Austin judge blocks arrest of Democrats returning to Texas

[Elderberry]

Houston Chronicle by Eric Dexheimer, Austin Bureau 8/9/2021

Finding that Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dade Phelan “have erroneously interpreted Texas law,” a Travis County state district judge last night said the Republican officials cannot arrest Democrats who left Texas last month in a last-ditch effort to block an elections bill they say is too restrictive.

State District Judge Brad Urrutia’s temporary restraining order prohibits Abbott and Phelan from “detaining, confining or otherwise restricting a Texas House Democrat’s movement without his or her consent.”

The order, which is in force for two weeks, appears to open the door for the absconded state legislators to return to Texas without fear of arrest.

More: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/Austin-judge-blocks-arrest-of-Democrats-returning-16374638.php

[Kamaji]

He should just go ahead and arrest them in any event, bring them into the legislative chamber, and have a quorum called.

They can then go ahead and sue for damages for violation of this idiotic TRO, and let the appellate courts work out whether it was a valid TRO or not in the first place.

[Ghost Bear]

Texas Supreme Court blocks judge's order against arresting quorum-busting Democrats

Responding to an emergency motion filed hours earlier, the Texas Supreme Court on Tuesday blocked an Austin district judge's order that prohibited the arrest of Democrats participating in the ongoing quorum break.

Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dade Phelan, represented by Attorney General Ken Paxton, argued that state District Judge Brad Urrutia's order improperly stopped them from exercising authority specifically granted by the Texas Constitution.

Excerpted, more here: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/08/10/supreme-court-asked-void-order-blocking-arrest-texas-democrats/5551328001/

[Kamaji]

Texas Supreme Court blocks judge's order against arresting quorum-busting Democrats

Responding to an emergency motion filed hours earlier, the Texas Supreme Court on Tuesday blocked an Austin district judge's order that prohibited the arrest of Democrats participating in the ongoing quorum break.

Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dade Phelan, represented by Attorney General Ken Paxton, argued that state District Judge Brad Urrutia's order improperly stopped them from exercising authority specifically granted by the Texas Constitution.

Excerpted, more here: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/08/10/supreme-court-asked-void-order-blocking-arrest-texas-democrats/5551328001/

Awesome!  Now get some arresting done.

[Free Vulcan]

Awesome!  Now get some arresting done.

Been a good day for Texas.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Next up for the legislature:

Impeach that sorry judge

[Ghost Bear]

Awesome!  Now get some arresting done.

Ask and ye shall receive:

Deliveries begin as House Speaker Phelan signs 52 civil arrest warrants for missing Democrats

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas House Sergeant-At-Arms began delivering civil arrest warrants around the Texas Capitol Wednesday. The day before, Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan officially signed civil arrest warrants for 52 House Democrats still absent for the second special session of the year, according to a spokesperson for Phelan.

It’s all part of an effort to achieve the quorum needed to advance legislation.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Texas House voted 80-12 to move forward with the arrests after the Texas Supreme Court overturned a district judge’s ruling that prevented them from calling for Democrats’ arrests.

Excerpted, more at https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-politics/house-speaker-phelan-signs-52-civil-arrest-warrants-for-missing-democrats/