10 June 8 - 14, 2023 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents down on drag performances and diversity, equity and inclusion policies. But much of the fun (if you can call it that) of each session is when lawmakers make news — not for the content of their bills, but for the content of their character. Let’s look back at five of the most, shall we say, memorable moments featuring North Texas Republican lawmakers this year. Slaton Expelled As an ultraconservative, pro-family-values member of the Texas House of Representa- tives, Bryan Slaton was good at grabbing at- tention. He introduced a “Texit” proposal aimed at allowing voters to decide if the state should get divorced from the rest of the country. He tore into drag queens, whom he accused of being “perverted adults.” Plot twist: The married father and for- mer youth minister was expelled from the House in May after an investigation found that he’d had sex with an aide. He also purportedly gave the 19-year-old intern alcohol. Leach Trolled Speaking of Slaton, another North Texas lawmaker was slapped with a lawsuit in April after he blasted the aforementioned secession bill on social media. State Rep. Jeff Leach, a Plano Republican, was sued by an apparently pro-Texit Parker County woman with whom he squabbled on Twitter. But a far more fun moment came in the form of a good old-fashioned trolling. Leach is chair of the House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence. In March, during a hearing on an anti-trans bill, Leach called out names for the next speakers. Among those who’d signed up were “Connie Lingus,” “Holden Midick” and “Anita Dickinme.” Laughter ensued when Leach called out the fake names. “All right. You got your ... moment,” Leach said. “I hope you enjoy it.” Patterson Mocks Teacher Raises The Observer has written quite a bit about the Texas teacher shortage spurred, in part, by low pay. So, what does this North Texas lawmaker do when faced with the prospect of increasing teacher salaries? Frisco state Rep. Jared Patterson mocked the idea of educator raises during a debate on the House floor last month. One particularly ambitious measure would have given teachers a $15,000 boost. A video clip shows Patterson asking Democratic state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, who had proposed bumping a $3,800 per-teacher raise up to $10,000, whether he believed that educators weren’t “worth that extra $5,000.” Martinez Fischer explained that he’d floated the lower raise in the hope that Republican lawmakers would actually go for it. Patterson then pressed his Democratic colleague as to whether he would support $30,000 or $40,000 pay raises for teachers. Martinez Fischer indicated he would and asked, “Are you going to sign it?” “No, we’ll just vote it down,” Patterson said. “Thank you, have a good day.” “Thank you for not caring about teach- ers,” Martinez Fischer replied. Paxton vs. Phelan House Speaker Dade Phelan was accused in May of wielding his gavel while intoxicated. Attorney General Ken Paxton, who lives in North Texas, then called on the slurring speaker to resign. But Paxton has dealt with his own fair share of legal troubles, including allegations of bribery and abuse of office, which he’s de- nied. And it just so happens that right around the time that he came with guns blazing for Phelan, a House investigative committee revealed a probe into Paxton. He now faces 20 articles of impeachment and has been suspended from his duties as he awaits his Senate trial. Kyle Glenn/Unsplash The regular session of the Legislature is done. Now comes a special session. Unfair Park from p8 We bring sophistication with a twist to the metaphysical and holistic markets with products, classes and services. We have locations in Dallas, Carrollton & Frisco. www.soultopia.guru psychic Hotline Now available: 888-415-6208 Visit us: 900 W Davis St, Dallas • 3414 Midcourt Rd #100, Carrollton 7004 Lebanon Rd, STE 106, Frisco, Texas 75034 Best of Dallas 2020 awarD wiNNer