Texas Ethics Bill Could Allow Appointees to Bar Prosecutions

[Rose Siding]

Texas prosecutors to probe ethics violations. (Deb Cannon -- AP)
A key Republican legislator has introduced a bill that would give a Texas agency authority to stop prosecution of election law violations, drawing comparisons to a recent attempt in Washington to rewrite ethics rules to keep House Majority Leader Tom DeLay in power if he is ever indicted.

The move by GOP leaders to protect DeLay (R-Tex.) was quashed late last year when even some Republicans in Congress objected. In Texas, critics are calling the bill a similar bold attempt to protect Republican lawmakers who might get caught in a criminal investigation into illegal campaign fundraising. The bill has yet to get a public hearing, but already, opponents have lined up to fight it.

The bill was filed by state Rep. Mary Denny, the chairwoman of the House elections committee. It would require the Texas Ethics Commission, an eight-member panel appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor and House speaker, to create a special office to investigate criminal violations of the state election code. Prosecutors would have to notify the office of any alleged violations, and the office would have 45 days to evaluate the information. If the office determined an offense had not been committed, the prosecutor would be prohibited from pursuing charges relating to the alleged violation.

Denny agreed that her bill, as proposed, would hinder prosecutors in doing their jobs. Faced with the firestorm of criticism, she said Thursday she was working on changing her proposal to do what she said she intended: to make it easier for the ethics commission to investigate complaints about election law violations at the county, city or school district level. She said that prosecutors usually do not investigate such local complaints until after an election to avoid being accused of partisanship.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38439-2005Feb19.html

[dave123williams]

1. "Texas Ethics" ...it's oxymoronic, kind of like "Journalistic Integrity".

[paineinthearse]

2. Representative Mary Denny

http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist63/bio/denny.htm

Biographical Information

PERSONAL

Denton County businesswoman; owner of the Craver Ranch in Aubrey.
One son; Bryan.
Bachelor of Science in Education, University of North Texas.

COMMUNITY SERVICE
Active member of University of North Texas President's Council, United Way, YMCA, Arts Council & numerous other civic associations.

POLITICAL
Re-elected to sixth term, Texas House of Representatives, 78th Regular Legislative Session.

Past Chairman of the Denton County Republican Party (1983 to 1991).

Volunteer in more than 300 Republican Campaigns; Delegate to State & National Republican Conventions since 1972.

Recipient of the Texas Federation of Republican Women's 1991 Ten Outstanding Republican Women Award.

Appointed by Governor Clements in 1990 to the Texas Committee for the Humanities.

LEGISLATIVE

House Committee Assignments
-- Chairman of Elections
-- Criminal Jurisprudence
-- House Administration
-- Select Committee on Ethics
Republican Legislative Caucus, Member; Texas Conservative Coalition, Member.

Rural Legislative Caucus, Member ; The Lone Star Leadership Foundation, Board Member.

Member of American Legislative Exchange Council, National Conference of State Legislatures, and Southern Legislative Conference and honorary member of Executive Women in Texas Government.

Recipient of Friend of the Taxpayer Award from Texas Citizens for a Sound Economy for her efforts to serve constituents by protecting taxpayers and empowering consumers.

Texas Eagle Forum 1999 and 2001 Freedom & Family Award recipient for conservative voting record on economic & social issues during the 76th and 77th Legislative sessions.

Four time recipient of Texas Ten Award from the FREE ENTERPRISE PAC, a special honor given to the Ten percent Most Conservative Legislators, 74th, 75th, 76th, and 77th Sessions respectively.

Four time recipient of Leader of Excellence Award from the FREE ENTERPRISE PAC, a special honor given to the 20% most conservative legislators, 74th, 75th, 76th, and 77th Sessions respectively.

Received a Historical Honor Roll 93% rating on the Young Conservatives of Texas Legislative Ratings for her consistent conservative voting record through the 76th Legislative Session.

Received 91% rating on ratings by the Texas Association of Business & Chambers of Commerce.

Outstanding Texas Legislator Award, and received a 100% rating on the 1996 and 1997 American Family Association of Texas, Texas Voter's Legislative Scorecard for the 74th and 75th Legislative Sessions.

Rockwall Area Retired Teachers Association Award of Distinction, 1996.

Common Cause's STAR OF SERVICE Award, 1995.

Received a 100% rating on the Texas Farm Bureau voting record for the 74th Legislative Session.

[LizW]

3. No shame. n/t

[DeepModem Mom]

4. kick

[struggle4progress]

5. kick in the Texass

[No Exit]

6. And the crusade to save DeLay's sorry, flabby ass continues! n/t