Lawmakers write the state’s two-year budget.
Paxton told lawmakers paying the settlement would avoid costly litigation that could drag on for years. But House Speaker Dade Phelan publicly opposed the payment, saying it is not a proper use of taxpayer funds. The Legislature is poised to block the funding and any other whistleblower claims by the agency.for legislative approval of settlement funds. If funding is denied, the case could return to court.
on whether to remove him from office. Two-thirds of the Senate would have to approve removal. It’s not clear whether Paxton’s wife, McKinney Sen. Angela Paxton, would participate in the proceeds.The House can begin impeachment proceedings while it is in session. But once they adjourn, the House can only come back for impeachment proceedings by proclamation of the governor, a majority of the House or by the speaker if petitioned in writing by 50 or more House members, according to state law.
The Senate may continue “as a court of impeachment” beyond the end of the session, or it can adjourn as set a future date to hold those proceedings, according to state law. That chamber also must meet additional benchmarks to come back into session if it already adjourned.