HD46: Lawyers for Rep. Dawnna Dukes (D-Austin) asked District Judge Brad Urrutia to throw out four of the 13 felony charges against her at a hearing today (Wednesday). Her attorneys argued that the statute of limitations had expired by the time of her indictment and an agreement to waive the statute of limitations was invalid. Dukes signed that agreement in September. Her attorneys claim it is invalid because there was no expiration date, which could permit prosecutors to delay the case indefinitely. Prosecutors responded that it was Dukes’s prior attorney’s idea and she has since benefited from the agreement by being able to begin another term in January. Dukes said she planned to plead not guilty to all counts when she turned herself in back in January.
HD112: Garland attorney Thomas Howery filed a campaign treasurer appointment for a potential challenge to Rep. Angie Chen Button (R-Richardson). His partisan affiliation is unclear, but someone with the same name was involved with the Garland Area Democrats in 2011 and explored running for HD112 as a Democrat in 2012. He is the second to file a CTA for the race, joining Brandy Chambers.
Straight-party Elimination Bill: The House Committee on Elections will hear House Bill 25 by Rep. Ron Simmons (R-Carrollton), relating to the elimination of straight-party voting, during its Monday hearing, its first to consider legislation. Eight other bills are on the agenda. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. or on adjournment in Capitol Extension room E1.026.
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