Email
MRT 8/6/25 (free): Abbott Asks TX Supreme Court to Expel AWOL Dem Ringleader Wu // Bomb Threat Evacuates AWOL Dems in IL // Burrows Unifying TX House GOP // Cornyn Asks FBI to Assist DPS
| From | Must Read Texas <[email protected]> |
| Subject | MRT 8/6/25 (free): Abbott Asks TX Supreme Court to Expel AWOL Dem Ringleader Wu // Bomb Threat Evacuates AWOL Dems in IL // Burrows Unifying TX House GOP // Cornyn Asks FBI to Assist DPS |
| Date | August 6, 2025 8:37 PM |
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[MustReadTexas.com]([link removed]) – [@MustReadTexas]([link removed])
BY: [@MattMackowiak]([link removed])
———————————————————————————
**WEDNESDAY **| 8/6/205
———————————————————————————
**Good Wednesday afternoon.**
_Thank you for reading as a FREE subscriber._
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* **TOP NEWS **
**“Gov. Greg Abbott asks Texas Supreme Court to expel House Democratic leader who left state,” **Texas Tribune's** Eleanor Klibanoff **-- "Gov. **Greg Abbott** on Tuesday asked the Texas Supreme Court to remove Houston Rep. **Gene Wu**, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, from office, an unprecedented escalation in Republicans’ efforts to resume business in the Legislature and advance new congressional maps.
At least 50 House Democrats have left the state to prevent the chamber from obtaining a quorum — the minimum number of members necessary to undertake legislative business — in an effort to delay the passage of new congressional lines that could net five more seats for Republicans. The unusual mid-decade redistricting effort comes at the behest of President **Donald Trump** and his political team, despite [initial reluctance]([link removed]) from Abbott and the majority of Texas’ GOP congressional delegation.
» [BECOME A PAID SUBSCRIBER: $7/mo]([link removed])
Democrats left the state Sunday afternoon, ahead of a Monday vote to advance the bill. Wu, as leader of the House Democrats, announced that “this corrupt special session is over” and vowed to stay out of the state long enough to allow the session's remaining two weeks to run out.
In his legal filing, Abbott argued that amounts to an abandonment of office and is sufficient grounds to have Wu’s seat vacated.
» [BECOME A PAID SUBSCRIBER: $70/yr]([link removed])
“What is at stake here? Nothing less than the future of Texas,” Abbott wrote. “If a small fraction of recalcitrant lawmakers choose to run out the clock today, they can do so for any, and every, Regular or Special Session, potentially bankrupting the State in an attempt to get their way.”
Wu argued that denying a quorum "was not an abandonment of my office," but "a fulfillment of my oath" of office to abide by the Constitution.
"When a governor conspires with a disgraced president to ram through a racist gerrymandered map, my constitutional duty is to not be a willing participant," Wu said in a statement, in which he accused Abbott of seeking to "silence my dissent by removing a duly-elected official from office."
Attorney General **Ken Paxton**, who threatened to file similar legal actions earlier in the day against multiple House Democrats, followed Abbott's emergency petition by sending his own letter to the state Supreme Court hours later, in which he argued that Abbott lacked the authority to request the removal.
Paxton wrote that while he "appreciates the Governor’s passion" for restoring a quorum, state law permits only the attorney general or a local county or district attorney to bring what's known as [a quo warranto proceeding]([link removed]), which seeks a member's removal on the grounds that they have abandoned their office.
In the letter, Paxton said he would take action against the absent legislators if the House continued to lack a quorum on Friday, the deadline set by House Speaker **Dustin Burrows**.
Abbott clarified in a [social media post]([link removed]) later in the night that his filing sought quo warranto through a provision in the Texas Constitution and a separate portion of government code, which he said would give his office the proper authority. He also attached a letter addressed to the state Supreme Court in the post that stated "at least 500 years of common law" made it clear the governor's office could make the filing.
Paxton has previously acknowledged that this would likely be a lengthy and complicated process, telling conservative podcaster Benny Johnson that they’d have to bring individual lawsuits in each district.
“We'd have to go through a court process, and we'd have to file that maybe in districts that are not friendly to Republicans,” Paxton said on Monday. “So it's a challenge because every district would be different.”
If a judge were to find that the seats were vacant, they would be filled through a special election.
