AT THE CAPITOL
News from the 88th legislative session
Sign up for our newsletter at communityimpact.com for daily updates throughout the session. SUBSCRIBE TODAY House Bill 608 Harris is a joint author of this bill—which was sent to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk for approval May 22—that permits county commissioners courts to allow retail firework sales five days before the first day of Diwali through midnight on the last day of Diwali. Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is celebrated in Indian religions, including Hinduism. NUMBER TO KNOW have set aside in a 1,030-page budget, which will fund a variety of state programs for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. $321B That’s how much Texas lawmakers UPDATES FROM LOCAL LEGISLATORS STATE REP. CAROLINE HARRIS District 52 • Republican • Elected: 2022
Attorney General Ken Paxton impeached, suspended
BY HANNAH NORTON
A TIMELINE OF THE IMPEACHMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL KEN PAXTON
The Texas House impeached Attorney General Ken Paxton on May 27 over allegations of bribery, conspiracy and other forms of misconduct. House lawmakers voted 121-23 to adopt 20 articles of impeachment against the third-term Republican. The House General Investigating Committee began a probe into Paxton’s alleged misconduct in March after he asked the Texas Legislature to use public funds to pay for a $3.3 million settlement between Paxton and four of his former employees. Paxton is suspended from office without pay and barred from performing his official duties. Former Secretary of State John Scott will serve as interim attorney general, Gov. Greg Abbott announced May 31. Next, the Texas Senate will conduct a trial to determine if Paxton will be reinstated or permanently removed from office. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will serve as the judge. Houston attorneys Dick DeGuerin and Rusty Hardin will prosecute Paxton during the trial, and Houston attorney Tony Buzbee will lead the legal team representing Paxton. If two-thirds of senators vote to convict Paxton on the impeachment charges, he will not be allowed to run for re-election or hold any other state office in Texas. Paxton, who has denied the allegations, called the House’s vote to impeach him a “sham” and said he looked forward to “a quick resolution in the Texas Senate.”
FEB. 10 Paxton enters into a $3.3 million settlement agreement with four former employees who said they were wrongfully fired in 2020. FEB. 21 Paxton asks the Texas Legislature to fund his settlement with taxpayer money. MARCH 8-20 House General Investigating Committee opens an investigation into Paxton and the proposed settlement. MAY 24 Attorneys present material from the investigation during a four-hour committee hearing. MAY 25 The committee unanimously adopts 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton. The articles and a full transcript of the hearing are shared with House lawmakers. MAY 31 Gov. Greg Abbott appoints former Secretary of State John Scott to serve as interim attorney general. MAY 27 After four hours of debate, Texas House votes 121-23 to impeach Paxton. He is immediately suspended from office. JUNE 20 Seven state senators will present the proposed rules for the impeachment trial to the full Senate. Once the rules are adopted, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will set a date for the trial. JUNE 1 Houston attorneys Dick DeGuerin and Rusty Hardin are selected as prosecutors for the Texas Senate trial. SOURCE: TEXAS HOUSE GENERAL INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Get Hired!
Jobs starting at $20/hr + Benefits
Apply today at AustinCityJobs.org
17
SOUTHWEST AUSTIN - DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION • JUNE 2023
Powered by FlippingBook