Texas Republican seeks to limit incoming Democratic governor’s emergency powers, Digi Mart USA News (Texas, United States): A Republican lawmaker in Texas is seeking to limit some of the incoming governor’s powers after Democrats flipped the state blue in Tuesday’s election. Republican Texas state Rep.
Brian Harrison on Wednesday publicly urged outgoing Gov. Greg Abbott to convene a special session to “rein in” the governor’s executive emergency powers before Democratic Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa takes office.
In a lengthy statement posted on X, Harrison wrote, “Republicans lost last night, but Democrats were not sworn in.” He added, “We still have total power in Texas, and we must act like it by using the remaining ten weeks to restore separation of powers and limit the emergency powers that Governor-Elect Hinojosa is set to inherit.” Harrison also said he believes Texas governors should not have “unchecked” emergency powers, regardless of their party affiliation.
Harrison told Fox News Digital on Thursday that Texas should have acted on the issue when he first demanded it in 2022. “If these are not revoked, Gina Hinojosa will assume not just the powers our state constitution bestows upon a Governor, but will, in effect, inherit nearly all the powers of a dictator,” he said.
He stated that Texas governors can write, edit, or change any statute if they declare an “emergency,” which he called unconstitutional.
Under Section 433.002 of the Texas Government Code, the governor may issue emergency directives and “amend, modify, or rescind” those directives during a declared state of emergency, subject to the requirements outlined in the law. Harrison said these powers have been abused in the past and that Hinojosa has pledged to use them on day one.
He also said the Texas Legislature should “immediately pass” legislation such as HB911, which he filed in December 2022 to restrict the governor’s emergency powers.
Hinojosa defeated Abbott in Texas’ 2026 gubernatorial race on Tuesday, becoming the state’s first Latina governor. While campaigning, she pledged to declare “a high-cost emergency” and introduce executive orders to halt the state’s gas and diesel taxes and to freeze residential electricity rates, the Texas Tribune reported Wednesday.
Abbott’s office and Hinojosa’s campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
According to Abbott’s office, the governor can sign or veto bills, serve as commander in chief of the state’s military forces, and convene special legislative sessions “for specific purposes.” Under the Texas Disaster Act of 1975, the governor can declare a state of disaster and exercise certain emergency powers, including suspending specific regulatory requirements. Such declarations must be renewed after 30 days and can be terminated by the Legislature at any time.
In the Senate race, James Talarico defeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, according to the report. The Houston Chronicle reported Wednesday that some Republican Texas state senators have pledged to “hold the line” against Democrat-led policy goals ahead of Hinojosa taking office.
President Donald Trump blasted Abbott in a Truth Social post on Tuesday, claiming he lost because he is a “RINO,” or Republican in name only.
After conceding, Abbott told supporters he had informed Hinojosa that he “would assist her and her team in a period of transition,” The Hill reported. Republican Sen.
Ted Cruz said in an X post Wednesday, “Texas has not had a Democrat governor since 1994,” adding, “We haven’t had a Democrat senator since 1993. Now we’ll have both.” Hinojosa is set to officially take office in January 2027.
