Impeachment reform and assessing the state’s runoff system are two issues in Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s second round of interim charges to the Texas Senate.
The new slate was delivered to seven standing committees on Tuesday. The most notable goes to the State Affairs Committee, reading, “Evaluate the constitutional and statutory impeachment procedures in our state [and] make recommendations to ensure a fair and transparent process.”
Immediately after the Texas Senate’s Court of Impeachment acquitted Attorney General Ken Paxton last year, Patrick delivered a scathing address, admonishing the House and its leader Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) for the process conducted therein.
In that speech, Patrick called for reforming the process by requiring witness testimony under oath in the House — witnesses testified under oath during the actual trial but not the initial investigation — and establishing a time requirement for members to evaluate the charges.
Another item he called for is eliminating the automatic suspension from the office after initial impeachment. The Senate is expected to quickly adopt those and other reforms to the process next session, but its path in the House is likely more contentious should Phelan retain the gavel.
How that plays out will be among the most fascinating storylines to follow in the 89th Legislature.
Another item for State Affairs includes an evaluation of the state’s primary runoff system. If no candidate eclipses 50 percent in the primary, the top two candidates move onto a winner-take-all matchup.
Part of Patrick’s item is fairly standard: “Study the prerequisites, timing, and efficiency of runoff elections. Make recommendations to increase the efficiency and lower the costs of runoff elections.”
One frustration with runoffs is the length of time between them and the primary; this year, the difference was nearly three months.
But the second half of Patrick’s intimates a substantial opportunity for reform.
“Examine the 50 percent vote threshold to avoid a runoff, particularly when four or more candidates are running for the same office. Report whether the vote percentage threshold should be lowered in some instances,” he wrote.
The Senate District 30 primary race — Patrick’s biggest project of the primary other than ousting Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) — went to a runoff with four candidates in the running. The eventual winner and de facto next senator, Patrick’s endorsed candidate Brent Hagenbuch, was pushed to a runoff by Jace Yarbrough. It was a very costly race and yielded the expected result.
Should the victory threshold for a four-person race be lowered, it will save the state, political donors, and candidates loads of money and time.
The rest of the charges include studies of:
Non-compete agreements
Support for victims of sexual assault
Retail theft
Financial crimes
Improvement of K-12 college pathways
School enrollment trends
Incentives for the movie industry
Protection for citizens during emergencies
Further curtailing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs in higher education
Curriculum accessibility in higher education
Lottery courier services
Unmasking protesters
Preventing noncitizens from voting
Beverages with THC
Facilitating public trust in government
Addressing homelessness
Auditing elections
The first round of interim charges was issued back in April.
“When I issued my first round of interim charges, I indicated there may be a second list to come later,” Patrick said, announcing the newest slate. “Following completion of hearings, committees will submit reports with their specific findings and policy recommendations before December 1, 2024.”
“At the beginning of the 89th Legislative Session in January 2025, the Senate will hit the ground running to ensure the priorities of the conservative majority of Texans are accomplished, including school choice, continued property tax relief, and strengthening our power grid.”
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