The latest Dade Phelan news from The Texas Tribune.
Gov. Greg Abbott quickly called lawmakers back to the Capitol for round two, hoping to break an impasse that has outlasted the regular session and one overtime period. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f36bf54c5f48883a11cc55da0b76ab92/0606%20Capitol%20File%20JT%20TT%2013.jpg)
The Senate’s latest proposal is an apparent effort to appease Gov. Greg Abbott and the lower chamber. The state’s top Republicans have been at odds for months over how to use the state’s historic budget surplus to cut property taxes. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2ac70d85c2395ee9b7df4fa98bf02dac/1214%20Community%20Land%20Trust%20OH%20TT%2014.jpg)
In this week’s episode we check in with radio host Mark Davis and politics reporter Patrick Svitek about the GOP intraparty fighting over property taxes and Ken Paxton’s impeachment. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0b61a84effc6569bb8ed41f5132efd72/TribCast-June%2016.jpg)
With several hundred bills awaiting action by the governor, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called the veto threat an affront to Texans and the legislative process. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bd9512476ef9c0d585fd7afe78522ed7/0602%20Abbott%20TPPF%20Lege%20Recap%20EL%20TT%2020.jpg)
Phelan announced the formation of a House committee that could set the tone in favor of vouchers ahead of an expected special session on education. The move comes weeks after Abbott sided with Phelan on a plan to lower property taxes. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3bbc019d89ae5fbacf78c5627cf288f7/House%20Opening%20Day%20BD%20TT%2024.jpg)
The special session churns on with the House adjourned, the Senate still working and the governor welcoming an agreement that has thus far eluded lawmakers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6577a0f148708e271643f27e5dc00ac4/0602%20Abbott%20TPPF%20Lege%20Recap%20EL%20TT%2015.jpg)
Patrick said he had always intended to sign the measure but pulled it aside in response to the House playing “games” at the end of the regular session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8deb74c274e06f2db029bdcdada94980/0606-DanPatrickPresser-JT-04.jpg)
The bill would close a long-standing loophole in state law that allows officials to withhold law enforcement records if no one was convicted in a case. The measure was the only bill sent to the Senate that did not get signed and sent to the governor. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6598c22651ff04ca56cdc1f4f3a0edd8/Patrick%20Phelan%20Split%20TT%2002.jpg)
Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dade Phelan back a plan that spreads property tax relief among all landowners, while Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s proposal would give homeowners a bigger boost than businesses. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/SolarPanels_0002_Layer_0.jpg)
Noncommercial cars in 17 counties will still have to pass an emissions test to obtain a state registration. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/27/Inspection_Sticker_copy.jpg)
Always happy to castigate the Texas House, Patrick breaks form to criticize the governor as misinformed and unsympathetic toward homeowners. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1b5e5d0de305db338b4e6600733bb2c2/Patrick-Abbott-Dade%20Split.jpg)
The House passed a bill without Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s preferred increase to homestead exemptions — then abruptly adjourned for the special session. That basically tells the Senate to take the House bill Gov. Greg Abbott backs or leave it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1e03e03cce3d8e350d32b03955398314/0530%20Dan%20Patrick%20Lege%20Recap%20EG%20TT%2012.jpg)
In 1917, lawmakers debated the extent of their constitutional authority before they convicted Gov. James “Pa” Ferguson and removed him from office. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/92f46e583d3af94425f140b70c1e71a4/Ma_and_Pa_Ferguson.jpg)
As the 88th Legislative Session came to a close, longstanding divisions between traditional conservatives and party’s far right came into focus. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c80cb9121f60e1472f035478a80f6967/0527%20Paxton%20Impeach%20Lege%20BD%20TT%2026.jpg)
The House voted 121-23 to suspend the attorney general and refer him to the Senate for trial on charges of bribery, abuse of office and obstruction. It was the first such impeachment since 1975. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/39517cfa88b8fe5d9e7961898e08acfe/0527%20Paxton%20Impeach%20Lege%20BD%2028.jpg)
Trump made clear that he will politically target any Texas House Republican who lets the impeachment move forward. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7eb0b53288b59f29ce13937b07641b8e/Paxton%20Trump%20REUTERS.jpg)
The vote to adopt the 20 articles of impeachment was 121-23, with three members absent. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c8045c0774cc6283d8b8f9d928a45f6d/0527%20Paxton%20Impeach%20Lege%20BD%20TT%2015.jpg)
Republicans have chosen to remain largely silent during years of alleged misconduct and lawbreaking by the attorney general. Now they will have to take a public stand. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e2cfa226b5cdf0a7a57d42a73f6926aa/0110%20Lege%20Opening%20BD%2031.jpg)
The attorney general, reelected last year by voters who shrugged off his scandals, is accused of a yearslong pattern of alleged misconduct and lawbreaking. The full House is expected to consider the articles soon. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/676a390fd5003c61a847479ae8cabf45/Paxton%20Watch%20Party%20BT%20TT%2014.jpg)
The dramatic turn of events began with Paxton accusing Phelan of presiding over the House while drunk. Phelan’s office called it a ploy and “a last ditch effort to save face.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/941a6b206673a86b23d3baec7746ed2d/Phelan%20Paxton%20Split.jpg)