Sneaky severance pay a no-no at state agencies

Top Texas legislative leaders clearly don’t like what they’re seeing about state agency heads misusing “emergency leave” to give severance pay to departing employees.

State Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, branched out from the agenda at a meeting of her Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday to ask Legislative Budget Board representatives how lawmakers might crack down on the practice.

House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, said he’s also worried.

“The House is concerned that some state agencies are abusing a personnel provision that should be reserved for very specific circumstances,” said a statement from Straus.

At least three top officials who left Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office received emergency leave, months of extra pay, after they resigned. The practice has been reported at other state agencies also, including that of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller.

Emergency leave is supposed to be granted by agency heads only for good cause, not for severance pay.

This story was originally published May 18, 2016 at 6:06 PM with the headline "Sneaky severance pay a no-no at state agencies."