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https://www.expressnews.com/opinion/editorial/article/editorial-abbott-s-veto-tantrum-no-way-to-lead-18167669.php

Editorial: Abbott’s veto tantrum is no way to lead

In a flash of power, Gov. Greg Abbott recently vetoed 77 bills passed during the 88th legislative session. But whether this achieves his goal of bringing vouchers to Texas and instituting his preferred version of property tax reform remains to be seen.

What is clear is that he sacrificed good policies that would have served Texans.

 

Spoiler

In a flash of power, Gov. Greg Abbott recently vetoed 77 bills passed during the 88th legislative session. But whether this achieves his goal of bringing vouchers to Texas and instituting his preferred version of property tax reform remains to be seen.

What is clear is that he sacrificed good policies that would have served Texans.

The victims of his veto pen included many bipartisan bills with wide voter support on noncontroversial issues, including one from San Antonio-area legislators that aimed to help prevent dog maulings.

House Bill 4759, or the Ramon Najera Act, would have strengthened criminal penalties for repeated dog attacks and allowed confidential reporting of vicious dogs to animal control authorities.

The proposal came after the horrific February attack in which two pit bull mixes — with a history of harassing and biting neighbors — escaped from their yard, mauling and killing Najera, an 81-year-old Air Force retiree walking on the street.

Abbott said that “existing criminal laws penalize attacks by dangerous dogs” and described the bill as “overcriminalization.”

We disagree with the veto — and his vapid rationale. The point of the legislation was to better prevent such attacks, making it easier for neighbors to be proactive in reporting potentially dangerous dogs whose owners may intimidate others into silence.

His rationale for many other vetoes was equally flaccid. Abbott essentially said some version of these bills can wait until he gets his way on property tax relief and vouchers.

For 45 bills, Abbott offered no reason other than the issue “is simply not as important as cutting property taxes.” He continued, “At this time, the Legislature must concentrate on delivering property tax cuts to Texans.”

Each “bill can be reconsidered at a future special session only after property tax relief is passed” was his conclusion in statements about the vetoes.

For another eight vetoes, the governor replaced “property tax” with “education freedom” in his statement.

We are all for property tax relief and prefer the Senate plan championed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (yes, you read that correctly) because it better serves homeowners than the House plan, but this is no way to compel an agreement.

Solid legislation on the creation of municipal utility districts, police accreditation, Public Utility Commission complaint resolution, campaign expenditure reporting, bond reform, academic Fresh Start to help students with higher education, and transparency for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality have been cast aside.

Legislation the governor killed included House Bill 3159, which would have served voters with disabilities. Voters who are paralyzed or have visual impairments could have requested an electronic ballot to mark privately and securely. Those ballots would have been printed and returned by mail.

But, no, this had to be sacrificed because lawmakers and the governor aren’t on the same page about property taxes.

Senate Bill 267, which would have assisted Texas police departments achieve accreditation, was nixed. So was a bill that would have let teachers serve on appraisal review boards.

Yes, it’s within the governor’s purview to veto legislation, but that should be made for reasons of policy. In most instances, Abbott has not articulated a compelling policy reason for these vetoes. This seems more like a tantrum.

The episode is reminiscent of Abbott’s decision in 2017 to veto five bills from then-state Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio, that addressed water infrastructure and security. Abbott offered no compelling rationale for those vetoes, but Larson said they were in response to his ethics bill that would have kept the governor from appointing people to boards if they had made a campaign donation of at least $2,500 in the past year.

That was no way to govern then, and it’s no way to govern now. We wonder if this tactic will produce the effects Abbott wants. Why would lawmakers support vouchers, which would decimate public schools, or his preferred property tax plan following such petty retribution?

Abbott’s veto frenzy is the second most in the history of the state. Former Gov. Rick Perry vetoed 83 bills in 2001.

In a session largely defined by regressive bills — stripping away local control, targeting transgender youth, failing to increase public education funding, failing to enact meaningful gun safety reforms but requiring a gun in every public school — Abbott has nixed a number of sound policies.

Such is the state of Texas in 2023.

 

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The claim is false. It originated as an article on a website, Dunning-Kruger Times, which describes its content as fictional and satirical in nature: 

sat·ire ˈsaˌtī(ə)r noun: The use of humor, irony, exaggeration, OR ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues. 

