Texas governor vows to sign bill that would make it harder to defund police
The bill would require cities to hold an election if their proposed budget reduces or reallocates police funding
By Suzie Ziegler
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has said he will sign a bill that makes it hard for cities to defund their police departments.
According to CBS News, Abbott’s vow came after police were delayed responding to a weekend shooting in Austin. In a tweet, Austin Police Association president Kenneth Casaday said that units were unavailable for 12 minutes after the shooting call first came in. Casaday said officers arrived to find a victim with a gunshot wound to the head.
“This is what defunding the police looks like,” Abbott tweeted in response. “Texas won’t tolerate this.”
The bill states that a municipality must hold an election if it proposes a budget that reduces funding, reallocates funds or reduces the number of officers a department can employ, according to the report. The bill passed the state Senate but was postponed by the House on Sunday.
This is what defunding the police looks like.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) May 24, 2021
Austin is incapable of timely responding to a victim shot in the head.
Texas won't tolerate this.
We're about to pass a law-that I will sign-that will prevent cities from defunding police.
Sanity & safety will return. https://t.co/UtQVoUXzBL
