Time for the week that was in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune’s editor-in-chief Emily Ramshaw.
The deadline for signing or vetoing bills passed during this year’s legislative session is coming up for Gov. Greg Abbott. Ramshaw says he has until Sunday at midnight to veto legislation. If he doesn’t veto a bill, it will automatically become law. Abbott signed several bills this week, including a $11.6 billion finance measure, a disaster relief plan and the legalization of lemonade stands. He also signed a bill clarifying that women can pump breast milk in public spaces.
Abbott rescued the Texas Board of Plumbing Examiners from being phased out by sunset rules. He used a special executive order to do it. The governor said he hopes his action will give homeowners the help they need in complete repairs in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.
The small East Texas town of Waskom has prohibited abortions and named itself a sanctuary for the “unborn.”
“The all male, all white city council decided unanimously on Tuesday night to basically prohibit abortion, which is obviously in direct contradiction with the law of the land, the U.S. supreme court,” Ramshaw says.
Ramshaw says the city will likely be challenged in court.
“These folks say they’re not worried about a costly legal fight, which they’ll probably get, because quote, ‘God will protect us,’” she says.
Written by Chloe Bennett.
