Editor's note: see links below the article to view copies of the referenced documents.
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Almost two years ago we witnessed the beginning of a public corruption investigation that continues today. Together as a community we recognize the need to address and make changes in our county. As we continue this course of action, we must demand that the legal process run its course and we must allow the authorities to do their job. I have faith that our laws will bring those guilty to justice and vindicate the innocent.
On June 23, 2007, Senator Eliot Shapleigh held a press conference at the base of the Franklin Mountains with a group of elected officials to sign "A Contract with El Paso." Not one of his colleagues from the Texas House of Representatives from El Paso was invited. In fact, a majority of elected officials in El Paso were never invited to participate.
In response, I wrote an opinion piece published in the El Paso Times on Aug. 18, 2007 ("EP Lawmaker affirms, 'An Oath to El Paso"). I, like many of my elected colleagues, am committed to my Oath of Office which is the foundation of my public service for the people of El Paso.
This year the El Paso County Commissioners Court proposed the establishment of a stronger El Paso County Ethics Commission. I understand the goal to create an Ethics Commission. Although well intended, we cannot afford to throw together an ethics bill that could potentially affect the constitutional rights of individuals in our community. An ethics bill has true public value when it is well vetted in a public and transparent process, and complements the federal and state laws that already exist.
When the El Paso County Commissioners Court asked if I would author the legislation, I informed them that due to my legislative committee assignments and the legislation that I had already filed, I would be unable to focus the necessary time to shepherd the bill through the process. I did not know until the hearing date who of our delegation filed the bill. The day of the hearing, I simply asked the Chair of the Committee for the opportunity to more thoroughly review the bill in order to file amendments. I have never asked any House or Senate member to vote against or block this legislation. I have no regrets putting the spotlight on this legislation. If this is a transparent process, then asking my staff to do a thorough bill analysis and consider some issues brought forth from individuals in the community should not be problematic.
Today, I present the House Sponsor and Senate Author of the El Paso County Ethics Bill legislative recommendations, comments and concerns.
The following is my letter to the authors of the legislation, a side-by-side analysis of the original bill and the committee substitute, and a detailed analysis of the issues and concerns we identified. I encourage you to review the documents we provided, ask questions, and bring forth suggestions to me or to the authors of the bill. Together we can make this a bill that preserves the integrity of our laws, restores the public trust, and demonstrates that El Paso's elected officials can work together for the betterment of our community.
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Chavez is the Democratic state representative of El Paso's 76th District in the Texas House of Representatives.
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