Public Utility Com'n of Texas v. Cofer

WALLACE, Justice.

This original proceeding is brought in the name of the Public Utilities Commission [PUC], against the Honorable Hume Cofer of the 98th District Court in Travis County. The underlying action that is now pending in that court involves an appeal from a decision of the PUC in a major telephone rate case. The issue before us is whether Judge Cofer clearly abused his discretion in holding that the Attorney General could not represent both the PUC and a state agency that is appealing its decision. In response to a motion filed by outside counsel hired by the PUC, Judge Cofer held…