On Monday at the State Capitol House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) pushed back against critics who have slammed him over alleged abuse of the “legislative leave” law that allows elected officials serving as attorneys to delay cases when they conflict with legislative duties.
The story caused quite the stir in political circles, though many high profile names including former governors Nathan Deal and Roy Barnes have urged caution, calling it “foolhardy” to ask for Ralston’s resignation.
Last week a group of nine legislators, led by Rep. David Clark (R-Buford) signed a resolution demanding the Speaker step down over what they termed “abuses of power.” Pundits including Erick Erickson and Debbie Dooley have been aggressive in their criticism, although very few high-profile Democrats have pushed the issue at all.
Ralston went public with his response Monday, saying that he chooses “not to be defensive, angry and paranoid” and that while he understands the concern, the matter of “legislative leave” is a more complex situation than has been made out. In that vein the Speaker offered his own set of details not brought up by the media, including that:
- Not all of the continuances were requested by (Ralston).
- Not once has a judge or prosecutor in those two circuits questioned his need for legislative leave.
- The court’s calendar is prioritized by the court and/or the prosecutor and because of this, not all of the time did the filing of legislative leave alone result in delay.
- Over the two years of the study, 23 cases were completed and closed out- more than the cases impacted by legislative leave;
- Finally, there was no mention that the court, prosecutor and (Ralston) met in one circuit last November and agreed that 2 of the 4 cases would be specially set for trial in May or June this spring.
He went on to pledge that “no action I have taken has been illegal, wrong or unethical.”
The Speaker also announced the formation of “a bi-partisan advisory group” that will examine legislative leave and make recommendations for possible changes. He stated, “I will ask this group to look at the practices of other states which have a part-time citizen legislatures. This group will consist of legislators, judges (active and retired), prosecutors, members of the legal community and lay persons. Those who make their living screaming into a microphone need not apply.”
Further Ralston said he would not be taking on any more criminal cases until the situation is resolved.
