Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says Gov. Greg Abbott should call lawmakers back for a fourth special session
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick pushed Wednesday for a fourth special session on two elections-related issues that did not get passed in the third special session that ended earlier this week. Gov. Greg Abbott's office said another special session is not necessary for now.
In a tweet, Patrick said he supported Abbott calling lawmakers back to Austin to increase the penalty for illegal voting and approve a "forensic audit bill." Abbott added the penalty increase to the call for the third special session, but it quickly ran into opposition from House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont. Abbott did not include the election audit proposal on his agenda despite pressure from former President Donald Trump.
"TX Senate just finished a strong conservative session," Patrick said in his tweet. "But more needs to be done."
Abbott spokesperson Renae Eze responded to Patrick in a statement.
"Texans tasked the Legislature with delivering on key priorities for the state in this most recent special session, including property tax relief, redistricting, and the nearly $16 billion American Rescue Plan Act funding, and we went above and beyond to deliver on these priorities as well as solve other critical issues for Texas," Eze said. "Because of the Texas House and Senate’s efforts to get these priorities across the finish line, there is no need for another special session at this time."
Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2021/10/20/texas-special-session-dan-patrick/
= new reply since forum marked as read
