Though the Texas governor lacks powers over the Texas government that the president has over the U.S. government, the governor has always had one key advantage. When he or she vetoes laws, the legisture cannot immediately overturn the vetoes, because they are out of session. The best they can do is wait until the meet again in a year and half--when they generally have other things to worry about. Presidential vetoes can be responded to quickly because Congress is in session more or less permanently.
Not any more.
A large majority of the House has passed an amendment to the Texas Constitution that will allow the legislature to meet in special session after the governor vetoes bills in order to vote to override them.
The Senate bill has enough sponsors to pass it by an equally large margin. It will still have to be passed by the Texas public in a special election.
Did the governor bring this on himself? In the past he has vetoed large numbers of bills, and upset a good number of people in the state. Add this to the controversy over the immunization executive order and the opportunity is created for opponents to find common ground against him.
Would we be talking about this otherwise? Anyone know?
