File photo
File photo
A South Montgomery County legislator filed a bill to require special legislative sessions to extend a state of emergency so the governor can’t indefinitely keep executive orders in effect.
Rep. Steve Toth (R-The Woodlands) proposed a constitutional amendment to enable lawmakers to end extended states of disasters and executive orders by requiring special sessions for their approval, Community Impact reported.
"Here’s the problem: If you don’t like the governor’s COVID-19 orders, I have to wait until January of the next odd-numbered year to stop them,” Toth said.
Gov. Greg Abbott previously refused to call special sessions to enable the legislature to vote down his orders. If the legislature is not in session, the courts won’t give lawmakers standing to stop the governor, Toth said.
Abbott listed improving health care coverage and telemedicine access, addressing the state's rising homeless population, economic and workforce development, and responding to cities that aim to reduce police funding as his priorities for next legislative session, which begins on Jan. 12.
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