Casar has impressive progressive endorsements, from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders. But he also is tied to some of Austin’s most progressive policies which have attracted powerful enemies and turned off some moderate Democrats.
Texas House Committee Holds Hearing on Bill That Would Create State Process to End Police Qualified Immunity
AUSTIN, Texas (April 7, 2021) – A Texas House committee recently held a hearing on a bill that would create a process to sue police officers in state court for using excessive force or taking other actions that violate individual rights without the possibility of “qualified immunity” as a defense.
Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) filed House Bill 88 (HB88) on Nov. 9. The legislation would create a cause of action in state courts to sue police officers who under the color of law “deprived the person of or caused the person to be deprived of a right, privilege, or immunity secured by the Texas Constitution.” The proposed law specifically states “qualified immunity or a defendant’s good faith but erroneous belief in the lawfulness of the defendant’s conduct is not a defense to an action brought under this chapter.”