More Fallout from Comptroller's Security Breach
The Houston Chronicle is reporting a second class-action lawsuit has been filed against Texas Comptroller Susan Combs on behalf of the 3.5 million people whose personal information was compromised online. The suit was filed in federal court in Houston.
"We are seeking the $1,000 statutory penalty for each of these individuals whose privacy was violated by the Comptroller," said attorney Muhammad Aziz, of the Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto and Friend law firm. The named plaintiff is Sherry A. McClung, a Lufkin school teacher.
Meanwhile, the Austin American-Statesman is reporting a fraud monitoring company hired by the comptroller's office says it hasn't yet found any activity to suggest identity thieves have used any information exposed in the security lapse.
As of Thursday, about 57,000 people affected by the lapse have signed up for the credit monitoring service that is being paid for by the comptroller's office, said Joe Ross, president of Austin-based CSIdentity. In checking for problems with those enrollees, Ross said, "We haven't seen anything that's been an indicator that there's been an identity theft related to the breach."
Abortion Sonogram Bill Headed to Governor's Desk
The Texas Legislature's abortion sonogram bill is headed to the governor's desk where it is expected to be signed into law. The House gave final approval to the bill yesterday.
It would require women seeking abortions to get a sonogram at least 24 hours before the procedure and to listen to a description of the fetus. Gov. Rick Perry declared the bill emergency legislation at the start of the session.
SBOE Map Now in Governor's Hands
The new district map for the State Board of Education is also headed to the governor's desk. The Associated Press reports the Texas House approved Senate changes to the new voting map Thursday.
Critics say the vote on the map for the 15-member board just maintains the status quo without taking into account the huge influx of minority growth over the past decade. They say the map doesn't meet the standards of the Voting Rights Act and want another Hispanic to be elected to the board.
The State Board of Education sets curriculum standards for Texas public schools.