Overriding a Texas governor’s veto can be impossible. Lawmakers are trying to change that.
Overriding a Texas governor’s veto can be impossible. Lawmakers are trying to change that.
Lawmakers can override the governor’s vetoes only during the session in which the bills are rejected, according to experts’ interpretation of the law. But typically, governors veto bills after sine die – the last day of session.
In 2023, Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a nearly record-breaking 76 bills and one budget item— widely seen as his way to punish members for failing to pass his priority bills. Just two bills were vetoed during the session, in the window that lawmakers could have voted to override them.
Now, some lawmakers want to change that process. A proposal by Sen. Brian Birdwell would amend the Texas Constitution to allow legislators to briefly meet after the regular session ends to reconsider bills that passed by more than two-thirds of members.
Better idea. Govenor cannot vete a bill after end of session
Yes and no. Then the legislators could then pass all the bills at the end of a session and skip the governors ability to veto anything, which harms the separation of power that should be happening now. Really, just make it so the legislators can override a veto no matter when it was vetoed.
The ability to necro a 30 year old vetoed bill doesn't sit right with me. There should be some kind of time limit on it.
Either way works for me
Better better idea, remove the stupid arbitrary limit that is a ‘session’ entirely. Bill passes, gov vetoes, Congress can pass again or not at any point after veto within, say, 90 session days of said veto, so if gov vetoes right before a break, Congress still have 90 days to pass again starting when they come back from break.
I swear this shit could be so simple if Americans hadn’t been brainwashed into thinking “life isn’t fair” is an excuse for acting in bad faith.
Then legislative positions would be even more inaccessible to those not already wealthy.
TX legislative pay is $7,200 per year plus a per diem of $221 while in session.
"Therefore, the total compensation for a regular session would be $38,140 ($7,200 base + $30,940 per diem). Over a two-year term, the total pay is typically around $45,340 ($7,200 base pay x 2 years + per diem for one 140-day regular session). This relatively low base pay highlights that the legislators’ roles are often viewed as part-time public service rather than full-time career positions."
https://www.ncesc.com/geographic-faq/what-is-the-salary-for-texas-legislators/
Not a bad solution either