Democrats ask Texas Supreme Court to override Abbott veto

[mystery-ak]

Democrats ask Texas Supreme Court to override Abbott veto
By Lexi Lonas - 06/25/21 01:46 PM EDT

Texas Democrats are asking the Texas Supreme Court to override Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R) veto for funding to the state legislature.

Democratic House members and legislative staff put together a petition for a writ of mandamus which included the signatures of more than 50 Democrats, state employees and the Texas AFL-CIO, The Texas Tribune reported.

The petition, which was filed Friday, says blocking funding is unconstitutional and Abbott violated the separation of powers between the branches.

Abbott vetoed the funding in the state budget allocated to the state legislature after Democrats walked out of a session in May to prevent the passage of a voting bill.

After his veto, Abbot said, “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.”

Republicans even questioned the move saying it is not just harming Democratic lawmakers.

more
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/560268-democrats-ask-texas-supreme-court-to-override-abbott-veto

[PeteS in CA]

Does the Texas constitution specify that the legislature be funded? With a budgeting schedule? If not, the TSC may not have the authority to set aside Abbott's veto.

[Elderberry]

Texas House Democrats sue Gov. Abbott over defunding Legislature

Spectrum Local News by Karina Kling 6/25/2021

https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/austin/news/2021/06/25/texas-democrats-ask-texas-supreme-supreme-court-to-block-gov--abbott-s-veto

Abbott has indicated he will give lawmakers the chance to reinstate the money once they return for the special session.

Abbott’s office did not immediately return a request seeking comment.

In his veto proclamation, Abbott wrote: “Funding should not be provided for those who quit their job early, leaving the state with unfinished business and exposing taxpayers to higher costs for an additional legislative session.”

The vetoed funding only applies to the next budget cycle that begins in September, meaning paychecks for Capitol staffers will continue at least until then. Lawmakers make just $600 a month in Texas — where the Legislature only meets for five months every other year — and many have well-paying careers back home. But Democrats say the veto puts at risk legislative staff whose jobs are their main source of income.

It was unclear when the court might take up the lawsuit.

The full 133-page petition along with other information can be found below:

House Democrats' petition to block Abbott veto by Ashley Valenzuela on Scribd

[AARguy]

After being born and raised in New York, and  a military career where I lived in Virginia, Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Missouri, Oklahoma, California, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and bunches of places overseas, I can say without reservation that we should all fall on our knees and thank God for Governor Abbott.