Austin (WBAP/KLIF News) – Governor Greg Abbott has laid out his priorities for the Texas legislature’s 2017 session. Abbott delivered his “state of the state” address Tuesday, describing Texas’ current state as “exceptional.”
Abbott says he is hopeful that the state’s economy will recover from lower oil prices, but he did announce a hiring freeze for state agencies that will last through August. He says the hiring freeze could save $200 million in the current budget.
Abbott listed four emergency items: reform for Child Protective Services, a ban on “sanctuary cities,” ethics reform and a convention of states to pass amendments to the constitution.
The governor says more than 100 children died in the CPS system last year. He is calling for more training and workers.
The governor also called for a ban on “sanctuary cities.” He had previously criticized the Travis County sheriff for saying she would not work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, except in cases where a suspect is charged with capital murder or aggravated sexual assault.
“Elected officials don’t get to pick and choose which laws they will obey,” he says.
Abbott also said he wants the legislature to continue funding the Department of Public Safety and Texas National Guard at the border.
“To protect Texans from deadly danger, we must insist our laws be followed,” Abbott says.
The governor also wants lawmakers to make a call for a convention of states to consider new amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Abbott has said he wants to impose term limits on members of Congress and require the federal government to pass a balanced budget. He says a convention of states has drawn support from “hundreds of thousands of Texans who are motivated by this.”
“We should demand the federal government do two things: one is to fulfill important but limited responsibilities as specifically defined in the Constitution,” Abbott says. “On everything else, leave us alone and let Texans govern Texas.”
After the address, Democrats held a press conference, saying Republicans have abandoned the concept of local control.
“The idea that a governor of Texas would call for the removal of a duly elected public official is really extraordinary,” says Representative Chris Turner (D-Arlington). “We support local control. They (Republicans) want to have big government in Austin go in and tell city, county and school district officials what they can do and what they can’t do.”
Abbott did not mention the bill that would require people at schools and government buildings to use the bathroom of their physical gender. Turner says the governor should have told lawmakers he is opposed to the measure.
“The governor talked about the strength of the Texas economy,” Turner says. “We ought to be talking about actions we can take that can be a threat to the Texas economy.”
(Copyright 2017 WBAP/KLIF News. All rights reserved)
