Texas House committee fines Democrats nearly $423,000 for absconding

(The Center Square) – The Texas House Committee on Administration on Friday voted to fine House Democrats who absconded during special legislative sessions last year. After a closed door hearing, the committee voted 6-5 along party lines to fine 53 House Democrats $8,354 each.

The decision came eight months after Texas Democrats left Texas to meet with the Democratic governors of Illinois and California to look for ways to oppose a Congressional redistricting effort underway in Texas, The Center Square reported. By Aug. 3, more than 50 House Democrats left the state, saying the “special session is over,” effectively ending legislative business during a first special session that had been called by Gov. Greg Abbott.

House Speaker Dustin Burrows authorized warrants for absconding Democrats’...