INSIDER
Texas Sens. Charles Schwertner, Borris Miles silent after new accusations of sexual harassment in report
Read full article: Texas Sens. Charles Schwertner, Borris Miles silent after new accusations of sexual harassment in reportA Texas Monthly article revealed fresh allegations of sexual harassment against two senators with a history of scandals.
In a sharp reversal, North Texas voters pick Brent Money over Jill Dutton in House GOP primary
Read full article: In a sharp reversal, North Texas voters pick Brent Money over Jill Dutton in House GOP primaryDutton just won a special election against Money to fill expelled Rep. Bryan Slaton’s unexpired term through the end of the year.
Texas House candidate Kyle Biedermann blasts expulsion of Bryan Slaton, removed for having sex with a drunk intern
Read full article: Texas House candidate Kyle Biedermann blasts expulsion of Bryan Slaton, removed for having sex with a drunk internIn a statement, Biedermann said the point he was trying to make was that leaders “selectively punish impropriety.”
In Texas House special election, big endorsements weren’t enough for Brent Money
Read full article: In Texas House special election, big endorsements weren’t enough for Brent MoneyMoney fell short in the runoff for House District 2, despite winning the support of a who’s who of Texas Republican leaders.
From RaTmasTer to kingmaker: How Jonathan Stickland trolled his way to Texas GOP power
Read full article: From RaTmasTer to kingmaker: How Jonathan Stickland trolled his way to Texas GOP powerIn his teens and his 20s, Stickland was a prolific internet troll. But instead of growing out of it, he would make a career of it — ascending to the role of a conservative Texas powerbroker, before taking heat for hosting a meeting with white supremacist Nick Fuentes.
In debate, GOP candidates for Texas House special election mirror statewide intraparty tensions
Read full article: In debate, GOP candidates for Texas House special election mirror statewide intraparty tensionsThe two feuding Republicans were the top two finishers in a November special election to succeed expelled state Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City, in House District 2.
Gov. Greg Abbott sets January date for Texas House special election runoff
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott sets January date for Texas House special election runoffThe runoff features two Republicans from dueling factions of the party, Jill Dutton and Brent Money, vying to finish the term of former state Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City.
Jill Dutton, Brent Money advance to runoff for Texas House special election
Read full article: Jill Dutton, Brent Money advance to runoff for Texas House special electionFive Republicans and one Democrat were on the ballot for the ruby-red seat, but most of the drama has focused on two GOP candidates, Dutton and Money.
Defend Texas Liberty backs Brent Money in special election to replace Bryan Slaton
Read full article: Defend Texas Liberty backs Brent Money in special election to replace Bryan SlatonThe far-right political action committee is getting involved in a critical special election for the Texas House, the first major test of its influence since its then-leader was spotted meeting with a prominent white supremacist.
Ousted Rep. Bryan Slaton’s tarnished legacy looms over special election to replace him
Read full article: Ousted Rep. Bryan Slaton’s tarnished legacy looms over special election to replace himCandidates are promising to restore integrity to the district, including one Republican who has welcomed endorsements from some of Slaton’s leading supporters.
Ken Paxton’s far-right billionaire backers are fighting hard to save him
Read full article: Ken Paxton’s far-right billionaire backers are fighting hard to save himWith the attorney general’s impeachment trial set for September, supporters have risen to Paxton’s defense, fueled by the deep pockets of oil-rich West Texas donors.
Exposed as a hypocrite, Bryan Slaton’s Texas House downfall could complicate GOP fight against ‘groomers’
Read full article: Exposed as a hypocrite, Bryan Slaton’s Texas House downfall could complicate GOP fight against ‘groomers’Republicans were so busy policing drag artists and transgender Texans that they missed so-called “grooming behavior” by one of their own, LGBTQ advocates say.
State Rep. Bryan Slaton resigns ahead of expulsion vote over inappropriate relationship with aide
Read full article: State Rep. Bryan Slaton resigns ahead of expulsion vote over inappropriate relationship with aideThe Royse City Republican had come under growing pressure to step down after an investigation determined he had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a 19-year-old woman on his staff.
Texas House committee recommends expelling Rep. Bryan Slaton
Read full article: Texas House committee recommends expelling Rep. Bryan SlatonThe House General Investigating Committee found that Slaton, a Republican from Royse City, engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with a subordinate. The Texas Tribune previously reported on an allegation that he had sex with one of his staff, a woman under 21, and gave her alcohol.
Rep. Bryan Slaton declines to discuss attendance at closed investigative hearing
Read full article: Rep. Bryan Slaton declines to discuss attendance at closed investigative hearingThe Royse City Republican, accused of having an inappropriate relationship with an employee, emerged from a room where a House investigative panel was meeting.
Texas House investigative committee sets hearing into allegations of inappropriate conduct by lawmaker
Read full article: Texas House investigative committee sets hearing into allegations of inappropriate conduct by lawmakerWeeks after the committee issued four subpoenas without disclosing what they were for, it moves forward with its investigation into an unnamed lawmaker.
Senators propose ‘maximum sentencing’ for Texas lawmakers who provide alcohol to underage staff
Read full article: Senators propose ‘maximum sentencing’ for Texas lawmakers who provide alcohol to underage staffThe House passed a bill with a late amendment to make it a state jail felony for a “public officer” to give alcohol to a minor under any circumstances. Slaton voted for the amendment.
Staffer alleged in complaint that state Rep. Bryan Slaton had sex with Capitol intern
Read full article: Staffer alleged in complaint that state Rep. Bryan Slaton had sex with Capitol internThe new details about the allegation stem from the complaint filed against Slaton to the House General Investigating Committee.
