Rep. Larry Phillips identified in ethics inquiry involving speaker's race

Rep. Larry Phillips, R-Sherman, the vice chairman of the House committee charged with investigating ethics complaints, was identified today as the House leadership member who allegedly warned a colleague that lawmakers who fail to support Speaker Joe Straus for re-election could face retribution through redistricting.

Rep. Charles L. "Chuck" Hopson, chairman of the House General Investigating and Ethics Committee, made the disclosure before the committee went into closed executive session to discuss the allegation.  Phillips recused himself as vice chairman of the panel and was participating in the closed session. He was not immediately available for comment.

Hopson ordered the inquiry after Rep. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, released a statement saying that a member of Straus' leadership team warned him that members who fail to support Straus in the speaker's race could be punished when lawmakers redraw legislative districts next year.

Hughes, who withdrew his support for Straus in making the allegation, did not identify the member and turned the name over to Straus, who in turned gave it to Hopson. Straus, a San Antonio Republican who faces two opponents in his bid for a second term as speaker, has denounced the allegations as "outrageous."

House members will choose a speaker after the 82nd Legislature convenes on Jan. 11. Conservative groups are waging a high-profile campaign to oust the incumbent speaker, saying the 150-member House needs more conservative leadership after Republicans broadened their majority by picking up 22 seats in the Nov. 2 election.

-- Dave Montgomery   

Comments

[Michael]

When are politicians going to stop being corrupt, self-serving beaurocrats who don'tcare about ANYTHING but their own hides?! The answer: We've got to keep OUR eyes and ears glued to their actions and most importantly USE YOUR VOTE as wisely as possible! KEEP THE HEAT ON!!!!

[Jane_Galt]

It is disheartening (but not surprising) to find out that Texas politicians are just like Washington politicians . . . we need to continue to clean all houses of slime -- keep cleaning every election cycle . . . and clean and clean and clean.

[Jack Carstairs]

Let's face it: Straus is a Democrat. Elected with Democrat votes.
A snake.
Kill snakes. Stomp 'em

[Kenny G]

Odds these goofballs will focus on real solutions to the problems of this state such as Transportation and a realistic, fair mechanism to fund public schools......about zilch.

[wayne sheppard]

Just another reason why Straus needs to be replaced. Paxton is a better choice.

[John Melvin Dodd]

I know Bryan Hughes to be a man of integrity and I have complete confidence in his report. I heard on the news today that Mr. Hopson said there wasn't enough evidence. There is certainly enough evidence for me to strongly encourage the 99 Republican members of the House to meet in caucus and select their candidate for Speaker, and that man should not be Joe Straus, who was elected in 2009 with the support of 65 Democrats.

[James - Longdrycreek Ranch - Texas Panhandle, Formerly of Garland]

Strass is Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer and for life minded Democrats. Strass needs to be defeated because he is not a Republican but a RINO from San Antonio.
A beautiful city; a corrupt set of politicians, Dems and Republicans.
Out with the dirty water.

[TexasCattleCo]

The Republicans are already fighting over power that they just received during the election. Texas has more important issues than the big egos of these elected officials. Two years more and we can change the diapers. Good government or goodbye.

[Patrick O.Henry]

Now Straus appts Larry Phillips to head of Transporation Committee? That's like appointing Charlie B. Rangel to head the another ethics committee.. So much for Staus "getting the message" - this is corruption playing out before the eyes of all Texans. Don't let this one stand!