DALLAS – Gov. Greg Abbott told Texas lawmakers that he was freezing state hiring to meet current budget needs but said the state should continue to spend $800 million per year to reinforce federal border security measures, and avoid tapping the $10 billion rainy day fund.
In a wide-ranging State of the State address, Abbott also sought more money for child protective services, called for school finance reform, including vouchers that could be used for private school tuition, and threatened to remove any law enforcement official who aided in creating a "sanctuary city" for undocumented immigrants.
On a larger scale, Abbott called for a constitutional convention of states to amend the U.S. Constitution as an emergency measure with provisions requiring a balanced budget and protecting states' rights.
"Texas is the Lone Star State for a reason: We stand apart as a model for the rest of the nation," he said. "Let's keep Texas the most exceptional state in America."
Abbott said the hiring freeze would save $200 million in the current fiscal year that ends Aug. 31. The immediate budget cut is a result of falling revenue and increased funding for transportation, one of Abbott's emergency items in the 2015 session. Abbott, making his second State of the State address, did not propose any new transportation funding.
"Sure, we had a downturn in the oil patch like we have almost every decade," Abbott said. "And like every other time, Texas has come roaring back. Last year when oil hit bottom, Texas still added more than 200,000 new jobs."
Abbott noted that the Texas economy is larger than that of several nations, including Russia.
While speaking favorably about the Trump administration's immigration policy, Abbott said the state must continue spending $800 million per year on additional border law enforcement.
"While the federal government is ramping up, Texas will not retreat," Abbott said.
Saying nothing of Trump's controversial directive to immediately begin building a wall between the U.S. and Mexico, Abbott noted that he would meet with Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly on Wednesday in the Rio Grande Valley to discuss "efforts to strengthen border security."
For years, Abbott and other Texas Republicans accused the federal government under President Obama of failing to enforce border security, even though illegal border crossings from Mexico to the U.S. fell sharply during Obama's tenure.
Despite falling revenues, Abbott called for business tax cuts and allowing parents to use state funding for private school tuition in the name of "school choice."
The 85th Texas Legislature that opened in January must wrap up its business by the end of May.
