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Roundup: Dallas County Constables Retaliation Suit On Hold

By KERA News & Wire Services

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-988194.mp3

Dallas, TX – Dallas County Constables will have to wait until County Commissioners actually vote to eliminate some 30 jobs before suing the County for retaliation. A federal judge, this morning, ruled he had no legal authority to stop an elected body from voting.

John Barr represents the constables.

Barr: We have an environment in which these deputy constables came forward and outcried that there was corruption, mass corruption. That made an environment where it was popular to write about bad things in the Constable's office. So the very people that came forward and outcried are at risk of losing their jobs for the outcry. That's unfortunate.

Judge Royal Ferguson temporarily stopped the vote earlier this month. Thursday morning, he told constables their retaliation claims are serious, and they could petition to reopen the case if County Commissioners vote to approve the layoffs.

An attorney for the County did not address the retaliation claims, but said he was pleased with the ruling because it allows the County to "go forward with its business."

EPA Hearing Draws Environmentalists, Drilling Advocates

Environmentalists and advocates for drilling companies face off in an Arlington hearing over proposed federal rules to limit pollution at oil and natural gas wells.

The Environmental Protection Agency took testimony today in part of a vast area of urban drilling atop the natural gas-rich Barnett Shale.

One mother tearfully told of her 7-year-old daughter's battle with leukemia and her concerns over cancer-causing toxins tied to gas drilling. An industry spokesman said operators believe "one size does not fit all" when it comes to regulations.

The EPA is proposing standards to curb hydraulic fracturing, used to release the gas from shale. The agency wants operators to capture and sell natural gas that now escapes into the air.

Industry officials want the EPA to delay a February 28 deadline for new rules.

Texas Congressional Redistricting Delayed

A federal judge has ordered Texas not to move forward with redistricting plans for congressional and state legislative seats until they are approved by the courts.

A coalition of Democratic politicians, minority groups and civil rights activists have sued the state over the plans. They say the Republican majority drew the new political lines in a way that discriminates against minorities.

The Department of Justice has also argued against the new congressional, state House and state Senate maps.

State law requires that the new districts be implemented on Oct. 1. The restraining order issued by a San Antonio-based judge on Thursday will stop the new districts from going into effect.

There are two ongoing court cases arguing the merits of the plan, one in San Antonio and another in Washington.