Texas ends legislative session with impeachment trial progress for Ken Paxton.
The Texas Legislature’s regular session came to a close with last-minute negotiations to resolve differences between the House and Senate over a property tax cut deal. Throughout the day, the question of when it would end lingered in the air. A group of negotiators worked tirelessly in the back room while lawmakers on the House floor passed friendly resolutions. This included honoring State Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) for her 50 years of service in the House.
Rep. Thompson commended the House for being able to put aside partisanship on several issues and work on them. One of the major bipartisan deals made during the 140-day gathering was the agreement on a $321 billion two-year budget.
The struggle to pass tax relief during the session did produce a victory for advocates of menstrual hygiene products. The Legislature was able to approve a new sales tax exemption on such products, beating a critical deadline. Representatives like Donna Howard (D-Austin) were glad to see this decision, adding that they are also looking into exempting sales tax on diapers for infants and adults that need them. She says these are necessities for families and exempting sales tax is a way of achieving freedom from everyday essentials, from taxes.
Even though the regular session has ended, political turmoil under the Capitol dome is not over yet. Lawmakers anticipate that Governor Greg Abbott will try to revive his controversial school choice tuition idea in a special session. Governor Abbott did not speak to reporters from FOX 7 Austin during an event he attended for Memorial Day.
State Senator Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) received a big vote of appointment in the Texas Senate, making him the Interim President Pro-tem. Sen. Schwertner believes that it is essential to rise above petty personal grievances and partisan agendas, focus on finding common ground, and commit themselves wholeheartedly to serving all Texans.
However, Sen. Schwertner’s term will undoubtedly be interrupted by a special session and the impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. During Memorial Day, Paxton spent his time with family and posted on social media. The house impeachment board of managers officially delivered the Articles of Impeachment against Paxton to the Texas Senate. The board, appointed by a House Resolution, is composed of seven Republicans and five Democrats, and will be chaired by Rep. Andrew Murr (R-Junction) and vice-chaired by Rep. Ann Johnson (D-Houston). The other ten members are Reps. Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth), Joe Moody (D-El Paso), Terry Canales (D-Edinburg), Jeff Leach (R-Plano), Oscar Longoria (D-Mission), Morgan Meyer (R-University Park), Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park), Cody Vasut (R-Angleton), David Spiller (R-Jacksboro), and Erin Gámez (D-Brownsville). A date for the trial is yet to be determined.