Texas House investigating committee issues four subpoenas, days after allegations against Bryan Slaton emerge
Read full article: Texas House investigating committee issues four subpoenas, days after allegations against Bryan Slaton emergeThe committee would not say who was being issued the subpoenas or for what purpose.
Complaint alleges Rep. Bryan Slaton had “inappropriate relationship” with an intern
Read full article: Complaint alleges Rep. Bryan Slaton had “inappropriate relationship” with an internThe complaint came after an incident in which Slaton and the staffer allegedly met up at his Austin apartment last weekend. A separate staffer told The Texas Tribune that Slaton drank alcohol with an intern under 21 years old.
Ken Paxton wants more power to prosecute election crimes. These bills in the Texas Legislature would give it to him.
Read full article: Ken Paxton wants more power to prosecute election crimes. These bills in the Texas Legislature would give it to him.Although no evidence of widespread voter fraud has been found, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has been actively pursuing election-related crimes since he took office in 2015.
Effort to ban Democratic chairs fails in Texas House, but rule passes to penalize future quorum-breakers
Read full article: Effort to ban Democratic chairs fails in Texas House, but rule passes to penalize future quorum-breakersHouse Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, snuffed out a monthslong push Wednesday to end the chamber’s longtime tradition of having committee chairs from both parties.
Texas GOP lawmaker hires Christian nationalist who called for drag show attendees to be executed
Read full article: Texas GOP lawmaker hires Christian nationalist who called for drag show attendees to be executedState Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, hired Jake Neidert, 22, last month as his office’s legislative director amid a wave of anti-LGBTQ violence and rhetoric and ahead of an impending legislative session that is expected to focus heavily on anti-trans bills.
By tradition, the minority party gets to chair some Texas House committees. Some in the GOP want to end that.
Read full article: By tradition, the minority party gets to chair some Texas House committees. Some in the GOP want to end that.Republican critics say conservative priorities will always be hamstrung if Democrats, who are in the minority party, get a say in which legislation reaches the floor.
Another Texas GOP lawmaker is attempting to make abortion punishable by the death penalty
Read full article: Another Texas GOP lawmaker is attempting to make abortion punishable by the death penaltyA Texas lawmaker has filed a bill that would abolish and criminalize abortions, leaving women and physicians who perform the procedure to face criminal charges that could carry the death penalty. The legislation, filed Tuesday by state Rep. Bryan Slaton, does not include exceptions for rape or incest. All my bill does, is say that an unborn child is the same as a born child and should be treated the same by the laws.”Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has identified two abortion bills that will be priority items during the legislative session that started in January. One would ban nearly all abortions if the Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision or otherwise altered abortion laws.
Republican Texas lawmakers reviving push to end in-state tuition for undocumented college students
Read full article: Republican Texas lawmakers reviving push to end in-state tuition for undocumented college studentsTwo state lawmakers want to prevent undocumented college students from being able to pay in-state tuition rates. Two freshman Republican state representatives want to stop undocumented immigrants from being able to pay in-state tuition at Texas’ public universities, they announced Friday. In 2001, Texas became the first state to allow undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition. In his statement, Cason called in-state tuition rates for undocumented students “handouts” from the Legislature that frustrate Texans whose property taxes are rising. AdThis is not the first time Texas GOP lawmakers have sought to repeal the 2001 law that allows undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition.
Texas House requires masks for 2021 legislative session, declines to expand virtual testimony
Read full article: Texas House requires masks for 2021 legislative session, declines to expand virtual testimonyLegislators greet each other on the floor of the House prior to the opening of the 2021 legislative session. Members may also remove masks during a committee hearing if protected by a barrier and socially distanced from others. Every senator will be required to test negative for the virus before entering the upper chamber or attending a committee hearing. “That is the people's House,” said Hunter, one of the House members spearheading the rules proposal. “Would Rep. Stickland — I mean Rep. Slaton — yield to a question?” Leach asked.
Two Texas House incumbents, Dan Flynn and J.D. Sheffield, fall behind early in primary runoff results
Read full article: Two Texas House incumbents, Dan Flynn and J.D. Sheffield, fall behind early in primary runoff resultsTwo Republican Texas House incumbents were considerably behind their primary runoff opponents as early election results came in Tuesday. State Rep. Dan Flynn of Canton trailed Bryan Slaton 37% to 62%. State Rep. J.D. The winner will face off against Republican Lacey Hull in November after state Rep. Dwayne Bohac, R-Houston, opted against seeking reelection. No matter what happens in the general election, House members will have a new speaker for the 2021 legislative session.
Three Texas House runoffs give warring GOP factions chance to settle up before November
Read full article: Three Texas House runoffs give warring GOP factions chance to settle up before NovemberThe anti-abortion group has endorsed Flynn challenger Bryan Slaton, Sheffield rival Shelby Slawson and Francis. He is the only candidate across the three runoffs that the group has formally endorsed, and he is the son-in-law of Farris Wilks, one of Empower Texans top allied donors. And the governors campaign has since put significant money behind the endorsement, making $83,000 in in-kind contributions to Rogers campaign, including for a TV ad buy featuring Abbott pitching Rogers direct-to-camera. Flynn, Slaton has argued on the campaign trail, is a do-nothing Republican who has not represented the district while in office. Slatons taken over a $150,000 from West Texas oil billionaires the same West Texas billionaires funding vile attacks on Gov.