This browser does not support the Video element.
Legislation filed to limit Texas governor’s disaster powers
The legislation, according to state Rep. Drew Springer, is not a personal critique on how the governor has managed the state response to the pandemic.
LAMPASAS. Texas - Since the beginning of the pandemic, Lampasas County, according to state records, has had about 700 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 15 deaths.
While orders from the governor are being observed, businesses are open and people are moving about. Courtney Owens purchased her flower shop on the Lampasas Town Square, a month after the outbreak hit. "Yes they need to be protected, small towns need to be protected," said Owens.
She doesn't want a surge in an urban center, like Austin or Dallas, to determine if she stays open. "No, because my business is completely different than the ones in Dallas and Austin. It's small, we are a small town, we do things different, we don't have as many people," said Owens
SIGN UP FOR FOX 7 AUSTIN EMAIL ALERTS
This browser does not support the Video element.
APH says it is short on COVID-19 vaccine doses, updates on rollout
The state allocated 700,000 initial doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and Hayden says 42,000 doses went to Travis County, but only 1,300 to Austin Public Health so far.
DOWNLOAD THE FOX 7 AUSTIN NEWS APP
HB 173 could provide small rural businesses with some protection. Filed by state Rep. Drew Springer (R-Muenster), the bill would limit the executive powers of the governor during a disaster.
"And it deals with times in a pandemic, if it goes beyond seven days, it basically does like city councils and commissioners courts does. The whole court then decides, so we would have a panel of 5 to 7 members along with the governor, be able to continue forward from there, but then after a certain period of time whether its 21 days or 30 days, we have to call a special session," said Springer.
RELATED: Texas sees coronavirus hospitalizations record just days into new year
This browser does not support the Video element.
APH provides COVID-19 update to Travis Co. Commissioners Court - 1/5/21
Austin Public Health officials discuss latest data and also provide an update on vaccine distribution.
The legislation, according to Springer, is not a personal critique on how the governor has managed the state response to the pandemic.
"I think it’s more of a checks and balances. Nobody envisioned this and I think we learn from how these go. I know his heart is in the right place but we've disagreed on some things," said Springer.
RELATED: Texas Supreme Court blocks enforcement of Austin dine-in curfew
He went on to say checks and balances are needed because no one knows what the next declared disaster might be a decade from now. Springer drafted his bill while running for a state senate seat. He eventually won a hotly contested runoff against fellow Republican Shelley Luther, who gained popularity earlier this year after refusing to close her salon in compliance with an order issued by the governor.
This browser does not support the Video element.
Legal battle over Austin curfew leads to confusion, customers lost
The Texas Supreme Court still has plans to hear both sides even though the holiday weekend being over.
"But he had to put it out there, now that he won, that's on the table and a lot of people are looking at it and saying there might be something to this bill," said political analyst Brian Smith.
For Springer's bill, or another he is expected to file in the Senate, to move forward, Smith agrees that urban and rural lawmakers will have to build a rare political coalition. Both would be pushing different agendas.
RELATED: COVID-19 therapeutic infusion center opens to treat outpatients
"The urban counties want more say over how to deal with pandemics, local problem dealt with locally. Rural guys are saying we don't want to be governed by Austin, we don't want this oppressive legislation coming down on us. We want Texas open for business. So, both places, for different reasons, want the Governor of Texas to have limited powers over things like this pandemic," said Smith.
If HB 173 clears the legislature a public vote would be required. But first, Smith believes the fate of Springer's bill will be determined if the coalition can survive a contentious budget debate and hot topics like redistricting and birth control.
CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST INFO ON THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK