letter from harris county attorney

Business. Applications are frequently submitted to start up concrete batch plants in the Houston area. We are ready to move forward together, said Texas Transportation Commissioner Laura Ryan. . During the election CIA knocked on 300,000 doors. This is an official form from the Harris County, Texas District Clerks Office, which complies with all applicable laws and statutes. See here for the background. NEW I, along with @LinaHidalgoTX and @LongoriaTx, requested that the DOJ do everything in its power to ensure that despite the impacts of SB1 and the high percentage of mail ballot rejections, every eligible voter has their vote counted in our elections in Harris County. Privacy | You never know. I wish I felt more optimistic, but its not like the Fifth Circuit will care. She is the first woman to be elected County Judge and only the second to be elected to the Commissioners Court. That one would be heard in the House by a House committee, if Speaker Phelan for some reason doesnt toss it as a frivolous waste of time. She offered examples of voters she no longer felt she could help navigate the vote-by-mail process. In a primary election, each polling location has one judge from each party overseeing their own partys voting process. When the Texas Election Networks canvassing efforts in Sunnyside came to light in early July, County Attorney Christian Menefees office said it was investigating this issue and exploring legal options to protect residents and prevent this from happening again., Asked about the status of the investigation this week, county attorney spokesperson Roxanne Werner said, Although we have not found any further activity by this group, we are continuing to monitor the situation and will take action if appropriate. Theres absolutely no justification for this state and federal law are clear, and nothing has changed about them. Judge Horwitz is represented by John Raley. I was employed by {Name of the company} for {Number} years until I was suddenly and without explanation fired from my job last month. But the states highest civil court also ordered Harris County to determine whether those late-cast ballots would affect the outcome of any races and kept alive Attorney General Ken Paxtons challenge to counting them. Check out the subscription page by clicking Buy Now. Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee on Thursday expressed disappointment in . The countys agreement can only be approved after a Commissioners Court meeting, scheduled for Thursday. Again, I didnt have a problem with the May 7 reporting. For the subject that I wanted to be thinking about yesterday, we start with this. The first lawsuits filed against SB1 were filed in September, with Isabel Longoria a plaintiff in a complaint filed by MALDEF on behalf of a large group. In a Wednesday evening news release, the elections office warned residents against scammers it said pretended to be from the county elections and voter registration offices and attempted to collect sensitive personal information from voters. Neighborhoods with batch plants lack deed restrictions and zoning to protect them, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee said. Sylvia Trevino, Constable Precinct 6 If you are appointed a Power of Attorney, you have a duty to act in the best interest of the person in question, ensuring their financial security and prevent undoing the original agreement.Jul 14, 2017. It doesnt make any sense outside of, obviously, cynical partisanship and these targeted actions against Harris County, the most diverse county in the state Mirza said. 2023-00924; Elizabeth Buss v. Judge David Fleischer. Looking on the Electronic Filings search, I think this case is number 22-1044. Raising this as a First Amendment issue makes sense to me, and maybe it will make sense to the courts as well. & Estates, Corporate - 17 Cause No. Aaron Adams is represented by Elizabeth Alvarez. The dispute seems to be more about politics than the law, Martin Renteria, a Republican election judge in Harris County, said. In Tarrant County, volunteers with a conservative group occupied a room in the elections office for weeks this summer, examining 300,000 ballots from the March 2020 primary, which were made available by the county 22 months after the election. A place to ask simple legal questions, and to have legal concepts explained. If even one is bounced, Abbott could appoint a replacement for those in the criminal courts. Taylor accused Harris County Elections Administrator Cliff Tatum, who took over the office starting in August, of intentionally causing ballot paper shortages in Republican-leaning neighborhoods. Texas has a primary election on March 1, 2022. Any suggestion that the Harris County Elections Administrators Office lacks transparency is false, it said. Speaking Engagement- Use this link to request the County Attorney speak to an audience at an event. Without the minimum fee, Claiborne planned to offer competitive pricing of less than 10% of the face amount of the bond to consumers who desire to purchase a bail bond for themselves, or their loved ones charged with a designated offense and qualify for reduced payment terms, according to court documents. In family law it is especially important to think a few steps ahead. But really, this is all about making noise and trying to cast doubt on the election administrators office and government in general in Harris County. I am a bot whose sole purpose is to improve the timeliness and accuracy of responses in this subreddit. If Hegars goal was to make headlines while insulting the basic intelligence of Harris County residents, I guess he achieved that. Theres clearly a difference of interpretation of the law here, and if that cant be resolved on its own then a courtroom is the proper venue. Target letters inform the recipients that they are the target of a federal investigation, which means that the government intends to press civil or criminal charges against that person. Its a complicated story. So many things to say, so Ill bullet-point it: This is different from the ridiculous election contest filed in HD135 by a candidate that lost by 15 points and over 6,000 votes. They also collaborate with the Harris County Senior Justice Assessment Center, a consortium of state and county agencies that review cases/offer services for elderly victims of abuse and exploitation. Greg Abbott recommended keeping the current waiting period. 