A now-former teacher in Houston Independent School District who is accused of “touching and looking at several girl students in their private parts” received an additional felony charge during a court appearance on Monday.
Manuel Edgardo Ponce, 45, who taught at Sutton Elementary School, now faces six felony charges for sexually abusing several young students.
The bylaws of the Republican Caucus stipulate that members must support the caucus nominee on the floor of the House.
With Phelan stepping aside, establishment forces are pushing State Rep. Dustin Burrows for the position.
Grassroots Republicans are renewing calls to ban Democrat committee chairs.
The ability, granted by lawmakers in 2017, was taken away from the attorney general after a 2021 ruling by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.