by Staff | Jun 22, 2015 | Uncategorized
Texas Civil Justice League 84th Texas Legislature Session Summary June 19, 2015 Session Overview When the 84th Legislature convened in January, it was unclear what the new world order (at least in the Capitol) was going to look like. Two-thirds of the state leadership and a significant number of the House and Senate members were new. Two of the Big Three leadership offices (Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker) had new captains at the helm. The Senate, led by newly-elected Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, was decidedly more conservative as evidenced by the aggressive agenda set forth early on, including open- and campus-carry legislation, enhanced border security, property tax relief and budget reform, and expanded parental choice in public education. The “middle office” now led by Governor Greg Abbott proposed a more centrist agenda: a quality pre-kindergarten program, franchise tax relief, ethics reform, and enhanced funding for transportation. Returning incumbent, Speaker Joe Straus, easily won his fourth-term as Speaker and set out a bipartisan agenda concentrating on transportation infrastructure funding, reducing reliance on dedicated revenue to balance the budget, broad-based tax relief, and a responsible state budget.Lt. Governor Patrick’s first order of business was moving his colleagues to override the Senate’s longstanding tradition of requiring a two-thirds vote to bring legislation to the floor, settling on a three-fifths supermajority. This rule change meant that 19 out of the 20 Republican Senators could bring up any bill over the objection of the 11 Democrats. The new rule served its purpose as the Senate passed most of its major bills early in the session, with party-line votes on most of the more controversial measures. Basically...
by Staff | Jun 16, 2015 | Uncategorized
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jordan Berry Phone: 903-288-7581 Email: campaign@michaelmassengale.com www.michaelmassengale.com June 16, 2015 Justice Michael Massengale Announces for Texas Supreme...
by Staff | Jun 11, 2015 | Uncategorized
June 11, 2015 (http://www.pressreader.com/usa/austin-american-statesman/20150611/281822872421589/TextView) By Brad stutzman Round Rock Leader contributing writer Round Rock’s Cindy Olson Bourland launched her campaign for election to the state’s Third Court of Appeals on June 3 with a baseball analogy. Which was probably fitting, as the event was held at Dell Diamond’s Intel Club. “A judge is like an umpire,” Bourland said. “My job is not to slant the game or decide which team should win or lose. My job is to accurately call the balls and strikes.” Bourland, who practiced law for 20 years, is seeking election to the job she was appointed to this year. Former Gov. Rick Perry appointed Bourland to the Third Court of Appeals in early January. She succeeded Justice Jeff Rose in the Place 2 position and now is running for the Republican Party’s 2016 nomination to fill out the remainder of Rose’s term. Rose left Place 2 when he was elected as the court’s chief justice in November 2014. Former Gov. Rick Perry appointed Bourland to the Third Court of Appeals in early January. She succeeded Justice Jeff Rose in the Place 2 position and now is running for the Republican Party’s 2016 nomination to fill out the remainder of Rose’s term. Rose left Place 2 when he was elected as the court’s chief justice in November 2014. “It’s really intellectually challenging,” Bourland said. “I’m learning something new every day.” A fifth-generation Round Rock resident, Bourland graduated from Round Rock High School in 1985 and then earned her undergraduate degree from Southwestern University in Georgetown. She holds a law degree from the University of Texas School...
by Staff | Jun 2, 2015 | Uncategorized
June 1, 2015 (http://www.law360.com/articles/662392/texas-bill-nixing-pick-a-pal-grand-juries-heads-to-governor) By Paul DeBenedetto Law360, Houston (June 01, 2015, 6:56 PM ET) — Attempts to scrap Texas’ controversial “pick-a-pal” grand jury system moved a step closer to reality on Sunday, as the Texas State Senate passed a bill intended to reform the process that allows judge-appointed commissioners to nominate jurors instead of random selection.An amendment to H.B. 2150, sponsored by State Rep. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, contains an amendment by State Rep. Harold Dutton, D-Houston, that would replace the method of empaneling a grand jury through a grand jury commissioner. The new bill would instead replace the so-called “pick-a-pal” method,… To view the full article, click...
by Staff | May 29, 2015 | Uncategorized
(http://www.texaslawyer.com/id=1202727766452/Sine-Die-Which-Bills-Passed-and-Which-Bills-Died-This-Legislative-Session?kw=Sine%20Die%20Which%20Bills%20Passed%20and%20Which%20Bills%20Died%20This%20Legislative%20Session?&slreturn=20150429110408) by Angela Morris Lawmakers passed many bills that affect the justice system, lawyers and judges. Some of these bills have landed on the desk of Gov. Greg Abbott, who has until June 21 to veto, sign or allow bills to become law without his signature. Click here to read Full...
