# Screw Greg Abbott {Texas Governor} **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 2, 2021, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141 "2021-03-02T21:00:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2021, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/342 "2021-10-24T18:13:23Z")
South Africa did it for decades. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2021, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/343 "2021-10-24T18:24:35Z")
Yes, but they started with Apartheid. It will be a little harder to go from universal voting rights backwards to a South African model from the 50’s. I hope. ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2021, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/344 "2021-10-24T19:29:07Z")
I hope so too. But the next step will be to overthrow previous Supreme Court decisions that legislative districts must be fairly equal in population. Once that goes away, Odessa could have as many legislative representatives as Houston. I wish I were joking. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2021, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/345 "2021-10-24T19:46:17Z")
This infuriates me even more than the voting issues: > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Unsurprisingly, lawmakers did not expand Medicaid, despite our state having enough funding and the highest rate of uninsured people in America… FFS, if you’re going to run the state like a dictatorship, at least try to keep people healthy. Oh, wait… we don’t want _those_ people to be healthy. Or, frankly, even to live. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2021, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/346 "2021-10-24T19:52:32Z")
> [@SunUp](#): > > But the next step will be to overthrow previous Supreme Court decisions that legislative districts must be fairly equal in population. Yeah, that has been a RW peeve for 60+ years now and not just in Texas. How dare the court not protect them from the tyranny of the urban majority. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2021, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/347 "2021-10-24T20:30:27Z")
So, instead of using those $750 million to winterize Texas’s power grid, they’re putting it towards a wall that half the population doesn’t want, and which won’t improve border security anyway? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2021, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/348 "2021-10-24T20:38:41Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > So, instead of using those $750 million to winterize Texas’s power grid, they’re putting it towards a wall that half the population doesn’t want, and which won’t improve border security anyway? - I’m sure a good portion of that went to bribe people to say it will never get that cold again. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2021, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/349 "2021-11-20T18:13:35Z")
Still dancing to trumpy’s tune. > **[Abbott shuffles prisons’ funds to vote audit - San Antonio Express, 11/20/2021](https://digital.olivesoftware.com/olive/odn/sanantonioexpressnews/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=SAEN%2F2021%2F11%2F20&entity=Ar00301&sk=6310796B&mode=text)** > > San Antonio Express - 11/20/2021 > Gov. Greg Abbott and the Republican leaders of the Legislature are shifting $4 million from the state’s prison system to fund audits of election results as former President Donald Trump has pressured them to do. > > On Thursday, Abbott requested emergency funding from the Legislature, saying the secretary of state doesn’t have the funding it needs to conduct election audits needed to assure the public they can trust results. Abbott said the funding will create a new Election Audits Division within the Secretary of State’s Office. > > Republican leaders of the House and Senate agreed to the request Friday, calling the lack of funding for the audits division an emergency. They moved the $4 million on Friday morning, and Abbott signed off on it. > … > > “How much taxpayer money is it going to take, to convince former President Trump that he lost the 2020 election?” said Stephanie Gómez, associate director of the Common Cause Texas advocacy group. “Wisconsin taxpayers are spending almost $700,000. Arizona taxpayers are on the hook for millions. Now, using emergency powers, Governor Abbott has got Texas taxpayers on the hook for $4 million more.” That’s an easy question to answer: Donnie will **never** admit publicly that he lost the election. I’m 100% sure he knows it _privately_, but there’s nothing in it for him if he admits it publicly. Stirring up shit is what he does and he will keep doing it indefinitely. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/350 "2021-11-30T12:09:36Z")
> **[Abbott promises electric grid will stay on - San Antonio Express, 11/30/2021](http://digital.olivesoftware.com/olive/odn/sanantonioexpressnews/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=SAEN%2F2021%2F11%2F30&entity=Ar00301&sk=B4DFEA43&mode=text)** > > San Antonio Express - 11/30/2021 > Gov. Greg Abbott promised that the state’s electric grid would be able to withstand pressures caused by any potential winter storm that occurs this year in a television interview Friday. > > “Listen, very confident about the grid. And I can tell you why, for one: I signed almost a dozen laws that make the power grid more effective,” Abbott said. “I can guarantee the lights will stay on.” Signing laws! That’s the ticket! **I** can guarantee one thing: the lights will stay on in the Governor’s mansion. > After the winter storm in February that left millions across the state without power, the Legislature passed a number of bills requiring additional “weatherization” measures for companies that maintain the state’s electric grid. > > But experts have expressed concerns that loopholes have allowed some natural gas providers to exempt themselves from the weatherization requirements, potentially leaving the system still vulnerable. “Loopholes”? Don’t know nuttin’ 'bout no _loopholes_. Move along, folks. > In a poll from the University of Texas-Austin and the Texas Tribune, voters were asked their opinion on the policies advanced by the Legislature throughout the regular and special sessions this year. Among the most popular were gun rights, public safety and the election laws, while “reliability of the electric grid” was dead last, with a negative 42 percent favorability rating. > > In interviews earlier this month, a Republican political consultant and two political scientists said this amounted to a potential political vulnerability for Republicans, particularly if another winter storm hits that shuts down the grid. Political liability – that’s the ONLY thing that matters, amirite? How many people died? Who the F cares? > **[Texas Winter Storm Death Toll Goes Up To 210, Including 43 Deaths In Harris...](https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/energy-environment/2021/07/14/403191/texas-winter-storm-death-toll-goes-up-to-210-including-43-deaths-in-harris-county/)** > > Harris County leads the state in freeze-related deaths. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/351 "2021-11-30T17:47:39Z")
