Want to stop governing in order to stop a bill? In Texas, that’ll stop you from getting paid.
On Friday, Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed funding for the Texas Legislature after the state House Democratic caucus walked out to avoid a vote on an election integrity bill late last month. The move, first reported by the Texas Tribune, would pause all funding for the legislature, its staffers and its agencies.
Abbott said in a statement that “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.”
And that’s the thing — while the Democrats’ walkout may have temporarily stalled the bill, which would have ended 24-hour drive-in voting and temporary outdoor polling places, inter alia, it’ll be added to a special legislative session later this year, along with bail reform legislation championed by Abbott and the GOP.