The Supreme Court of Texas is entirely Republican, and Chief Justice **Jimmy Blacklock**, [appointed in January]([link removed]), was formerly Abbott’s general counsel. When he appointed Blacklock to the bench in 2018, [Abbott said]([link removed]) he “wanted to make sure that the person I appointed was going to make decisions that I know how they are going to decide.” Blacklock has said that was more a reflection of their shared judicial philosophy.
In 2021, Blacklock [authored an opinion]([link removed]) for the court that said the Texas Constitution enables the possibility of a so-called “quorum break,” although it also allows for consequences to bring members back." [Texas Tribune]([link removed])
———————————————————————————
**FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS HAVE ENDED**_: As of July 11, 2022, we have moved to a paywall for free subscribers. Free subscribers will only receive the top story in their morning email. Free subscribers will need to become paid subscribers to receive full story summaries._
———————————————————————————
* **TOP NEWS**
**“Bomb threat made to House Democrats’ hotel in Illinois” **[DMN]([link removed]) ($)
———————————————————————————
* **#TXLEGE **
**“House Democrats helped Dustin Burrows win the gavel. Their departure from the state marks a pivotal moment for him” ** [Texas Tribune]([link removed])
**“Texas House committee discusses flood bills despite standstill” **[Texas Tribune]([link removed])
**“New bill calls for stricter safety rules at Texas RV parks where over 40 died in Hill Country floods” **[Hou Chron]([link removed]) ($)
———————————————————————————
* **STATE GOVERNMENT **
**“Solicitor General Files Request with Texas Supreme Court as Paxton Vacations in Europe” **[Center Square]([link removed])
———————————————————————————
* **LOCAL GOVERNMENT **
**“Austin considers civilian staff to fill police roles amid officer shortage” **[AAS]([link removed]) ($)
**“Fort Worth council moves to disband DEI programs under Trump pressure” **[DMN]([link removed]) ($)
———————————————————————————
* **TEXANS IN DC **
**“Cornyn presses FBI to help Texas bring back Democrats who left state” **[The Hill]([link removed])
———————————————————————————
* **BUSINESS NEWS **
**“Cedar Park's Firefly reportedly to begin trading tomorrow under ticker "FLY"” **[AAS]([link removed]) ($)
———————————————————————————
* **NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE**
> HOU CHRON: "**Greg Abbott sues to remove Houston lawmaker for leading redistricting quorum break**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: "**Texas Baptist leaders debate implications of Trump's immigration policies**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> DMN: "**Texas dispute highlights nation’s long history of partisan gerrymandering. Is it legal?**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
> THE TEXAN: "**Gov. Abbott Petitions Texas Supreme Court to Vacate Quorum-Breaking House Democratic Leader's Seat**" _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> THE TEXAN: "**‘Bathroom Bill’ Banning Biological Males from Women’s Spaces Passes Texas Senate Committee**" _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "**$1.4B bond on RISD board agenda for Aug. meeting**" _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
> THE TEXAN: "**Texas House Priority Flooding Response Set for Committee Hearing Despite Quorum Break**" _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "**Gov. Abbott sues to remove head of quorum-breaking Texas House Democrats from office**" _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
> THE TEXAN: "**Kerr County Proposes Maintaining Tax Rate with Increased Salaries for County Employees, Officials**" _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> THE TEXAN: "**Texas Senators Take Up Bill Blocking Release of Unsubstantiated Complaints Against Police**" _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> DMN: "**Gov. Greg Abbott asks Texas Supreme Court to remove House Democratic Chair Gene Wu**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
> FWST: "**Commissioner Alisa Simmons opposes closure of Tarrant County Human Services Department**" _[FWST]([link removed])_
> SAEN: "**Cornyn asks FBI to help round up Texas Democrats who fled over redistricting**" _[SAEN]([link removed])_
> DMN: "**Wilonsky: Following City Hall’s threats, Deep Ellum landlord locks out Rodeo Dallas**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "**Richardson City Council, staff discuss budget challenges for upcoming fiscal year**" _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
> KXAN: "**Austin city council signals a tax rate election is coming, but for how much?**" _[KXAN]([link removed])_
> SA REPORT: "**Bexar County puts funding for new Spurs arena on November ballot**" _[SA REPORT]([link removed])_
> KXAN: "**Texas senator calls on FBI to track down state lawmakers**" _[KXAN]([link removed])_
> DMN: "**Texas Christian University announces free tuition for qualifying Texas families**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
> TX TRIB: "**Hundreds of old EV batteries have new jobs in Texas: Stabilizing the power grid**" _[TX TRIB]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: "**New Willis ISD campus has no water a week before school starts**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> SAEN: "**620 days to produce 1 memo on Trump's Qatari jet: Estimate sparks lawsuit**" _[SAEN]([link removed])_
> FWST: "**WalkerHughes Deepens Commitment to Acquired Agencies With Strategic Hire of Alison Heitzmans**" _[FWST]([link removed])_
———————————————————————————
* **EXTRA POINTS**
Last night's Texas sports scores:
> MLB: **Houston** 7, Miami 3
> MLB: **Texas **2, New York 0
Tonight's Texas sports schedule:
> 1:35pm: MLB: New York at **Texas**
> 3:40pm: MLB: **Houston** at Miami
Tomorrow's Texas sports schedule:
None.
