NOW: Alaska Legislature Considers Voting on Subpoenas in Trooper-Gate

[L. Coyote]

Alaska Leg. Holds Session Today, Considers Voting on Subpoenas in Trooper-Gate
By Kate Klonick - September 12, 2008, 9:22AM - http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/09/alaska_leg_holds_session_today.php


The Alaska state legislature's House and Senate Judiciary Committees are meeting this morning in Anchorage to discuss the possibility of issuing subpoenas in the investigation of Gov. Sarah Palin.

The move comes after the seven witnesses called to give depositions to the independent investigator Stephen Branchflower, suddenly canceled their testimony. (http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/09/palin_aide_have_same_lawyer.php)

Yesterday, senior assistant Attorney General Michael Barnhill wrote a seven-page letter (http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/docs/law-letter-to-leg-council-090908/?resultpage=1&) to the legislature stating that "the eyes of the nation have now turned upon us," and that his office would move to quash the subpoenas (http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/09/palin_may_quash_subpoenas_in_t.php) if they were issued at the hearing today.

The meeting begins at 9 AM AKDT, or 1PM EST. We'll be listening by teleconference, so be sure to check back later.

[L. Coyote]

1. BREAKING: Subpoenas in Trooper-Gate, Including for Todd Palin

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/09/ak_judiciary_committee_votes_to_issue_subpoenas_in_trooper-gate.php
AK Judiciary Committee Votes to Issue Subpoenas in Trooper-Gate, Including for Todd Palin
By Kate Klonick - September 12, 2008, 3:40PM

The Alaska Senate Judiciary Committee voted today to grant the independent investigator Stephen Branchflower the subpoenas he requested to continue his investigation of Gov. Sarah Palin, including a subpoena for the testimony of the First Gentleman, Todd Palin.

Branchflower requested thirteen subpoenas, including a request for the testimony of the governor's husband because he is "such a central figure" to the Trooper-Gate controversy, he thought "one should be issued for him."

The committee debated for over two hours, with Sen. Bill Wielechowski (D) pushing to keep politics out of the investigation.

[1corona4u]

2. Thanks for the update.