The latest Dustin Burrows news from The Texas Tribune.
After a month of allegations and denials about a political meeting between a conservative activist, the speaker of the Texas House and a committee chairman, there's still a missing link: proof. There's a recording of the meeting, but the activist who taped it won't share it with the public. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1014fdfe0c885b52c3ae071077ae32c6/MQS%20JF%20TT.jpg)
After a month of silence, a state representative tangled in a political misadventure in the Texas Capitol emerged to say he'll seek reelection with the endorsement of the governor. But the harmony is tentative, and the scandal is still under investigation by the Texas Rangers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/36d2f074b40d108ebfb2b75ecb23e213/Burrows%20Bonnen%20MKC%20TT.jpg)
Burrows said he hasn't been contacted by the Texas Rangers about his meeting with Sullivan and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, but said "there was nothing illegal done." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5aab1fb9bcbe2521e7576e004b11a609/Burrows%20House%20floor%20MKC%20TT.jpg)
Abbott's endorsement comes days after Burrows resigned as the leader of the House GOP caucus. Burrows and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen have been accused of asking a conservative activist to target GOP lawmakers in 2020. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6d48ac6b8a618046680aa44f1bc90a02/1293%20Dustin%20Burrows%20JF%20May%2014%20TT.jpg)
Democrats hoping to flip the Texas House are touting the controversy surrounding the meeting as a sign of Republican dysfunction. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/26b60ac186205dc2e11541c29cc7d77a/03_Dennis_Bonnen_Speaker_House_MG.jpg)
Conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan has said he secretly recorded Burrows and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen asking him to challenge 10 House incumbents in the 2020 elections. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5ba009991d72e7628f6dda239b5b65c1/04_HB2_Bonnen_Burrows_MG.jpg)
At issue is whether Bonnen, an Angleton Republican, and state Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, offered hardline conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan media credentials for his organization in exchange for politically targeting a list of fellow GOP members in the 2020 primaries. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/24a65918ce1e0dd90a601cc846550cc1/02%20Bonnen%20MQS%20Comitte%20Hearing%20MG%20TT.jpg)
With the speaker of the house and state attorney general under fire, the long-suffering party sees a potentially helpful thread heading into 2020. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/26a95942a2af132e726a9c6152e97c57/Dennis%20Bonnen%20Stickland%20MG%20TT.jpg)
If the members of the Texas House are still on Speaker Dennis Bonnen's side after they know just what he said to a political activist in a secretly recorded meeting, he'll keep his job. It comes down to trust. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7656d7e5c36e87418b0e8f4c36607f3f/01_House_School_Finance_EW.jpg)
In their lawsuit, the Democrats contend Bonnen, Sullivan and state Rep. Dustin Burrows violated campaign finance laws and demanded that Sullivan produce a recording of the meeting that he has so far played only for select Republicans. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/27fcc053245e8d01d7c45ab80b10b707/Bonnen%20Fallen%20Heroes%20ceremony%20MKC%20TT.jpg)
The House General Investigating Committee, which holds subpoena power, will review allegations that Bonnen offered media credentials to a conservative group if it targeted 10 GOP lawmakers in the upcoming election. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/51c76130f6fcf97d5399faa2c7c18875/07_Dennis_Bonnen_EW.jpg)
The crisis around Bonnen is heating up as newly revealed recordings add some credence to allegations that he and a trusted lieutenant plotted with a political activist against some GOP House members. Will his members believe him — or his accuser? Full Story
The recording of a meeting between Bonnen and hardline conservative Michael Quinn Sullivan has not been publicly released, but Sullivan has said that Bonnen offered Sullivan's activist group media credentials in return for politically targeting 10 House members. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/89ff41417c28b5b8a81da983f2efb664/Bonnen_waiting_2_BD.jpg)
Conservative firebrand Michael Quinn Sullivan made the allegation Thursday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6f9dc933699fa001171c1eff1ada0d56/Dennis%20Bonnen%20Sine%20Die%20Weekend%20MKC%20TT.jpg)
The bill aims to slow rising property tax revenues and make it easier for Texans to understand how their tax bills are determined. The House and Senate both approved it Saturday, and it is expected to soon be sent to Abbott for his signature. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9dc2017e90fb5f6e0bcf086d2837a963/16%20Sine%20Die%20Weekend%20Saturday%20MG%20TT.jpg)
The final version of the bill is expected to require cities, counties and emergency service districts to hold an election before raising 3.5% more property tax revenue than the previous year. Community colleges and hospital districts would need to do so at 8%. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/235e41af3a9379c9f92ba7c5e1a14b5d/03_Capitol_Building_AP_TT.jpg)
Gov. Greg Abbott and other legislative leaders endorsed the sales tax increase, intended to help fund ongoing cuts to school district taxes. But it has been effectively killed this session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a49e25b5a3524b48d33d562c203997de/02_Huberty_HJ3_MG_TT.jpg)
The revision was made in the House. But the high-priority property tax bill is expected to head to a conference committee, where negotiations could change or remove the provision. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4f814a603394206061a383c7652c18be/14_HB2_House_Floor_MG.jpg)
The House approved the bill designed to slow local property tax revenue growth, but made the bill contingent on the passage of a school finance bill, which is still pending in the Senate. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/77933e68a93f4c926698ea118bbc2baf/01_Dennis_Bonnnen_Committee_Announcement_MG_TT.jpg)
An amendment added to a Senate property tax bill ties it to school finance — a signal the Texas House doesn't want to leave the harder-to-pass education bill behind. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/67e4c0e0ae0ca3fe80317ac3b39d87d6/01_HB2_Bonnen_Burrows_MG.jpg)