Austin (1080 KRLD) - A walk-out organized by Democrats in the Texas House of Representatives has now lasted five days, preventing the passage of legislation declared priorities by Governor Greg Abbott. More than 50 Democrats traveled from Austin to Washington D.C. Monday to stop a quorum in the House.
"I know there are search warrants out for us, and I'm ready to be arrested," Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) said Friday. "What do you do to a slave if you don't do anything but arrest them when they flee? We fled Texas, and if they want to arrest me, go ahead. I'm ready to be arrested."
Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Grapevine) says the Democrats' walk-out is preventing the state from providing funding for a "13th paycheck" bill that would provide retired teachers with a bonus pension check.
"Our retired teachers are saints. They worked so hard to educate our children. We want to help them," Nelson says. "It is going to be a darn shame if we end without being able to give our retired teachers a 13th check that we now have the money to do."
Some voters in North Texas say both Republicans and Democrats share blame for the impasse.
"I don't give a damn who's a Republican, who's a Democrat, what your religious beliefs are, as far as I'm concerned, it's just one big game," one man in Irving said. "We all are playing politics. The big difference is I don't get paid. They are."
A woman in Irving says she lost her job during the pandemic, and she believes lawmakers should not receive their salary or daily stipend if they are not working.
"They should start living off the same money they ask all of us to live off of to get that feeling," she says.
Texas lawmakers will continue to receive their $600 monthly salary and $221 daily stipend during the session.
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