Citizen Board Proposal Voted Down

EL PASO - After representative Steve Ortega proposed creating a citizen review board to investigate how utilities handled the winter crisis, council voted against it.

Ortega proposed that the independent board conduct its own investigation with subpoena power, but the idea failed.

Representatives who voted against it didn't think a separate body was needed because so many investigations are already underway. Ortega says he's disappointed with the outcome.

"The event that took place ten days ago warrants scrutiny, in particular scrutiny that's detached from federal, state, or local government," he said.

Mayor John Cook broke the tie when he voted against the board.