How much to not investigate this?

How much to not investigate this?

House Bill 1690 by Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, would shift investigative power over cases involving public corruption to the Texas Rangers, accomplishing a long-time goal of Republicans in the Legislature to dilute the power of Travis County's Public Integrity Unit. It would also allow any ethics charges filed against statewide politicians and lawmakers to be returned to their home counties for prosecution.

One Republican urged lawmakers to avoid creating a "special protected class for us as elected officials." State Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, tried to change the bill so that public corruption cases involving lawmakers could also be tried outside of their home counties. His amendment failed, along with others that tried to expand the venue in which lawmakers could be prosecuted. "This is the way it is for ordinary citizens. If they are to commit crimes against the state they would be prosecuted where the crime occurs," said Simpson, who voted against the bill. "I want to plead with you that you not create with this bill a specially protected class"

The Senate has passed a similar measure by Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, on the Public Integrity Unit. Huffman re-worked her bill to have it mostly mirror King's bill after a provision that would have allowed the Attorney General to oversee investigations proved controversial since Attorney General Ken Paxton earlier had been the subject of an inquiry by Travis County's Public Integrity Unit.

On Monday, the Texas legislation voted 94-51 to pass House Bill 1690: House Bill 1690 is a little insurance policy for Republicans wary of being investigated for ethics violations. You know, corruption and other similar petty offenses. The vote went 91 Republicans saying Yeas!!!! and 50 Democrats and even one crazy Republican saying stuff like this: This is just one of the great pieces of legislature that the Republicans have for the Lone Star State. If you can't secede try and try again. It still needs a final vote before going to the state Senate. However, the Texas Senate has already approved similar legislation. Jesus.