Rep. Dawnna Dukes explanation for absences raises more questions

Indicted state Rep. Dawnna Dukes told KUT that the reason Texas House records show that she has missed nine out of the first 14 days of the legislative session is that her colleagues are not marking her present when she is in the chamber but not at her desk, a common practice.

“Absolutely, I’ve been there and the journal is not always correct,” Dukes, an Austin Democrat, told KUT. “Apparently there’s a new one or two that don’t know the process.”

Dukes’ comments to KUT come a day after the American-Statesman reported that she had missed all but five of the first 14 days the House has met, according to the daily House journal. Dukes did not respond to a request for comment for that story.

A Statesman reporter has been present for most days the House has met so far, and Dukes was not in the chamber for many of them. Her desk is directly in front of the seating area for journalists.

Read more: http://www.statesman.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/rep-dawnna-dukes-explanation-for-absences-raises-more-questions/VhQ0bksjft8r03PIwmDSVN/