August 10, 2025
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
After warning Democrat lawmakers to return to the Texas Capitol by Friday or face legal consequences, Attorney General Ken Paxton has followed through by filing a lawsuit in the Texas Supreme Court seeking to declare the seats of 13 Democrat House members vacant.
In the petition, Paxton argues that by fleeing the state and refusing to attend the ongoing special session in protest of a congressional redistricting proposal, the members have abandoned their offices. He cites their own public statements confirming the intent to block legislative business as evidence of “willful refusal to perform their duties.”
“These cowards deliberately sabotaged the constitutional process and violated the oath they swore to uphold,” said Paxton. “Their out-of-state rebellion cannot go unchecked, and the business of Texas must go on.”
The 13 Democrats named in the petition include State Reps. Ron Reynolds, Vikki Goodwin, Gina Hinojosa, James Talarico, Lulu Flores, Mihaela Plesa, Suleman Lalani, Chris Turner, Ana-Maria Ramos, Jessica Gonzalez, John Bucy, Gene Wu, and Christina Morales. Sources tell Texas Scorecard similar action could be taken against other absent Democrats in the coming days.
The Texas Constitution requires 100 of the 150 members, or two-thirds, to be present in order to conduct business. On Friday, only 95 were in attendance.
During a brief meeting of the House Friday afternoon, Speaker Dustin Burrows noted that he and Paxton were working to domesticate civil arrest warrants in Illinois and were in contact with law enforcement there. He also stated that 30 percent of each absent member’s monthly operating budget will now be withheld, and their paychecks must be collected in-person at the Capitol rather than by direct deposit.
The House is set to reconvene on Monday. With the special session ending August 19, Gov. Greg Abbott has already signaled he will call another session if Democrats don’t return.
Featured
Just hours after Attorney General Ken Paxton filed suit against Robert Francis “Beto” O’Rourke and his group Powered by People, a Tarrant County district court issued a temporary restraining order stopping what Paxton called an “unlawful, deceptive financial influence scheme” to bankroll runaway Democrat lawmakers who fled the state to break quorum.
Real Texans
In this week's edition of REAL TEXANS, Michael visits with Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick about her bid to be the GOP's candidate for comptroller. They talk about her background and the importance of the job.
New interviews with REAL TEXANS every Sunday!
State
Texas Officials Seek To Enforce Arrest Warrants on Runaway Democrats Across State Lines
Attorney General Paxton is asking Illinois to uphold Texas’ warrants.
Texas Students Heading Back to School Phone-Free
Students’ personal laptops remain a gray area in the new state law banning use of communication devices on K-12 campuses.
Texas Casino Interests Prepare Comeback Attempt
Texas Sands has been sitting on more than $9 million in cash ahead of the elections.
Local
Commissioner Ramsey Seeks Removal of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo
Following a vote to censure Hidalgo, Ramsey said, “It is time to consider replacing Judge Hidalgo.”
Former Austin Elementary School Teacher Gets 71 Years For 20 Child Sex Crimes
Kevin Abeyta taught art at Austin ISD’s Campbell Elementary.
Houston ISD Boasts Major Academic Gains Ahead of TEA Report
According to preliminary ratings released by Superintendent Mike Miles, the district now has zero F-rated schools.
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