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Texas lawmakers want an easier way to override vetoes

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feeds.texastribune.org – By Sameea Kamal – 2025-05-24 05:00:00


The Texas Legislature last overrode a governor’s veto in 1979, mainly because lawmakers can only override vetoes during the session when bills are rejected, but governors often veto bills after sessions end. In 2023, Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed 76 bills, mostly after the session, limiting lawmakers’ chance to override. Sen. Brian Birdwell proposed a constitutional amendment to allow a brief post-session legislative meeting to reconsider bills passed by two-thirds, aiming to restore checks and balances. The proposal passed the Senate unanimously but faces challenges due to political pressure and Texas’s small-government tradition.

Overriding a Texas governor’s veto can be impossible. Lawmakers are trying to change that.” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

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The last time the Legislature overrode a governor’s veto on a bill was in 1979, when William Clements was governor.

It’s not that members don’t want to exercise their legislative authority — meant to be equal to the executive branch. It’s that in almost every case, they can’t.

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.

The Republican from Granbury said at a March state affairs committee hearing that his resolution was not in response to Abbott’s vetoes, noting that he submitted the same bill prior to the end of last session. But he did highlight the high number of bills that passed last session with more than two-thirds support in each chamber.

According to an analysis by the Texas Tribune, 71 of the 76 bills that Abbott vetoed passed through both chambers with a veto-proof majority, or more than two-thirds support.

“My intent here is to restore the checks and balances of Texas government, and legislation that was passed by an overwhelming majority such as two-thirds reflects the importance of that issue to the constituents of the state,” Birdwell said.

He acknowledged at the hearing that lawmakers may not want to return to the Capitol after the session ends, but that his proposal could also boost legislative efficiency by preventing the Legislature from bringing up the same bills again the next session.

The infrequent overrides aren’t too surprising, given that both legislative branches and the governor’s office in Texas have all been led by Republicans since 2003, and are likely to share priorities — or at least refrain from challenging each other publicly.

Abbott’s vetoes in 2023 made up just over 6% of the 1,246 House and Senate bills passed during the regular session, but were the highest number since 2001, when then-Gov. Rick Perry vetoed 81 bills.

Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, a Democrat from Austin, signed on as co-author because she wanted to get the “right balance” between the executive and legislative branches, she said in an interview with The Texas Tribune.

“The massacre of bills was so broad, and it was all about retribution,” she said, referring to the Legislature’s denial of the school voucher bill and and on property taxes. “The governor didn’t even use a fig leaf to disguise that it was about retribution … I don’t believe that’s what the framers of the Texas constitution intended.”

Abbott vetoed 30 of the bills on one day, with a common message in many veto explanations: “At this time, the legislature must concentrate on delivering property tax cuts to Texans,” he wrote.

Last session’s vetoes drew a rare public critique from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick: “It’s not a very good image to veto bills for no reason other than he didn’t get the property tax bill he wants.”

If it became law, the practice would align Texas with at least 25 other states that allow veto overrides after the session – either through a reconvening such as the one Birdwell is proposing, or during the next regular session.

Because it’s a joint resolution, Birdwell’s proposal doesn’t require the governor’s approval — but it will need support from at least a two-thirds majority in each chamber before being put to voters at a general election.

The measure passed the Senate unanimously in mid-April, but hasn’t been taken up by a House committee, with the end of session less than two weeks away.

Time isn’t the only challenge. Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston, said he thinks the bill faces an uphill battle despite not needing the governor’s approval, because of the pressure Abbott can put on lawmakers.

The veto power is one of the clearest ways governors can flex their executive muscle, he said.

“The governor is as powerful as they’re able to make themselves, and the extent to which they can leverage the modest powers they have under the Constitution,” he said in an interview.

And even if it did pass, lawmakers could face retribution if they did vote to override a veto.

Additionally, Rottinghaus said, it’s rare to see major structural changes to the way the Texas government works.

“Texas’ government is designed to be small government, so any changes from that are usually met with resistance,” he said. “So even just inertia alone is enough to probably minimize this bill.”

Disclosure: University of Houston has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.


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This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/24/texas-constitution-new-rule-veto-override/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.

The post Texas lawmakers want an easier way to override vetoes appeared first on feeds.texastribune.org



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

The content presents a factual and balanced examination of the Texas legislative process concerning the governor’s veto power and potential constitutional changes. It provides perspectives from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, includes expert analysis, and avoids overtly partisan language. The article focuses on governance, state institutional dynamics, and legislative procedure without promoting a particular ideological agenda, reflecting a centrist and neutral reporting style.

News from the South - Texas News Feed

Georgetown wildlife rehab caring for more than 500 animals, many taken in after Texas floods

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www.kxan.com – Abigail Jones – 2025-07-10 12:34:00

SUMMARY: Devastating floods in Texas have caused significant damage and at least 120 deaths, with many still missing. Central Texas wildlife is struggling too. All Things Wild Rehabilitation in Georgetown is caring for over 500 animals affected by the floods, including orphaned, injured, and displaced wildlife. The nonprofit urgently needs donations, volunteers, and more land to continue its work. They have already admitted nearly as many animals in 2025 as all of last year, emphasizing the ongoing impact of extreme weather. All Things Wild provides extensive care and safely releases animals back into natural habitats. They encourage public support and offer guidance for reporting injured wildlife.

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The post Georgetown wildlife rehab caring for more than 500 animals, many taken in after Texas floods appeared first on www.kxan.com

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News from the South - Texas News Feed

Louisiana woman ‘blessed’ to be alive after being struck by lightning outside her home

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www.kxan.com – Ethan Goode – 2025-07-09 22:15:00

SUMMARY: Rebekah Prevost of Baton Rouge was struck by lightning on July 3 while running from her vehicle to her home during a storm. The lightning hit a cedar tree near her house, traveled through the ground, up her foot, and exited her head. She sustained a broken jaw on both sides, a burn on her left hand, bruised knees, a ruptured ear membrane, a scalp injury, and burnt hair. Prevost was hospitalized for four days and is now recovering with ongoing pain and fatigue. Her recovery will take six to eight weeks, requiring rest and soft foods. A GoFundMe has been set up to assist with her medical expenses.

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The post Louisiana woman 'blessed' to be alive after being struck by lightning outside her home appeared first on www.kxan.com

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Texas flood disaster death toll continues to climb

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www.youtube.com – FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth – 2025-07-09 18:23:00

SUMMARY: The Texas flood disaster death toll has risen to 118, with over 170 still missing, mostly in Kerr County, which suffered severe destruction including 36 children among the fatalities. Officials face growing scrutiny over delayed flood warnings and the lack of a flood alert system. Rescue crews continue to work tirelessly amid debris piles along the Guadalupe River. A local father with his three sons shared a harrowing survival story after quickly evacuating their flooded RV. Governor Greg Abbott ordered flags at half-staff. Recovery efforts will take months or years, with more than $3 million raised for relief. Questions remain about preparedness and response delays.

The death toll in the Texas flood disaster has climbed to 118. More than 170 people are still missing. Officials in Kerr County, which faced the worst of the destruction, said 95 people were found dead there. Including 36 children. City and county leaders say their crews have been working non-stop. Working through their off days to locate the missing.

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