**HOUSTON ASTROS**: "Altuve and Diaz homer to lead the Astros over the Marlins 7-3" [AP]([link removed])
**HOUSTON ASTROS**: "Houston Astros send AJ Blubaugh to minors to make room for Spencer Arrigghetti" [Hou Chron ]([link removed])($)
**TEXAS RANGERS**: "Eovaldi allows 1 hit, Tellez single helps Rangers spoil Judge’s return in 2-0 win over Yankees" [AP]([link removed])
**DALLAS COWBOYS**: "Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has not spoken with Micah Parsons following public trade request" [AP]([link removed])
**HOUSTON TEXANS**: "A setback for offensive line as Cam Robinson is injured" [Hou Chron]([link removed]) ($)
**SAN ANTONIO SPURS**: "Spurs fill final two ways slots with familiar faces" [SAEN]([link removed]) ($)
**DALLAS WINGS**: "Wings guard Paige Bueckers says she has a pulled back muscle and will take it ‘day to day’" [AP]([link removed])
**AUSTIN FC**: "Austin FC trades for international roster spot in signal it might add another player" [AAS]([link removed]) ($)
———
You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online:
[link removed]
Caption:
[MustReadTexas.com]([link removed]) – [@MustReadTexas]([link removed])
BY: [@MattMackowiak]([link removed])
———————————————————————————
**WEDNESDAY **| 8/6/205
———————————————————————————
**Good Wednesday afternoon.**
_Thank you for reading as a FREE subscriber._
» Become a PAID subscriber for $7/mo or $70/yr [here]([link removed]) and you will SAVE TIME and be BETTER INFORMED.
———————————————————————————
**AUSTIN NEWSLETTER LAUNCHED**
Are you one of the 100,000+ subscribers to [ATX Pulse]([link removed]), a newsletter that delivers EVERYTHING you NEED TO KNOW about Austin?
View image: ([link removed])
Caption:
_Subscriptions are $5/mo, $50/yr or $199/lifetime here:_ __[ATXpulsepremium.com]([link removed])__.
> Read the most recent FREE subscriber email [here]([link removed]).
> Become a PAID subscriber for $5/mo or $50/yr [here.]([link removed])
———————————————————————————
PRESENTING SPONSOR: **1440 Media**
### The Daily Newsletter for Intellectually Curious Readers
View image: ([link removed])
Follow image link: ([link removed])
Caption:
Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with [1440]([link removed]) – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.
[Join for free today!]([link removed])
———————————————————————————
* **TOP NEWS **
**“Gov. Greg Abbott asks Texas Supreme Court to expel House Democratic leader who left state,” **Texas Tribune's** Eleanor Klibanoff **-- "Gov. **Greg Abbott** on Tuesday asked the Texas Supreme Court to remove Houston Rep. **Gene Wu**, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, from office, an unprecedented escalation in Republicans’ efforts to resume business in the Legislature and advance new congressional maps.
At least 50 House Democrats have left the state to prevent the chamber from obtaining a quorum — the minimum number of members necessary to undertake legislative business — in an effort to delay the passage of new congressional lines that could net five more seats for Republicans. The unusual mid-decade redistricting effort comes at the behest of President **Donald Trump** and his political team, despite [initial reluctance]([link removed]) from Abbott and the majority of Texas’ GOP congressional delegation.
» [BECOME A PAID SUBSCRIBER: $7/mo]([link removed])
Democrats left the state Sunday afternoon, ahead of a Monday vote to advance the bill. Wu, as leader of the House Democrats, announced that “this corrupt special session is over” and vowed to stay out of the state long enough to allow the session's remaining two weeks to run out.
