Governor Greg Abbot Wants Texas Democrats Back in Austin

Will Abbot's political power play work?

Image SourceTAMIR KALIFA/STRINGER

It's been nine days since Texas democratic legislatures walked out of their state Capitol as a last-ditch effort to block Republicans back home in Texas from passing draconian new voting restrictions.

Democrats in the Texas Legislature walked out of the state amid Monday's special session and went straight to the Capitol in DC. They've been in Washington ever since taking meetings with federal lawmakers and White House officials.

According to The Texas Tribune, "The decamped Democrats are in Washington to try to get a voting bill they like" — one that would preempt state law — from Congress to block what Republicans are trying to do in TX - pass a bill that will make it harder for all Texans to vote.

The Republicans call it an "election integrity" bill. They claim the bill will stop practices that leave elections open to fraud, even though there is no evidence of widespread fraud that would change election results. Texas Democrats walked out to stop the bill, which they believe if passed, will only lead to voter suppression. They have weeks to go before they can go home again.

That battle over voting rights crashed headfirst into American's battle with the coronavirus when several Texas Democrats tested positive for the coronavirus. To date, at least six of them have tested positive for the virus.

The entire delegation, quarantined in Washington, DC, are fully vaccinated, have had breakthrough infections, yet are still pushing through, taking meetings via Zoom, and not giving up on their fight to protect voting rights.

In a political maneuver to get the Texas Democrats back to the Lone Star state, Republicans are promoting other legislation on the special session agenda that might get more public interest.

Gov. Greg Abbot put a "13 check" for retired teachers on the list. A move to give a bonus check to teachers who get monthly retirement payments. Teachers are an important constituency for Democrats. Abbot is hoping this is one way to lure democrats back to Austin.

Abbott told public radio's "Texas Standard" he was also pushing for an overhaul of the bail bond system in a way that might appeal to voters.

Abbot:

"There are dead people today because the Democrats have refused to step up and reform our broken bail system that lets very dangerous criminals back out on the streets," Abbott said. "So the Democrats have blood on their hands for failing to step up and do their job. We don't know how many Texans may lose their lives until the Democrats finally return to the Capitol and step up and pass bail reform policies in the state of Texas that do not let dangerous criminals back out onto the street."

Will Abbot's political play work to get Texas Democrats back to Austin? Will Democrats walking out of their state fall off the front page news and lose public flavor?

What do you think? Can Texas Democrats save voting rights for Texas? Or will Republicans prevail, making it harder for everyone to exercise democracy come election time?

Let us know what you think.

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