TEXAS: Governor To Decide On Calling Special Session After Legislature Adjourns Without Anti-LGBT Vote

Yesterday the Texas House devolved into literal shoving matches and death threats on the final day of the legislative session. The Texas Tribune reports on what might come next:

While both chambers successfully passed a two-year $217 blllion budget — the only item the Legislature is required to pass — other controversial items, such as a “bathroom bill” to regulate which restrooms transgender Texans can use, didn’t make it to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk, prompting speculation that a special session is inevitable.

Meanwhile, some measures that did make it to the governor are likely headed for a lengthy court battle. And, then of course, there are hundreds of less controversial bills that the governor can not decide whether to sign, veto or become law without his signature.

The Texas Constitution requires lawmakers to meet every two years for no more than 140 days. Beyond that, the governor can call the Legislature back for as many special sessions as he wants, with each lasting no more than 30 days.

“I can tell you this, and that is when it gets to a special session, the time and topics are solely up to the governor of the state of Texas,” Abbott told reporters Monday at a bill-signing event. He added he would make an announcement about a possible upcoming special session “later this week.”

Viciously anti-LGBT Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is among those calling for a special session.