Texas House Committee Won’t Act on Alleged Threats

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – A House investigative committee has declined to take action in an inquiry into allegations that allies of Republican Texas House Speaker Joe Straus threatened to use redistricting to punish his political adversaries. Rep. Chuck Hopson of Jacksonville, chairman of the House General Investigating and Ethics Committee, said Tuesday the committee did not have sufficient evidence of misconduct. The committee spent more than three hours behind closed door questioning lawmakers involved. Rep. Larry Phillips, a high ranking member of the committee, was identified as the source of the threats. Phillips said he would step aside from his official duties during the proceedings.

The probe is getting under way as Straus, considered too moderate by some, faces a challenge from two conservative Republicans who want his job when the Legislature reconvenes in January. Mineola Republican Representative Bryan Hughes is sticking by his story. Hughes says a threat was made in a phone conversation with Phillips — but Phillips says he never made such a threat.