Texas lawmakers are meeting in Austin today for another 30-day special session of the Texas Legislature. Democrats from the Texas House of Representatives who went to Washington, D. C. to prevent a quorum have said they intend to remain there to prevent a vote on an elections bill supported by Texas Republicans and Governor Greg Abbott.
The elections measure is one of 17 issues the legislature could take up. The call issued by Governor Abbott also includes bail reform, additional payments for retired teachers, and legislation specifically relating to quorum requirements.
The first special session ended on Friday. The Texas House was not able to pass any bills due to the lack of a quorum. Democrats in the Texas Senate have remained in the state and that chamber is expected to hold committee hearings this weekend.
Governor Abbott had previously vetoed funding for the legislature in the next state budget, which would mean lawmakers and their staffers would stop getting paid when the state's new fiscal year starts on September 1st.
However, on Friday, Governor Abbott issued a statement saying that there would be money for the legislative branch through the end of September.
"Funding is being temporarily restored for Legislative staff that will be necessary to pass critical legislation on the call, including COVID-19 funding for healthcare, strategies for public school education during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing property tax relief, funding our retired teachers, protecting our foster children, and securing the border," Gov. Abbott said.
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