Everything on this website is fiction. It is not a lie and it is not fake news because it is not real. If you believe that it is real, you should have your head examined. Any similarities between this site's pure fantasy and actual people, places, and events are purely coincidental and all images should be considered altered and satirical. 

The beginning of the article read as follows: 

When Garth Brooks took the stage at the 123rd Annual Texas Country Jamboree in Hambriston, the famous farm of the Barron Cattle Empire, he didn't expect to leave in shame under two minutes later.

"For 22 years, Garth Brooks has been the headliner of this event," said a sad Toby Keith after Brooks was booed offstage, "but we really can't keep pretending he's not playing for the other side."

Advertisement:
 

We found no evidence that Brooks had recently performed at a "Texas Country Jamboree in Hambriston" — or even that a "Texas Country Jamboree" or a city called Hambriston, Texas even exist. The week the Dunning-Kruger Times article was published, Brooks was performing at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. 

We previously fact-checked a similar satirical claim that originated with the same source, namely that the grand opening of Brooks' bar had to be canceled due to his refusal to participate in a boycott of Bud Light by conservatives over a marketing promotion that featured a transgender celebrity.

For background, here is why we sometimes write about satire/humor.

 
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2 minutes ago, tchookem said:
26 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said:
Fuck this douche, he’s a horrible human and governor …
 

Looks like it's been deleted.

yeah, because he realized he'd been duped. smart guy, our governor. just the guy you want to have with their finger on the proverbial 'button.' fucking dipshit

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Nice work by Casar. 

I was at a fundraiser for him (Casar, not that fuckstick Abbott) last week. I’m not a big political donor, but it was sort of a favor for a friend. He sat at my table for the lunch and is really a nice and engaging guy. When it was time for questions from the room, one guy asked him politely when the Dems were going to start taking off the fucking gloves. I guess Casar listened.

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1 hour ago, South Austin said:

Nice work by Casar. 

I was at a fundraiser for him (Casar, not that fuckstick Abbott) last week. I’m not a big political donor, but it was sort of a favor for a friend. He sat at my table for the lunch and is really a nice and engaging guy. When it was time for questions from the room, one guy asked him politely when the Dems were going to start taking off the fucking gloves. I guess Casar listened.

I know Greg pretty well and while I don't agree with him on a number of things, that kid doesn't do anything gloves-on. 

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7 hours ago, Gil Bang said:

The claim is false. It originated as an article on a website, Dunning-Kruger Times, which describes its content as fictional and satirical in nature: 

sat·ire ˈsaˌtī(ə)r noun: The use of humor, irony, exaggeration, OR ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues. 

Everything on this website is fiction. It is not a lie and it is not fake news because it is not real. If you believe that it is real, you should have your head examined. Any similarities between this site's pure fantasy and actual people, places, and events are purely coincidental and all images should be considered altered and satirical. 

The beginning of the article read as follows: 

When Garth Brooks took the stage at the 123rd Annual Texas Country Jamboree in Hambriston, the famous farm of the Barron Cattle Empire, he didn't expect to leave in shame under two minutes later.

"For 22 years, Garth Brooks has been the headliner of this event," said a sad Toby Keith after Brooks was booed offstage, "but we really can't keep pretending he's not playing for the other side."

Advertisement:
 

We found no evidence that Brooks had recently performed at a "Texas Country Jamboree in Hambriston" — or even that a "Texas Country Jamboree" or a city called Hambriston, Texas even exist. The week the Dunning-Kruger Times article was published, Brooks was performing at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. 

We previously fact-checked a similar satirical claim that originated with the same source, namely that the grand opening of Brooks' bar had to be canceled due to his refusal to participate in a boycott of Bud Light by conservatives over a marketing promotion that featured a transgender celebrity.

For background, here is why we sometimes write about satire/humor.

 

Dunning Krueger Times is the best part of the whole thing. 
 

What is the Dunning-Kruger Effect?

The Dunning-Kruger effect effect occurs when a person’s lack of knowledge and skills in a certain area cause them to overestimate their own competence. 

