Tuesday’s 147-0 voteapproved the chamber’s first expulsion of a member in nearly a century.
It came one day after Slaton resigned effective immediately, without acknowledging misconduct.
“We are here because a 45-year-old member took advantage of and abused his power over his subordinate, teenage staffer,” Rep. Ann Johnson, D-Houston said before the vote.
It was necessary to expel Slaton despite his resignation because the Texas Constitution has a “holdover provision” that says an officer of the state should continue to perform duties until a qualified successor is seated, said Junction GOP Rep. Andrew Murr, head of the House’s ethics and investigatory panel.
“A resigned member remains a ‘holdover’ in office, meaning that member still receives benefits of office” such as salary and per diem payments, “until a successor is qualified,” Murr said in a memo to colleagues.
“Accordingly, expulsion is the only method to immediately end a member’s service in the Legislature.”
Speaker Dade Phelan, who had withheld comment, broke his silence after the vote. Near the end of the roll call, Phelan said “Show the speaker voting aye.”
“Expulsion of a member of this body is a rare and serious action,” Phelan, R-Beaumont, later said from the dais. “Mr. Slaton’s predatory behavior merits such a consequence.”
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