In his legal filing, Abbott argued that amounts to an abandonment of office and is sufficient grounds to have Wu’s seat vacated.
» [BECOME A PAID SUBSCRIBER: $70/yr]([link removed])
“What is at stake here? Nothing less than the future of Texas,” Abbott wrote. “If a small fraction of recalcitrant lawmakers choose to run out the clock today, they can do so for any, and every, Regular or Special Session, potentially bankrupting the State in an attempt to get their way.”
Wu argued that denying a quorum "was not an abandonment of my office," but "a fulfillment of my oath" of office to abide by the Constitution.
"When a governor conspires with a disgraced president to ram through a racist gerrymandered map, my constitutional duty is to not be a willing participant," Wu said in a statement, in which he accused Abbott of seeking to "silence my dissent by removing a duly-elected official from office."
Attorney General **Ken Paxton**, who threatened to file similar legal actions earlier in the day against multiple House Democrats, followed Abbott's emergency petition by sending his own letter to the state Supreme Court hours later, in which he argued that Abbott lacked the authority to request the removal.
Paxton wrote that while he "appreciates the Governor’s passion" for restoring a quorum, state law permits only the attorney general or a local county or district attorney to bring what's known as [a quo warranto proceeding]([link removed]), which seeks a member's removal on the grounds that they have abandoned their office.
In the letter, Paxton said he would take action against the absent legislators if the House continued to lack a quorum on Friday, the deadline set by House Speaker **Dustin Burrows**.
Abbott clarified in a [social media post]([link removed]) later in the night that his filing sought quo warranto through a provision in the Texas Constitution and a separate portion of government code, which he said would give his office the proper authority. He also attached a letter addressed to the state Supreme Court in the post that stated "at least 500 years of common law" made it clear the governor's office could make the filing.
Paxton has previously acknowledged that this would likely be a lengthy and complicated process, telling conservative podcaster Benny Johnson that they’d have to bring individual lawsuits in each district.
“We'd have to go through a court process, and we'd have to file that maybe in districts that are not friendly to Republicans,” Paxton said on Monday. “So it's a challenge because every district would be different.”
If a judge were to find that the seats were vacant, they would be filled through a special election.
The Supreme Court of Texas is entirely Republican, and Chief Justice **Jimmy Blacklock**, [appointed in January]([link removed]), was formerly Abbott’s general counsel. When he appointed Blacklock to the bench in 2018, [Abbott said]([link removed]) he “wanted to make sure that the person I appointed was going to make decisions that I know how they are going to decide.” Blacklock has said that was more a reflection of their shared judicial philosophy.
In 2021, Blacklock [authored an opinion]([link removed]) for the court that said the Texas Constitution enables the possibility of a so-called “quorum break,” although it also allows for consequences to bring members back." [Texas Tribune]([link removed])
———————————————————————————
**FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS HAVE ENDED**_: As of July 11, 2022, we have moved to a paywall for free subscribers. Free subscribers will only receive the top story in their morning email. Free subscribers will need to become paid subscribers to receive full story summaries._
———————————————————————————
* **TOP NEWS**
**“Bomb threat made to House Democrats’ hotel in Illinois” **[DMN]([link removed]) ($)
———————————————————————————
* **#TXLEGE **
**“House Democrats helped Dustin Burrows win the gavel. Their departure from the state marks a pivotal moment for him” ** [Texas Tribune]([link removed])
**“Texas House committee discusses flood bills despite standstill” **[Texas Tribune]([link removed])
**“New bill calls for stricter safety rules at Texas RV parks where over 40 died in Hill Country floods” **[Hou Chron]([link removed]) ($)
———————————————————————————
* **STATE GOVERNMENT **
**“Solicitor General Files Request with Texas Supreme Court as Paxton Vacations in Europe” **[Center Square]([link removed])
———————————————————————————
* **LOCAL GOVERNMENT **
**“Austin considers civilian staff to fill police roles amid officer shortage” **[AAS]([link removed]) ($)
**“Fort Worth council moves to disband DEI programs under Trump pressure” **[DMN]([link removed]) ($)
———————————————————————————
* **TEXANS IN DC **
**“Cornyn presses FBI to help Texas bring back Democrats who left state” **[The Hill]([link removed])
———————————————————————————