2023-00930; Mark Goldberg v. Judge Erika Ramirez. That letter must include the following four paragraphs: 1. Texas Republicans rightly have no faith in the 2020 election results and we dont care how many times the elites tell us we have to, said Republican Party of Texas Chairman Matt Rinaldi, who was elected the leader of the party with no opposition. She is the Harris County District Attorney in Texas and assumed office in 2017. I think the Fifth Circuit is evaluating whether to put the injunction back in place while the rest of the initial lawsuit is litigated, but we are in the weeds here and I dont have certainty about that. Mark Goldberg is represented by Elizabeth Alvarez. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. The plaintiffs argue that the provisions violate the First and Fourteenth Amendments because the risk of criminal and civil liability chills speech that encourage[s] voters to lawfully vote by mail. Matthew Dexter is represented by Elizabeth Alvarez. By the time this runs in the morning well know what the official canvass says, and from there well see if an election challenge will follow. Oh, and if this is one of the final straws that leads to Constable precinct redistricting, I wont complain. The Harris County Democratic Party is NOT doing anything to assist the 22 electeds. They also ensure Harris Countys compliance with environmental regulations; represents the county in state administrative hearings; and coordinates with federal, state, and local stakeholders on environmental legislation, rules, and policies affecting the county and its citizens. With a new election administrator about to come on board, we can revisit the matter and see if theres a consensus to be had. An essential component of the central counting station is the physical delivery of sealed ballot boxes and access to the central counting station is necessary (for) that process to take place, the filing states. The restriction applies to any program intended to systematically remove the names of ineligible voters from the official list of eligible voters, including general mailings and door to door canvasses, according to the Justice Department. At a May 11 hearing with the state House Elections Committee to address delayed election results, Longoria argued the plan utilizing law enforcement officers and deputized staffers is in compliance with Texas law. Hidalgo 612,111 1,095,479 101,400 36,568 We expect TxDOT to uphold its end of this historic agreement, and not only to evaluate the impacts over the next year but to agree to and fund real solutions that address concerns about displacement, pollution, flooding and impacts on the public transportation network, said Harris County Pct. All public comments received by Aug. 8 will be submitted to the commission, including comments fromTuesdays midday virtual public hearing. The maximum that a judge can receive from a PAC is $5000, so that is the goal for each judge and for Lina. In a statement, Menefee confirmed his office will file a lawsuit against Hegar. Could be anything from a subpoena to an envelope of glitter. A judge blocked the initial attempt as well. Houston furniture magnate Jim Mattress Mack McIngvalehas filed a lawsuit against the Harris County Elections Administrators office accusing it of refusing to turn over public records related to theNovember 2022 election, adding to an array of GOP litigationaimed at the countys elections process. This event transpired months ago and the officers who came to my house had me believe that I would be aware of any charges that evening by phone, however, I did not receive a call. The affidavits are linked to efforts by a conservative grass-roots organization called the Texas Election Network, which earlier this year attempted to get Sunnyside residents to sign forms verifying the identities of registered voters living at their addresses. In a Nov. 29 letter from FHWA Chief Counsel Andrew Rogers, federal officials said recent discussions represent a good start but set parameters for any design work to proceed. Oftentimes, federal agents will handle investigative tasks, such as interviewing witnesses or executing search warrants, and then the United States Attorneys Office will rely on those investigative efforts of the federal agents to build a case for trial. Agreements, Bill of It is highly likely that a lawsuit will result. Who Should T.H. To say the least, that is a massive, massive upending of the regular democratic order. Clerk Burgess is represented by Neal Manne. packages, Easy The Harris County Attorney's Office fights for the interests of Harris County through the civil justice system to preserve access to clean air and water; ensure safe, healthy neighborhoods; protect consumers against fraud, exploitation, and other bad acts; and defend voting rights. Officials have defended the deals as the best way to change the project but still maintain the benefits that will come with it, including faster and safer commutes and the creation of two-way managed lanes that can improve transit in the I-45 corridor. 2023-01103; Kyle Scott v. Carla Wyatt. Will, All Under Hegars calculations, Heaps annualized budget would have been about $48.9 million over 12 months nearly $2.3 million off from the $46.7 million figure calculated by the county. A court of law ordered Harris County to keep the polls to open for an additional hour on Election Day and people across our county cast their ballots during that time, Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee said in a statement. James Slattery, senior staff attorney with the Texas Civil Rights Project, said for the average voter, the organizations name, badge and paperwork could convey a sense of an official visit by the government without explicitly doing so. See here for the background. An accurate and complete description of the vehicle (license plate, VIN number, year, make, model and color) that you own and desire returned. In the old days, when you had to vote at your precinct location, you really were screwed. The lawsuit follows the approval by the Harris County Bail Bond Board to require bondsmen to take in 10 percent or more of the surety bond minimum set by a judge or magistrate to make it more difficult for violent offenders to leave jail and go on to commit more crime. Which is what the Chron editorial board concluded a few days ago. Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee said the county would challenge Hegars finding in court if necessary. The Harris County Attorney's Office fights for the interests of Harris County through the civil justice system to preserve access to clean air and water; ensure safe, healthy neighborhoods; protect consumers against fraud, exploitation, and other bad acts; and defend voting rights. Federal and state law require that ballots be kept secure for 22 months after an election to allow for recounts and challenges a time frame Texas counties have had set in place for decades. As I said before, the obvious way to deal with delays in opening a given voting location is to push back the closing time for it. Agreements, Letter 2023-00934; Brian Staley v. Judge Monica Singh. His math was wrong then and its wrong now.. Vips Application . Though there is concern about the projects impacts in Midtown, Third Ward and Eado, the most vocal opposition to the project emanates from north of downtown where TxDOT proposes to add two managed lanes in each direction to I-45. That may be a bad feature of the law as it now exists, but it is the law and a district court is highly unlikely to deviate from the normal course of behavior. The Harris County Bail Bond Board, on its second attempt, passed a rule that made the ten percent minimum a requirement, and in response a bail bond company owner filed a lawsuit to stop it. Though not a guarantee of funding or a commitment to build the projects listed, it details what the state plans to do. I think the Trib story contains the most relevant bit of information: The Election Day problems were unlikely to have been substantial enough to swing the results of the Harris County judges race, according to Bob Stein, a political science professor at Rice University. Harris County Justice of the Peace Court Forms - Downloadable forms for small claims cases, eviction, and criminal matters heard by Justices of the Peace. The Texas Transportation Commission kept I-45 in its funding plans a few months ago, and some design work was allowed to continue, but now theres another federal complaint filed against the project by various opponents. As noted recently, there are other obstacles to the project, though perhaps if Harris County and TxDOT can settle their differences, those can be handled as well. Often times, if there are urgent matters, they will be addressed in the letter as well. While Ingram was on the stand, Rodriguez presented him with hypothetical interactions between Longoria and voters, asking if she could recommend voting by mail to someone who appeared to qualify. He may or may not seek to run for something else do remember that the minute he says something to that effect hell have to resign, so all we would have before then is speculation but either way I wont be surprised to see some competition for the Precinct 1 slot. Estates, Forms They have a goal in mind and this is why they hired a lawyer. Please read the Administrative Order below: - Prohibiting Recording of Remote Proceedings, Emergency Public Helath and Safetly Conditions, NEW!!! All About Bail Bonds owner and plaintiff Sunya Claiborne argued in the lawsuit that the policy jeopardizes her business calling the minimum fee requirement classic price fixing and a per se antitrust violation. The lawyer for the plaintiff, Kevin Pennell, said he plans this week to appeal the judges order. Oh, and the second place where there might be a Democratic primary fight worth watching is in Precinct 1. I doubt theres an agreement that satisfies everyone, but there are definitely options that do a better job of minimizing harm and promoting equity. We have a ways to go before this is truly settled. The Bell County attorney confirmed last week that a court order there had not been challenged by the Attorney Generals Office or another party. Joe Danna, Sheriff Who is the county attorney Harris County? Another type of letter that can be issued from the United States Attorneys Office is a target letter.. Erin Lunceford is represented by Andy Taylor. You could have voted elsewhere! Doesnt exactly fill you with pride and confidence in our justice system, does it? So our perspective is that those provisional ballots are no different than any other provisional ballots they are to be counted.. The group represents Harris County and numerous entities including the Harris County Appraisal Review Board, the Harris County Toll Road Authority, the Harris County Tax Office, the Harris County Sheriffs Office, the Harris County Constables, and the Harris County Fire Marshals Office. Keith Ingram, the secretary of states director of elections, told lawmakers in the hearing he disagreed with that interpretation and believed Harris Countys plan violated the law. Houston ISDs board of trustees already is expected to vote Thursday on a mask mandate proposed by Superintendent Millard House II. Once it has a foothold, the momentum only goes in one direction. In a handful of cases, no one came to pick up the ballots leading the election judge to take them home or couriers failed to drop them off in a timely manner. judges sued to undo 22 election. No one wants all this hard work to go to waste. Henry Flores, professor emeritus of political science at St. Marys University, had a slightly different take. The criminal division prosecutes criminal cases. Vips Support Documents and Useful Resource Links . Houston's independent source of The letters stem from the investigation into the 2019 drug raid of a small home on Harding Street in south Houston. The project, estimated to cost at least $9 billion, would rebuild and widen I-45 from downtown Houston north to Beltway 8, including the freeways interchanges with Interstate 69, Interstate 10 and Loop 610 in Independence Heights. So if I understand this correctly, the Elections Office could provide these documents on demand, but legally they dont have to until they get an opinion on it from the AGs office. Several of them are considering election contests.. The night also could be politically turbulent as a dispute plays out over one line in the states election code. Christian D. Menefee (@CDMenefee) 5:00 PM 17 February 2022. 2023-00841; Tami Pierce v. Judge DaSean Jones.