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March 28, 2024      10:48 AM

Texas Ethics Commission looks to require disclosure for paid influencer ads on social media

The latest via Mark McCaig at the Texas Voice:

Last week, the Texas Ethics Commission took the first step in adopting rulemaking that would require social media influencers to include political advertising disclosures when they are paid to post political advertising online.

While the Texas Election Code generally requires paid political advertising that appears on an internet website to include a disclosure statement that includes the name of the person who paid for the advertising, current Texas Ethics Commission rules carve out some exceptions to this.

Under current Texas Ethics Commission Rule 26.1, a disclosure statement is not required on political advertising posted online if the person posting or re-posting the political advertising “is not an officeholder, candidate, or political committee” and “did not make an expenditure exceeding $100 in a reporting period for political advertising beyond the basic cost of hardware messaging software and bandwidth.”

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March 27, 2024      12:20 PM

Video: Rep. Burns points out that Gov. Abbott is attacking him on guns by pointing to a bill that Abbott himself signed into law

The GOP incumbent is fact checking Abbott on a new level. The ad below started before the March 5 primary but Burns' opponent continues to promote Abbott's false comments during the runoff.

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March 26, 2024      3:37 PM

Texas AG Ken Paxton reaches deal to end securities fraud charges after 9 years

Paxton will be required to pay restitution just under $300,000, complete 100 hours of community service in Collin County, and take 15 hours of legal education classes.

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March 26, 2024      3:30 PM

US House Ethics Committee confirms an investigation of Rep. Troy Nehls of Fort Bend

Nehls said in a writtten statement that he looks "forward to assisting the House Committee on Ethics inquiry into my campaign’s finances." The committee itself did not specify that the investigation centered around finances

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March 25, 2024      5:27 PM

Daniel Averitt, son of former Sen. Kip Averitt, passed away

Daniel Averitt was only 32. The senator's been heartened to hear from so many in the commmunity over the weekend

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March 25, 2024      3:45 PM

Speaker Phelan creates Texas House Select Committee on Protecting Texas LNG Exports

Rep. Patterson, Chair. Members: Brooks Landgraf, Christian Manuel, Mary Ann Perez, Cody Vasut

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March 25, 2024      12:25 PM

Legislative Democrats in red states including Texas pin electoral hopes on possible backlash to abortion bans and more

“These anti-education, anti-accountability Republicans are out of step with the people of Texas – many of whom have seen the rightward drift of Texas Republicans for a very long time.”

Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Trey Martinez Fischer joined fellow Democratic legislative leaders from red states to discuss electoral opportunities ahead of the 2024 vote.

He joined Montana Rep. Zooey Zephyr, Tennessee Rep. Justin Jones, Iowa Democratic Leader Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, Oklahoma Democratic Leader Rep. Cyndi Munson and Marilyn Lands, a special election candidate for a closely watched Alabama House seat.

Each highlighted what they called described as extreme Republican legislation that would lead to electoral blowback as soon as the Alabama election on Tuesday then onto November.

The call was organized by the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, which focuses on electing Democrats to state legislatures.

The rest of the story, subscribers only

By James Russell

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March 22, 2024      11:20 PM

Remembering former Sen. Carl Parker, who passed away in Southeast Texas

"There are no words to summarize who Senator Carl Parker is and was to me and to this state. What I will say is ever since I was an eight year old boy Senator Parker has always been my giant. I'm blessed to have known him," said Rep. Christian Manuel, D-Nederland

Via KDFM TV in Beaumont-Port Arthur:

Carl A. Parker, one of the most powerful figures in the history of the Texas Legislature, a man who fought passionately for improvements in education, and whose work touched the lives of people in his hometown of Port Arthur and across Texas, died peacefully late today at his home. He was 89 years old.

Larry Olbekson with Clayton Thompson Funeral Home tells KFDM they'll be handling the arrangements. He left the family's home tonight and expects to meet with them early next week to work on the arrangements.

Parker is survived by his wife, Dr. Beverly Parker, his son Allen, with whom he practiced law for many years, two daughters and many other relatives.

Parker was born August 6, 1934. He graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1958.

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March 22, 2024      2:55 PM

Statesman: Paxton could have criminal charges dropped in Houston

Special prosecutors would excuse security fraud charges for community service and as much as $400,000 in restitution, Statesman reports

The scoop via Tony Plohetski and Hogan Gore at the Austin American-Statesman:

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is nearing a resolution to the 9-year-old securities fraud charges that have dogged his tenure as the state's top attorney through a special agreement with prosecutors, the American-Statesman has learned. Under a draft agreement, prosecutors would dismiss felony charges against Paxton if he successfully completes the terms of the deal, according to three sources familiar with the negotiations.

The sources, with knowledge of the discussions between Paxton's legal team and prosecutor Brian Wice, a Houston attorney appointed to handle the case, said the terms could include community service, advanced legal education classes and a six-figure restitution, among other possible punishment. Two sources said the restitution could be between $300,000 and $400,000.

Under the conditions, Paxton likely would not have to formally enter a plea but must not violate any law for an extended period. Paxton, a 61-year-old Republican, could have faced up to 99 years in prison if convicted. Such agreements generally do not require a judge's approval, underscoring the wide authority that Texas prosecutors have to resolve cases.

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March 21, 2024      5:05 PM

Oliverson announcement signals to some top Republicans that Lt. Gov. Patrick is ramping up his effort to select the next Texas House Speaker

Rep. Oliverson, who shares a political consultant with Patrick, says he has not talked to the Senate’s presiding officer about this; Speaker Phelan says the timing is “inappropriate” and “I know who his neighbor is. His neighbor is Dan Patrick.”

Saying he will prioritize "school choice" and elimination of Democratic Chairmen, Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, on Thursday announced he is running for Speaker of the Texas House. With Speaker Dade Phelan in a runoff for reelection in Southeast Texas, other names have of course already been floated as potential speaker candidates.

But Oliverson’s moves Thursday took many House members by surprise, leading one to tell Quorum Report that “this feels kind of out of left field.” Some Republican members, though, including Speaker Phelan, agreed with your humble correspondent that it’s not difficult to figure out who would be behind Oliverson’s sudden candidacy.

Oliverson, who has the same political consultant as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and lives 30 feet from the Texas Senate's presiding officer in the Houston area, told reporters in Austin that he has not spoken with Patrick about this.

During a morning news conference, Oliverson laid out his case.

The rest of the story, subscribers only

By Scott Braddock

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March 21, 2024      10:02 AM

Rep. Oliverson announces for Texas House Speaker

“The dysfunction in the Texas House in 2023 highlights a need for change in leadership," said Oliverson, who shares a political consultant with Lt. Gov. Patrick

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