Attorney General Ken Paxton's securities fraud trials on hold for now

[TexasTowelie]

AUSTIN — Attorney General Ken Paxton's fraud trials have been put on hold as the lawyers pursuing the criminal charges against him fight for years of back pay.

Judge Robert Johnson has taken Paxton's three criminal cases off his docket for now, the court confirmed to The Dallas Morning News on Friday. While court staff did not have a reason for the removal, the three attorneys prosecuting Paxton have repeatedly asked for the cases to be halted while they fight to have their pay resumed.

The delay will almost certainly push Paxton's trials into general election season, when he will be seeking another term as the state's top lawyer. In July, Paxton's indictments will turn three years old.

The Collin County Commissioners Court has not paid the three special prosecutors pursuing charges against Paxton since January 2016. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals will soon decide whether the prosecutors' hourly rate is fair and legal and whether they're entitled to two years of back pay from the county.

Read more: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/courts/2017/12/29/ag-ken-paxtons-securities-fraud-trials-hold-now

[thbobby]

1. Texans

I am one. But the GOP in Texas is worse than GOP nationwide. I do not even know if that is possible. But the corruption is openly flaunted and shameless.

Why does Texas keep electing GOP? I wish that I knew. Maybe I should be glad I don't.

I distrust our voting machines. Sounds paranoid, but what the hell is going on deep in the heart of Texas. People just don't care enough to vote? Our votes aren't counted? Enough minorities have been robbed of voting rights? All of the before mentioned?

[TexasTowelie]

2. While I have my doubts about the accuracy of voting machines

it is irrelevant when the Democratic Party does not field any candidates in the local races. In 2012 there were no Democratic candidates for any county positions in Washington County and Democrats even failed to have anyone on the ballot for state rep or state senator. This past year in Wharton County most of the positions were also open at the county level.

The good news is that Democrats are more involved in the 2018 election campaigns. I would enjoy seeing a seismic shift in the political landscape to take out the GOP trash.

[thbobby]

3. Democrats in Texas

have given up. They feel changing the political landscape is a lost cause. Both the voters and anyone that is considering running for office. I hope that what happened in Alabama may give many hope. Also, I think the National Democratic Leadership is much more willing to help fight for local elections. Perhaps Trump is helping make America great again by motivating more people to participate in democracy.

[hurl]

5. Things are looking up

I was completely demoralized when Wendy Davis lost so badly to Abbott, even among Texas women, but I am seeing changes in my very red, rural area.

It's sadly normal for Republicans to run unopposed here, but our county Democratic party has candidates for every local position on the ballot for 2018 - the first time in years! At least at the county level, we are energized, and I am hearing similar reports at the state level.

I'm told Texas is not so much a red state as a non-voting state. Turnout is pathetic, which gives rabidly dedicated and disciplined GOP voters power way out of proportion to their actual numbers. My hope is that maybe people will be more motivated. We finally have some candidates to get behind. GOTV is everything.

I'm donating to Beto O'Rourke in his long-shot bid to replace Ted Cruz. I don't know whether we will follow Alabama's example, but it could happen.

[Gothmog]

4. We need to lock Paxton up