This morning at 9:00 CDT, Governor Greg Abbott issued the list of topics which the Texas Legislature may consider during the first special session of the 87th Texas Legislature which begins tomorrow at 10:00 am.
The Texas Legislature meets in regular session for 140 days every odd numbered year beginning on the second Tuesday in January. Additional “special sessions” of 30-days duration are allowed by the constitution. Only the Governor can call a special session and the Governor can designate which topics are to be considered.
Governor Abbott was very displeased with the House Democrats who walked out of the Chamber at the 11th hour on the last night of the regular session. Their absence broke quorum and prevented SB7, the election integrity bill or voting suppression bill, depending on your perspective, from passing. The Governor listed Election Integrity as one of the items for the special along with these 10 other issues:
• BAIL REFORM to protect the public from criminals released on bail
• BORDER SECURITY provide additional funding and enlarge the mission
• SOCIAL MEDIA CENSORSHIP prevent social media sites from oversight of content posted
• ARTICLE X FUNDING restore funds to operate the legislature which he vetoed
• FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION public education on family violence
• YOUTH SPORTS preventing transgender girls from competing in high school girls’ sports
• ABORTION-INDUCING DRUGS restrict distribution of drugs like the morning after pill
• THIRTEENTH CHECK a bonus payment for people on the teacher’s retirement system
• CRITICAL RACE THEORY restricting public schools ability to teach historical systematic racism
• APPROPRIATIONS for property tax relief, the Texas Foster Care System and protection from cyber threats.
Read the Governor’s full declaration by clicking this link.