AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- As the coronavirus pandemic drags on - and a statewide disaster declaration has lasted for more than three months - some Texas legislators are calling on Gov. Greg Abbott to prioritize reforms to the state's disaster laws.
Members of the Texas Freedom Caucus sent a letter to Abbott on Thursday, joining other lawmakers in calling for a special session of the Texas Legislature, and to put reforms to the Texas Disaster Act on that session call, or as an emergency item during the next regular session in 2021.
"On March 19, you declared a statewide disaster and invoked your authority under the Texas Disaster Act of 1975," the letter says. "Although Texans were under the initial impression that this disaster would last but two weeks, nearly four months have passed. It is hard to see an end in sight, and we are not certain that the last order under this disaster has been written."
Under Texas law, only the governor can call a special session of the Legislature. So far, Abbott has resisted calls to do so during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The letter goes on to outline two potential reforms. One is a time limit on gubernatorial disaster declarations, requiring the Legislature to be called into session after a certain number of days. Another proposal would prohibit state agencies from suspending or revoking business or professional licenses due to a disaster declaration.
"Reforms such as these will allow all 181 members to have a say and a vote for their district in a crisis of this magnitude, and us to do our duty to guard against overreach and protect liberty for all," the letter says.
