Abbott outlines agenda, announces state hiring freeze
Gov. Greg Abbott delivered his second of State of the State address Tuesday, calling for emergency action to ban “sanctuary cities” that refuse to fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities, and for an infusion of money to repair a “rickety” child welfare system that cost more than 100 children their lives in the last year.
Abbott also identified a renewed effort to enact ethics reform, and Texas joining a national effort to convene an Article V Convention of States to amend the U.S. Constitution, as emergency items that the Legislature can act on in the first 60 days of the session.
More immediately, Abbott imposed a freeze on state hiring through the end of August that he said “should free up about $200 million in our current budget,” and get the state through to the start of the new biennium, Sept. 1, despite “the downturn in the oil patch,” that has cost Texas revenue.
“And in the next biennium, I’m confident we can balance the budget without looting the rainy day fund,” Abbott said.
Read more: http://www.mystatesman.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/abbott-outlines-agenda-announces-state-hiring-freeze/uPl8gOFI2hszGsaGM8EAaP/