New Mexico attorney general not hot on looking for missing Texas legislators
AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Monday, May 12, 2003
The attorney general in New Mexico says Texas law enforcement officials probably can't go into that state to arrest missing state lawmakers -- and she made clear she's not hot on looking for them.
Attorney General Patricia Madrid said if Texas issues arrest warrants for the officials, then New Mexico officials may act on them and extradition proceedings would have to be held.
Her comments came after Gov. Rick Perry's office asked New Mexico whether it would allow Texas officials to make arrests in that state. Madrid said the question is being researched. But she wasn't taking it all serious.
"Some are speculating this request from the Texas Governor's office concerns an effort to locate missing Texas House Democrats," Madrid wrote. "If so, Texas should understand that since ski season is over, the Santa Fe Opera has not begun and President Bush was just in town, I don't think they are in Santa Fe now. Nevertheless, I have put out an all-points bulletin for law enforcement to be on the look out for politicians in favor of health care for the needy and against tax cuts for the wealthy."
She also wrote that normal arrest procedures should be followed and "this is an internal political matter to be handled by Texas government officials."
HOW ABOUT THAT NEW MEXICO ATTORNEY GENERAL?
