Dade Phelan

This means special session is almost guaranteed. None of this may surprise you — the 2023 legislative session has been marred by controversy and historic moves.

A clipped video shows Phelan slurring after more than 11 hours of floor debate. Phelan's office suggested Ken Paxton made the call for him to resign after learning the AG's office is being investigated.

Bryan Slaton’s expulsion comes just three days after the House General Investigating Committee released a scathing report accusing Slaton of supplying alcohol to his 19-year-old staffer and of having sex with her after giving her alcohol at his Austin apartment.

Under House Bill 1, the chamber’s spending plan, $5 billion would be allocated to increase funding for public and charter schools. That would raise the basic allotment by $50, to $6,210.

The bill needs to clear one last procedural vote in the House before it goes to the Senate for consideration in that chamber. It has the support of Gov. Greg Abbott.

Supported by the Republican-led Senate, the 30 bills announced by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Monday have a high chance of passing.

Last session, in 2021, Phelan appointed 14 Democrats and 21 Republicans as committee chairs. This year only nine Democrats will lead committees.

The Republican governor will serve his term with an expanded Republican majority in the Texas House and Senate, making it unlikely that his priorities will face significant roadblocks.

Appointing Democrats to key leadership roles has made House Speaker Dade Phelan the target of criticism by members of his own party. During Wednesday’s debate on House rules, more than 30 Republican activists sat in the gallery wearing red shirts that said “Ban Democratic Chairs!”

Addressing the freshman class, Phelan asked lawmakers to "not confuse this body with the one in Washington, D.C."