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29 minutes ago, Evil Bill Obrien said:

Governor Wheels trying to out Desantis Desantis so bad that the fell for a hilariously fake news article…

You Are Dumb Mario Lopez GIF

It would be even funnier if it wasn’t so sad/cruel that Wheels is doing all dog and pony show of hate just to pull under 5% in a republican primary 

That's because he isn't a real leader. He is a scared little boy, and a follower, who does what he is told.

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2 hours ago, GhostOfTomJoad said:

So what brave journalist is going to hold Greg's feet to the fire and ask him about this deleted tweet during his next press conference?

 

He'd have to hold a press conference for that to happen. 

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3 hours ago, Evil Bill Obrien said:

Governor Wheels trying to out Desantis Desantis so bad that the fell for a hilariously fake news article…

You Are Dumb Mario Lopez GIF

It would be even funnier if it wasn’t so sad/cruel that Wheels is doing all dog and pony show of hate just to pull under 5% in a republican primary 

what's his play?  trump dies and desantis flames out?

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On 6/25/2023 at 11:21 AM, miguelito said:

https://www.expressnews.com/opinion/editorial/article/editorial-abbott-s-veto-tantrum-no-way-to-lead-18167669.php

Editorial: Abbott’s veto tantrum is no way to lead

In a flash of power, Gov. Greg Abbott recently vetoed 77 bills passed during the 88th legislative session. But whether this achieves his goal of bringing vouchers to Texas and instituting his preferred version of property tax reform remains to be seen.

What is clear is that he sacrificed good policies that would have served Texans.

 

  Hide contents

In a flash of power, Gov. Greg Abbott recently vetoed 77 bills passed during the 88th legislative session. But whether this achieves his goal of bringing vouchers to Texas and instituting his preferred version of property tax reform remains to be seen.

What is clear is that he sacrificed good policies that would have served Texans.

The victims of his veto pen included many bipartisan bills with wide voter support on noncontroversial issues, including one from San Antonio-area legislators that aimed to help prevent dog maulings.

House Bill 4759, or the Ramon Najera Act, would have strengthened criminal penalties for repeated dog attacks and allowed confidential reporting of vicious dogs to animal control authorities.

The proposal came after the horrific February attack in which two pit bull mixes — with a history of harassing and biting neighbors — escaped from their yard, mauling and killing Najera, an 81-year-old Air Force retiree walking on the street.

Abbott said that “existing criminal laws penalize attacks by dangerous dogs” and described the bill as “overcriminalization.”

We disagree with the veto — and his vapid rationale. The point of the legislation was to better prevent such attacks, making it easier for neighbors to be proactive in reporting potentially dangerous dogs whose owners may intimidate others into silence.

His rationale for many other vetoes was equally flaccid. Abbott essentially said some version of these bills can wait until he gets his way on property tax relief and vouchers.

For 45 bills, Abbott offered no reason other than the issue “is simply not as important as cutting property taxes.” He continued, “At this time, the Legislature must concentrate on delivering property tax cuts to Texans.”

Each “bill can be reconsidered at a future special session only after property tax relief is passed” was his conclusion in statements about the vetoes.

For another eight vetoes, the governor replaced “property tax” with “education freedom” in his statement.

We are all for property tax relief and prefer the Senate plan championed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (yes, you read that correctly) because it better serves homeowners than the House plan, but this is no way to compel an agreement.

Solid legislation on the creation of municipal utility districts, police accreditation, Public Utility Commission complaint resolution, campaign expenditure reporting, bond reform, academic Fresh Start to help students with higher education, and transparency for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality have been cast aside.

Legislation the governor killed included House Bill 3159, which would have served voters with disabilities. Voters who are paralyzed or have visual impairments could have requested an electronic ballot to mark privately and securely. Those ballots would have been printed and returned by mail.

But, no, this had to be sacrificed because lawmakers and the governor aren’t on the same page about property taxes.

Senate Bill 267, which would have assisted Texas police departments achieve accreditation, was nixed. So was a bill that would have let teachers serve on appraisal review boards.

Yes, it’s within the governor’s purview to veto legislation, but that should be made for reasons of policy. In most instances, Abbott has not articulated a compelling policy reason for these vetoes. This seems more like a tantrum.

