Texas Politics

A committee on Tuesday declined to advance a House bill that would increase penalties for smuggling and operating a stash house. The move comes as both chambers are already at an impasse over property-tax relief.

John Scott will take over the role as the state’s top attorney following the suspension of Ken Paxton, who was impeached by the Texas House last week.

The hearing Thursday morning is the latest in the years-long effort by Texas and its conservative allies to end the popular program that has granted limited relief to undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children.

Along with property taxes, lawmakers have been tasked by Gov. Abbott to revisit two key border and immigration proposals that didn’t make it to his desk during the regular session of the Texas Legislature that ended on Memorial Day.

Lawmakers considered measures on university tenure, school safety and border security.

Child support enforcement, environmental regulation, consumer protection and a host of other responsibilities fall under the attorney general’s realm at what is essentially the state’s largest law firm.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has been impeached by fellow Republicans in a historic vote in the Texas House. He will immediately and temporarily be suspended from his duties.

The vote comes after House-hired investigators publicly detailed a list of illegal acts Paxton allegedly committed in an effort to protect a political donor.

The 20 articles of impeachment Paxton could face include constitutional bribery, obstruction of justice, disregard of official duty and misapplication of public resources.

Only two other state government officers have been impeached: a governor in 1917 and a district judge in 1975.

The proposal would leave billions of anticipated tax revenue untouched at a time when the state has more money coming in than lawmakers are constitutionally allowed to spend.

The literal dumpster fire erupted hours after a House committee publicly detailed its investigation into Paxton over allegations of abuse of office.