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.
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.
There would (should?) still need a 2/3rd majority to vote yes again, but you make a fair point. Especially given our current federal government.
If it has the votes to pass, what’s the issue?
It feels like it’s open to manipulation. Resurrecting something decades old that the public forgot about, from a different environment. Typically when new legislation is announced, the process allows enough time for public input and objection. This could just be a single vote without much warning.
Either way works for me