom deliberations to documents, the Texas Senate’s rules create an opaque process for the suspended attorney general’s impeachment trial, set to begin Sept. 5.
Weiterlesen »
Despite promise of “total transparency,” secrecy will be a big part of Ken Paxton impeachment trialDespite Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s promise of transparency, the rules for suspended Attorney General Paxton’s trial provide for plenty of secrecy. Pretrial motions, witness lists, and final deliberations will be kept from the public.
Weiterlesen »
Deadly Matador tornado devastates tiny Texas townThe tornado’s devastation is stretching resources as the state is already responding to a panhandle tornado a week ago.
Weiterlesen »