I think the poll results are more about controversy- “gun rights, public safety and election laws” could be rephrased as “open carry, BLM/Defund police, and voter rights curtailment”. Those were all three hot button topics this last legislative session for Republicans AND Democrats, so of course it’s going to be something that’s going to register as having a lot of popularity. I have to ask when the timing of the poll happened- Senate bills 2 and 3 of the last legislative session addressed ERCOT and the grid failure. In the House, the power grid bills were house bills 10, 11,12, 13, 16, and 17. Each house had over 2500 bills introduced in the last legislative session, so having them as low as they were indicates something of their relative priority, since they’re numbered sequentially from the filing date. That said, Abbott is still the leader of the Texas GOP, and could have pushed for more strict changes or more changes in total, and he didn’t. I guess we’ll see what happens when the next severe cold snap occurs in 10 years. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/352 "2021-11-30T18:28:51Z")
Here’s more on the poll. I’m in a hurry and didn’t scrutinize carefully. > **[More Texas voters unhappy than satisfied over power grid, abortion and...](https://www.texastribune.org/2021/11/08/texas-voters-poll-abortion-electricity-property-taxes/)** > > Most voters approve of using state money to add border barriers between Texas and Mexico. But 57% disapprove of a new abortion law’s provision allowing lawsuits against people who help someone get the procedure. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/353 "2021-11-30T19:01:44Z")
Actually that poll is about how voters approve/disapprove of the items addressed in the legislative session. Most did NOT like the way they handled the power grid issues. Which is fair, they didn’t do a great job, and that shows an uncharacteristically lopsided result at 18% approve, 60% disapprove, 22% unsure, unlike others which are mostly in the 40% approve, 40% disapprove, 20% not sure realm that indicates partisanship at work. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/354 "2021-12-10T12:09:30Z")
Anti-vaxxers have a new way to rat out employers who want them and their co-workers to avoid getting COVID. > **[Hotline set up for shot rules - San Antonio Express, 12/10/2021](https://digital.olivesoftware.com/olive/odn/sanantonioexpressnews/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=SAEN%2F2021%2F12%2F10&entity=Ar01301&sk=73A91280&mode=text)** > > San Antonio Express - 12/10/2021 > Texas has a new hotline for workers to report employers requiring COVID-19 vaccines in violation of Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order banning such mandates. > … > > “While I encourage Texans to get the COVID-19 vaccine, it will always be voluntary, and never forced, in Texas, and we are committed to ensuring Texans’ livelihoods are not jeopardized by federal overreach,” Abbott said in a release. > > The Texas Workforce Commission sent a letter to Texas employers on Wednesday reiterating that position. There, the agency advertised its new hotline, which can be reached at 800-939-6631 or [vaccine\_job\_loss@twc.texas.gov](mailto:vaccine_job_loss@twc.texas.gov). What about ensuring Texans’ livelihoods are not jeopardized by 1) getting reeeeally sick and/or 2) being dead and/or 3) making other people be sick or dead? FREEEEE-DUMB FIRST! 🤠 ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/355 "2021-12-10T13:43:55Z")
Yippee-ky-yay mother-vaxxers! ---
**Author:** ![Skypist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skypist/32/169_2.png) [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/356 "2021-12-10T15:44:47Z")
Supreme Court has allowed Texas abortion ban to stay. Feel like I’m living in a theocracy for sure now. Thanks a lot, trump voters. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/357 "2021-12-10T15:50:05Z")
They didn’t strike it down, but they did say that it can be challenged in Federal court by providers. That punts it back to the Federal district court where it may yet be struck down. That, combined with the state district court judge ruling that the state can’t give standing to people who don’t suffer damages (i.e. to sue, you have to be able to show damages), that sounds like maybe a tactical draw and a tactical victory, even if the war’s not won yet. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/358 "2021-12-10T15:54:59Z")
> [@bump](#): > > …that sounds like maybe a tactical draw and a tactical victory… Let’s make _ever-body_ happy. Or at least let’s throw ever-body a bone with no meat on it. ---
**Author:** ![Skypist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skypist/32/169_2.png) [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/359 "2021-12-10T15:59:01Z")
My understanding is that abortion providers are still limited as to which state officials they can sue. Plus every minute that this law remains in effect, which is way too long already, likely drives away abortion providers who will never return, even if the law is eventually successfully challenged. Texas Republicans are basically getting what they want - forced birth - and the rest of the country is next. It’s going to take forever to untangle this situation. Maybe someday. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/360 "2021-12-10T16:10:51Z")
> [@Skypist](#): > > …likely drives away abortion providers who will never return, even if the law is eventually successfully challenged… As well as even if the law is NEVER successfully challenged. > [@Skypist](#): > > Texas Republicans are basically getting what they want… Bingo! This is “governing” by gumming up the works. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/361 "2021-12-10T16:24:11Z")
> [@bump](#): > > That, combined with the state district court judge ruling that the state can’t give standing to people who don’t suffer damages (i.e. to sue, you have to be able to show damages), that sounds like maybe a tactical draw and a tactical victory, even if the war’s not won yet My understanding is: in Kentucky, “He needed killin’” is a legitimate affirmative defense to a Murder charge. /s Wouldn’t “but it offends the baby Jebus” be a similarly valid affirmative defense ([slash] substantiation of damages and standing to sue] in these civil cases, in The Lone Star State ? Time will tell … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141.md?page=19)