Texas Executive Branch
One area where the governor holds real power, though, is in the legislative process. The Texas Constitution allows the governor to call the state legislature into special session and gives him the sole power to set the session’s agenda. Bills on subjects not included in the governor’s “call” cannot be considered. The Constitution also allows the governor the power to veto bills passed by the legislature. While the legislature technically has the power to override his veto with a 2/3 vote, he generally vetoes bills after the legislature has adjourned – making the threat of an override meaningless.
The Constitutional deadline for Governor Greg Abbott to veto bills passed by the last regular session of the Texas Legislature was Sunday, June 21, 2015. He vetoed a total of 42 bills.
Your assignment:
Take a look at the bills vetoed by Governor Abbott this year:
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/Reports/Report.aspx?LegSess=84R&ID=vetoedbygov
Pick three. Write one essay explaining what each bill did, why Governor Abbott vetoed it, and whether or not you agree with the governor’s decision.
Submit this assignment in Microsoft Word. Cite your sources.
DUE IN 10 HOURS
Additional Resources
Governor Abbott’s official veto proclamations can be found on his website: http://gov.texas.gov/news/bills
The Texas Tribune is always a good source of information: http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/20/abbot-wields-veto-pen-final-days-decision-period/
Texas’ Legislative Reference Library has a website that lets you look at governors’ vetoes all the way back to 1846: http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/legis/vetoes/
Governing Magazine also has a good article on Governor Abbott’s vetoes:
