Texas legislator denies targeting foes of House Speaker Joe Straus

AUSTIN – The unnamed House member whom Rep. Bryan Hughes accused of planning to take revenge on opponents of Speaker Joe Straus turned out to be the vice chairman of the House investigating committee that addressed the complaint Tuesday.
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Phillips identified as lawmaker who spoke to Hughes

The House Investigating and Ethics committee almost immediately broke into executive session to discuss allegations against the House Speaker Joe Straus, R- San Antonio.


Before the committee broke into executive session, committee chair Rep. Chuck Hopson identified Rep. Larry Phillips, vice chair of the committee, as the lawmaker who spoke with Rep. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola alleging inappropriate behavior from the Speaker's camp.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/eSoXwI

Straus: Hughes should ID the caller

Speaker Joe Straus says Rep. Bryan Hughes should identify which member of Straus' "leadership team" supposedly told him last weekend that redistricting maps are being prepared to punish lawmakers not on the speaker's list of supporters.

Garrett with an update: http://dallasne.ws/boOXHb

One member bolts from Straus, cites strong arm

Rep. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, has taken his name off Speaker Joe Straus' list of supporters, citing a weekend phone call in which an unnamed Straus lieutenant allegedly described how redistricting would be used to punish House members who don't back the current speaker.


Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/9Ppz4P