Lawmakers abandon investigative subpoenas for judges records helenair.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from helenair.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Democratic lawmakers in a report released Monday blasted a Republican-led probe into the judiciary, calling the GOP s investigation an attempt to undermine an independent branch of government.
The Select Committee on Judicial Transparency and Accountability, formed by Republicans last month to investigate the judiciary over GOP allegations of misusing of state resources, failure to retain public records and judicial bias, released its report last week, signed by Republican chair Sen. Greg Hertz, of Polson, and House Majority Leader Sue Vinton, of Billings.
The minority report released by committee Democrats Sen. Diane Sands, of Missoula, and House Minority Leader Kim Abbott, of Helena, starts by labeling the committee a coordinated effort to attack and smear the independent judiciary by Republicans in the Legislature and executive branch.
Montana Chief Justice responds to legislative report helenair.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from helenair.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The last day of the state Legislature proved a rollercoaster day for Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Chris Abbott.
Twice on Thursday lawmakers voted down his confirmation, first in committee and then again on the Senate floor. But after Democrats reversed course on another bill limiting the state s liability when someone falls ill with COVID-19, Republicans later gave way and confirmed Abbott on a 27-23 vote. I havenât slept a lot the last couple days, Abbott said after the final vote. I knew it was going to be close. I understand this issue . in a lot of ways has been bigger than me throughout the whole session.