[HOTAIR] Governor Abbott threatened to defund the Texas Legislature after Texas Democrats walked out of the legislative session rather than take a vote on election reform laws. When they broke quorum and shut down the session, Abbott said that if politicians weren’t going to do their jobs, they shouldn’t be paid. Friday Abbott made good on that threat.The elections bill was a top priority for the governor during this year’s session. Texas Democrats decided to cut and run, breaking quorum, instead of voting on Senate Bill 7. They knew that the Republicans had the votes to pass the legislation — both the Texas House and the Texas Senate hold Republican majorities. By breaking quorum when they did, Texas Democrats also stopped bail legislation reform, another of the governor’s priorities. Rather than do their jobs and vote, Democrats walked out, something that has rarely been done in the past. It is a cowardly move, not a move exhibiting strength.
At that time, at the end of May, Abbott tweeted out his intention to hold politicians accountable and said he would veto Article 10 in the budget which funds the legislative branch. On May 31 he tweeted: "I will veto Article 10 of the budget passed by the legislature. Article 10 funds the legislative branch. No pay for those who abandon their responsibilities. Stay tuned."
Texas has a biennial legislature which means it meets every other year. On Friday Governor Abbott signed the two-year state budget. He touted the budget as fiscally conservative. "It includes no new taxes and a budget surplus of more than $1 billion."