Judge Dietz declines to recuse from school case

State District Judge John Dietz has declined a request by Attorney General Greg Abbott to step down from the school-finance case, sending the motion to recuse to another judge for consideration.

In a court filing Monday, Abbott accused Dietz of engaging in improper communication via email with lawyers for the plaintiff school districts, which filed suit challenging the state’s school finance system as inadequate and unconstitutional.

Some of the emails, which have not been made public, indicated that Dietz was acting as an advocate for the plaintiff school districts, Abbott’s motion stated.

Lawyers for the plaintiff school districts disputed that characterization.

More at http://www.statesman.com/news/news/judge-dietz-declines-to-recuse-from-school-case/ngC6Q/ .