Here now with a look back at the week in Texas politics is Ayan Mittra of the Texas Tribune.
In some ways, it’s been the week of Ken Paxton. The state’s attorney general made a huge splash with his legal opinion on daily fantasy sports. In an interview on ESPN, Paxton says, “We’re not… We haven’t taken any action at all.” Mittra says Paxton has only issued a non-binding opinion.
“Theoretically something could happen down the line,” he says, “but at this point Paxton is stating how he’s interpreting Texas law.”
The Houston Chronicle called on Paxton to resign, saying his legal problems are distracting. On top of the investigation of securities fraud, he also faces questions about a land sale in North Texas involving other officials, the editorial states. Mittra says a key zoning change on that land is at issue. The presiding judge in the securities fraud case has appointed special prosecutors to look at the land deal case.
“Paxton’s attorney has said there’s nothing specifically about Paxton that they’re looking at, they’re just looking at the deal,” Mittra says. “But who knows, it’s early. It just more headlines taking Paxton away from the job he was elected to do.”
