State Rep. Zwiener joins lawsuit against governor for veto of legislative branch’s budget
State Rep. Erin Zwiener (D-Driftwood) joined a lawsuit filed against Gov. Greg Abbott after he vetoed the state legislative branch’s budget.
Zwiener’s office announced Friday that she joined her colleagues with the Texas House Democratic Caucus, AFL-CIO and state employees. Zwiener is among 60 Democratic members of the House to sign a petition for a writ of mandamus.
“This lawsuit is a blatant attempt to coerce Texas legislators,” Zwiener said in a statement. “Separation of powers is a core principle of American government. Governor Abbott’s actions undermine the Texas Constitution, harm the ability of legislators to represent our districts, endanger the livelihoods of 2,100 Texas workers, and weaken democracy here in Texas.”
Zwiener’s office said the suit petitions the Texas Supreme Court to take immediate action and overturn Abbott’s veto.
The governor vetoed Article X, which funds the legislative branch, following his vow to veto the Legislature’s funding after House Democrats broke quorum in the final hours of the regular session to prevent passage of a controversial elections bill, which included new limitations to early voting hours and additional voting-by-mail restrictions. Abbott viewed passing the elections bill as a priority.
According to the Associated Press, Abbott spokeswoman Renae Eze defended the governor’s veto power and described the Democrats’ claims in the petition as misleading.
“This is not the first time, and undoubtedly will not be the last time, that a governor vetoes funding for government positions and salaries," Eze said.
The petition filed Friday argues that Abbott’s veto will unconstitutionally deprive his co-equal branch of its operating budget in less than three months.
“Even now, the prospect of the destruction of the legislative branch is impairing the powers granted its members,” the petition states. “Moreover, the Governor’s veto is causing significant harm to thousands of individual state employees, many of whom are represented by an affiliate of Relator Texas AFL-CIO. Employees of the legislative branch (including nonpartisan agencies) rely on paychecks to support themselves and their families. These public servants must now plan to address impending loss of income.”
The petition asks the Texas Supreme Court to issue a decision in an advance of the Sept. 1 appropriations lapse.