* **BUSINESS NEWS **
**“Cedar Park's Firefly reportedly to begin trading tomorrow under ticker "FLY"” **[AAS]([link removed]) ($)
———————————————————————————
* **NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE**
> HOU CHRON: "**Greg Abbott sues to remove Houston lawmaker for leading redistricting quorum break**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: "**Texas Baptist leaders debate implications of Trump's immigration policies**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> DMN: "**Texas dispute highlights nation’s long history of partisan gerrymandering. Is it legal?**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
> THE TEXAN: "**Gov. Abbott Petitions Texas Supreme Court to Vacate Quorum-Breaking House Democratic Leader's Seat**" _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> THE TEXAN: "**‘Bathroom Bill’ Banning Biological Males from Women’s Spaces Passes Texas Senate Committee**" _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "**$1.4B bond on RISD board agenda for Aug. meeting**" _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
> THE TEXAN: "**Texas House Priority Flooding Response Set for Committee Hearing Despite Quorum Break**" _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "**Gov. Abbott sues to remove head of quorum-breaking Texas House Democrats from office**" _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
> THE TEXAN: "**Kerr County Proposes Maintaining Tax Rate with Increased Salaries for County Employees, Officials**" _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> THE TEXAN: "**Texas Senators Take Up Bill Blocking Release of Unsubstantiated Complaints Against Police**" _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> DMN: "**Gov. Greg Abbott asks Texas Supreme Court to remove House Democratic Chair Gene Wu**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
> FWST: "**Commissioner Alisa Simmons opposes closure of Tarrant County Human Services Department**" _[FWST]([link removed])_
> SAEN: "**Cornyn asks FBI to help round up Texas Democrats who fled over redistricting**" _[SAEN]([link removed])_
> DMN: "**Wilonsky: Following City Hall’s threats, Deep Ellum landlord locks out Rodeo Dallas**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "**Richardson City Council, staff discuss budget challenges for upcoming fiscal year**" _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
> KXAN: "**Austin city council signals a tax rate election is coming, but for how much?**" _[KXAN]([link removed])_
> SA REPORT: "**Bexar County puts funding for new Spurs arena on November ballot**" _[SA REPORT]([link removed])_
> KXAN: "**Texas senator calls on FBI to track down state lawmakers**" _[KXAN]([link removed])_
> DMN: "**Texas Christian University announces free tuition for qualifying Texas families**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
> TX TRIB: "**Hundreds of old EV batteries have new jobs in Texas: Stabilizing the power grid**" _[TX TRIB]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: "**New Willis ISD campus has no water a week before school starts**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> SAEN: "**620 days to produce 1 memo on Trump's Qatari jet: Estimate sparks lawsuit**" _[SAEN]([link removed])_
> FWST: "**WalkerHughes Deepens Commitment to Acquired Agencies With Strategic Hire of Alison Heitzmans**" _[FWST]([link removed])_
———————————————————————————
* **EXTRA POINTS**
Last night's Texas sports scores:
> MLB: **Houston** 7, Miami 3
> MLB: **Texas **2, New York 0
Tonight's Texas sports schedule:
> 1:35pm: MLB: New York at **Texas**
> 3:40pm: MLB: **Houston** at Miami
Tomorrow's Texas sports schedule:
None.
**HOUSTON ASTROS**: "Altuve and Diaz homer to lead the Astros over the Marlins 7-3" [AP]([link removed])
**HOUSTON ASTROS**: "Houston Astros send AJ Blubaugh to minors to make room for Spencer Arrigghetti" [Hou Chron ]([link removed])($)
**TEXAS RANGERS**: "Eovaldi allows 1 hit, Tellez single helps Rangers spoil Judge’s return in 2-0 win over Yankees" [AP]([link removed])
**DALLAS COWBOYS**: "Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has not spoken with Micah Parsons following public trade request" [AP]([link removed])
**HOUSTON TEXANS**: "A setback for offensive line as Cam Robinson is injured" [Hou Chron]([link removed]) ($)
**SAN ANTONIO SPURS**: "Spurs fill final two ways slots with familiar faces" [SAEN]([link removed]) ($)
**DALLAS WINGS**: "Wings guard Paige Bueckers says she has a pulled back muscle and will take it ‘day to day’" [AP]([link removed])
**AUSTIN FC**: "Austin FC trades for international roster spot in signal it might add another player" [AAS]([link removed]) ($)
———
You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online:
[link removed]
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