Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Monday that new rules to stop the state’s cities from defunding police have now gone into effect, emphasizing that “we support our law enforcement officers.”
Abbott signed the new law HB 1900 in June after making the issue to stop cities from defunding police an emergency item during the regular session of the state’s 87th Legislature.
“Under House Bill 1900, if the Governor’s PSO (Public Safety Office) determines a city has defunded its police department, the city will be subject to tax rate limitations, lose access to certain tax revenues, and be subject to other budgetary requirements and limitations,” the governor’s office said in a statement.
Announcing the adoption of new Texas Administrative Code rules that will prevent cities from defunding the police.
Texas will always support our law enforcement officers.https://t.co/EWssneyDHb— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) March 7, 2022
“When the city demonstrates it has reversed the reductions, PSO may reverse its defunding determination and the city will no longer be subject to those limitations, reductions, and requirements—unless it defunds its police again,” the statement added.
Abbott also expressed his support of Texas law enforcement, making his view “abundantly clear.”
“Texas remains a law-and-order state and we continue to make it abundantly clear that we support our law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day to keep communities safe,” Abbott said.
“My office’s adoption of these new rules will prevent cities from making reckless and downright dangerous decisions to defund the police, ensuring a safer future for Texans all across the Lone Star State,” he added.
Abbott previously celebrated the bill’s passage last May in the Texas House in a Twitter post.
“Texas will ALWAYS #BackTheBlue! @GoldmanCraig’s #HB1900 just PASSED in the TX House. This bill cracks down on cities that try to defund police. One step closer to my desk,” Abbott wrote along with a video of him speaking at a GOP convention.
“In Texas, we don’t defund or disrespect our police. We support our law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe,” he added.
Texas will ALWAYS #BackTheBlue!@GoldmanCraig’s #HB1900 just PASSED in the TX House.
This bill cracks down on cities that try to defund police.
One step closer to my desk. #txlege pic.twitter.com/CYSrkGVekF
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) May 7, 2021
The issue arose when the city of Austin experienced backlash from Texas law enforcement after moving to cut funds from its police department in 2020. The Daily Wire reported:
In September 2020, the Texas Municipal Police Association paid to erect two billboards outside of the city warning people coming in that the city had moved to cut some funding from its law enforcement.
“This reckless act, a political stunt by the city council pandering to the radical left, will do nothing but endanger the people of Austin,” the union said in a message posted to Facebook.
“As the largest police association in Texas, it is our duty and responsibility to stand up for the brave men and woman of the APD, as well as the other law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction within the city limits which will have less of APDs resources to depend on, and to raise public awareness of the dangers of defunding not just Austin, but any city across the U.S.,” it added.