It’s time for the week that was in Texas politics with The Texas Tribune’s Editor-in-Chief Emily Ramshaw.
The deadline for Gov. Greg Abbott to sign or veto bills from this year’s legislative session was last Sunday. Before the deadline, Ramshaw says Abbott unexpectedly vetoed several bills, including one which would have decriminalized prostitution for minors. Abbott also vetoed bills which tried to prohibit guns in secure areas of airports and required children under two years old to ride in car seats.
Ramshaw says Abbott also controversially vetoed a bill related to cyberbullying.
“Basically, [Abbott] said the bill went too far and might actually criminalize people who attack elected officials on social media,” Ramshaw says. “Abbott was maybe not looking out for his own best interests but decided to veto that bill.”
The Texas Tribune and the University of Texas released a series of polls this week concerning Texas voters. According to the polls, Ramshaw says immigration and border security are deemed the most important issues facing the state by registered voters, followed by political corruption and problems in leadership.
Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen have a press conference scheduled for Friday afternoon. Ramshaw says she thinks they will likely cover border security or the state’s low unemployment rate at the conference.
Update: During the press conference, Abbott announced he is sending 1,000 National Guard troops to Texas’ southern border.
Written by Hayden Baggett.
