Samuel Case , FISM News
Last Friday Texas Governor Greg Abbott vetoed a portion of the state budget that would fund the Texas Legislature, along with its staff and agencies. Abbott’s move comes a form of retaliation against Texas House Democrats who staged a walk out in middle of vote for state voting reform bill back in May.
FISM News reported at the time; “almost all the Democratic representatives slowly left the legislative body and building before a final vote was taken. This meant that no resolution to the vote was achieved and the Texas House will have to re-assemble in a special session to finalize the vote.”
Abbott issued the following statement on the veto:
Texans don’t run from a legislative fight, and they don’t walk away from unfinished business. Funding should not be provided for those who quit their job early, leaving their state with unfinished business and exposing taxpayers to higher costs for an additional legislative session. I therefore object to and disapprove of these appropriations.
However, the legislature may be able to salvage funding, with the Texas Tribune reporting; “The biennial budget at hand covers the fiscal year beginning Sept. 1. If lawmakers are back in Austin for a special session before then, they could pass a supplemental budget to restore that funding.”