Why is Gov. Abbott spurning the Mayors of the state's big cities?
1200 WOAI's Michael Board reports the governor has held meetings this week with mayors and city council members from across the state, but so far he has not met with the Mayors of San Antonio, Austin, Houston, or Dallas.
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg tells 1200 WOAI news he's waiting for his phone to ring.
"We want to discuss the concerns we have as representatives of the urban areas Texas, where the majority of Texans live," he said.
Nirenberg and other urban officials have expressed dismay at what appears to be an 'anti-city' agenda being pushed by Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick during the special session.
Several items on the governor's agenda include reducing the power and authority of big city governments, including bills to overturn local 'hands free' laws banning cell phone use while driving, overturn local laws that restrict the cutting down of trees on private property, restricting the ability of cities to annex outlying areas, capping property tax increases, and overturning local 'Non Discrimination Ordinances' with the so called 'Bathroom Bill.'
"There are a number of different proposed new laws that will be fast tracked against the will of local voters," Nirenberg said.
The speculation is that the anti-city proposals are based on the fact that, with the exception of Ft. Worth, all of the state's major urban areas are becoming increasingly Democrat in recent elections, while the state government continues to trend Republican.
While the governor's office and the Legislature remain securely in Republican hands, lawmakers want to push back against what they see as the erosion of personal liberties, excessive spending, and social engineering being practices by the Democrat dominated cities.