Dallas Business Lawyer Blog

Judge Orders President Bush To Testify In SMU Lawsuit

 

According to the Dallas Morning News, a  judge ruled Friday that former President George W. Bush will have to give a statement in the lawsuit against Southern Methodist University, despite weeks of legal battles aimed at keeping Bush out of the court fray.

If the order by District Judge Martin Hoffman stands, Bush may be the first current or former president forced to give testimony in a state civil case.

But Bush lawyers said after the ruling that they will file a claim that the judge abused his discretion in ordering Bush to participate. The judge, anticipating that move, said in his order that he would not enforce his order if the matter is on appeal.

Nevertheless, lawyers for the condominium owners suing SMU said the ruling was a huge boost to their case.

The plaintiffs say that SMU bullied condo owners to sell their units to the university without disclosing plans to build a presidential library there. At the same time, they say, SMU officials showed Bush plans to put the library at the University Gardens site even before they tried to buy it.

Bush Foundation officials now say they do not plan to build the library on the disputed land.

Texas Still The Best State for Business According to Publication

 

Texas holds its place for the fourth year in a row as the best state to do business in, according to Chief Executive magazine.

The magazine ranks the states on what it calls “a broad range of issues” including natural resources, regulation, tax policies, quality of living, education and infrastructure.

Texas was giving top ratings for both transportation and economy, and was also noted for its access to capital and technology and innovation.

Following Texas was North Carolina, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. The worst states to do business with, according to the study was California, New York, Michigan, New Jersey and Massachusetts.