The episode is reminiscent of Abbott’s decision in 2017 to veto five bills from then-state Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio, that addressed water infrastructure and security. Abbott offered no compelling rationale for those vetoes, but Larson said they were in response to his ethics bill that would have kept the governor from appointing people to boards if they had made a campaign donation of at least $2,500 in the past year.

That was no way to govern then, and it’s no way to govern now. We wonder if this tactic will produce the effects Abbott wants. Why would lawmakers support vouchers, which would decimate public schools, or his preferred property tax plan following such petty retribution?

Abbott’s veto frenzy is the second most in the history of the state. Former Gov. Rick Perry vetoed 83 bills in 2001.

In a session largely defined by regressive bills — stripping away local control, targeting transgender youth, failing to increase public education funding, failing to enact meaningful gun safety reforms but requiring a gun in every public school — Abbott has nixed a number of sound policies.

Such is the state of Texas in 2023.

 

His rationale for many other vetoes was equally flaccid.

I see what they did there and I like it

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He is just mind-numbingly bad. Any time he tries to score some sort of point, it turns into an own goal. It would be amazing if it didn't have real consequences for Texans.

Hey, governor -- when 19 kids and two adults are murdered -- do not try to say it could have been worse.
Hey, governor -- when a jury finds a man guilty -- do not immediately say you'll pardon him when 1.) you weren't there and 2.) soon after the text messages come out.
Hey, governor -- when you ban abortion even for rape -- do not say that you are going to eliminate all rape in Texas
Hey, governor -- when you don't get your way on legislation -- don't start vetoing random bills in a temper tantrum that further alienates who should be your legislative allies
Hey, governor -- when you want to make a culture war issue -- don't tweet out links to websites that have a hyphen in the URL.

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I'll be happy when the trend of politicians wearing shirts with their names embroidered on them is done. Hell, DeSantis has his name twice on his.

 

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Just now, FirstTimeCaller said:

I'll be happy when the trend of politicians wearing shirts with their names embroidered on them is done. Hell, DeSantis has his name twice on his.

 

If Meatball Ron doesn't take hold, can we go with 'Ronnie Two Times'?  I'm gonna get the papers, get the papers.  

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48 minutes ago, FirstTimeCaller said:

I'll be happy when the trend of politicians wearing shirts with their names embroidered on them is done. Hell, DeSantis has his name twice on his.

 

Counterpoint: it would be kickass if instead of a shirt, it was coveralls:

s-l1600.jpg

I'd vote for Woody.  Never met him, but I'd vote for him over meatball ron.

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Ted Cruz once explained it away a border visit that he is proud to put those shirts on because it means he's there to observe and provide and learn and assist and gets his hands dirty if needed (like handing out a 12-pack of water one time).  And also to make him more visible to people that may want to speak with him and share their stories  Or some shit.  

And I look back on that throw-away comment and think---1) You don't need a nametag, everybody in both parties knows what your shitty mug looks like from 100 yards away.  2)  I wonder if he packed one of those shirts to Cancun?  

Got a weird mailer from Ellen Troxclair today about school funding (obviously, even though she's in a much more district now).  And it was about getting it done soon with the help of the Governor, etc.  So I turned it over expecting to see a picture of her with Abbott.  I don't know if somebody in her office fucked up, but it was a photo of her and Rick Perry.  I found that curious.  She looked lovely btw.

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2 hours ago, Evil Bill Obrien said:

Hot Wheels can't be happy that Ron is traipsing thru Texas like this doing campaign stops about all the things he likes to complain about...

Oh good, I wonder how he will punish Texans for this.  Maybe order ERCOT to try and force some power plants offline so that we can get rolling blackouts that he claims Hunter Biden caused and only Greg Abbott can fix the grid!

50 minutes ago, YGIFS said:

Got a weird mailer from Ellen Troxclair today about school funding (obviously, even though she's in a much more district now).  And it was about getting it done soon with the help of the Governor, etc.  So I turned it over expecting to see a picture of her with Abbott.  I don't know if somebody in her office fucked up, but it was a photo of her and Rick Perry.  I found that curious.  She looked lovely btw.

Hd Reaction GIF by MOODMAN

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