Recall Group Clears Another Legal Hurdle
The group leading recall efforts against El Paso’s mayor and two city reps has cleared another legal hurdle, but the issue is not done going through the courts.
The recall group is upset over the city leaders’ decision to overturn a voter-approved ordinance that would have taken away the health benefits of gay unmarried partners of city employees. The city leaders say the ordinance was so vaguely written, it would have stripped away the benefits of dozens more unintended city-affiliated people who receive insurance.
El Paso Mayor John Cook is challenging the recall efforts. His attorney claims the recall group may have broken Texas law by using churches to gather signatures.
Monday morning, county Judge Javier Alvarez ruled not to extend a temporary restraining order against the group. Parts of that temporary restraining order had been lifted at a previous hearing, but now the entire order has expired.
Cook’s attorney Mark Walker is still challenging the recall effort, however, through a temporary injunction hearing that is in the process of being scheduled. Walker has also filed a petition for the Court of Appeals to weigh in.
