State Rep. Brian Harrison (R‑District 10) announced Thursday that a coalition of more than two dozen conservative organizations has delivered 15,000 petitions to Governor Greg Abbott’s office. The petitioners are urging Abbott to call a special legislative session to place limits on the governor’s emergency powers before Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa (D) takes office in January.
Largest conservative coalition formed
The coalition, described by Harrison as the largest of its kind, includes groups such as Grassroots America We the People, True Texas Project, Texas Eagle Forum, Citizens for Renewing America, Texas Gun Rights, Gun Owners of America, and the American Principles Project, along with numerous local Republican clubs. Harrison posted the list on X, emphasizing that “no governor of either party should ever wield unchecked, total power to both write and enforce laws by edict.”
Petition drive and legislative background
Harrison’s office reported that the petitions were hand‑delivered to the governor’s office, reflecting a broad grassroots push to restore the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. The effort follows Harrison’s earlier attempts to curb emergency authority, including House Bill 911 in the 2023 session, which sought to require legislative approval for extensions of disaster declarations and to limit the suspension of statutes that affect constitutional rights. That bill stalled in the House State Affairs Committee.
On November 9, Harrison filed House Bill 708 for the 2027 regular session. The proposal would similarly require legislative approval to extend disaster declarations beyond 30 days, remove the governor’s authority under Chapter 418 to suspend statutes, and limit orders that affect constitutional rights to a 30‑day period unless lawmakers act to extend them.
Why the push matters now
Texas Government Code Chapter 418 gives the governor the force of law for disaster orders and allows suspension of regulatory statutes when strict compliance would hinder response. A disaster declaration can last up to 30 days, with the possibility of renewal by the governor. The legislature can end a declaration by passing a law, but Harrison argues that the current language gives the governor too much unilateral power.
“This is tyrannical. It’s unconstitutional. It renders the people powerless because their elected representatives in the legislative branch are irrelevant,” Harrison told The Dallas Express. He warned that without legislative checks, “all of our laws can be just thrown right out the window.”
Political context
The petition drive comes after Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Abbott in the November 3 election, marking the first time in decades that a Democrat will hold the governor’s office. Harrison contended that Republicans must act now to prevent potential overreach by a future Democratic administration, stating, “Anything short of that is a dereliction of duty.” He also challenged critics who claim Democrats would refuse to participate in a special session, asking, “Have the Democrats made those statements on the record?”
Abbott has the authority to call a special session and set its agenda, but he has not announced any such session as of this report. The Texas Constitution limits each special session to 30 days and requires a two‑thirds quorum in each chamber. For any restrictions to take effect before the January transition, a supermajority of legislators would need to support an earlier effective date; otherwise, the Constitution generally mandates a 90‑day wait after adjournment.
Looking ahead
The next regular legislative session begins on January 12, 2027, with Hinojosa slated to assume the governorship on January 19. Harrison said he will continue to advocate for Republican leadership and to hold fellow Republicans accountable, emphasizing the need for “conservative patriots” to stand up for limited government and constitutional safeguards.
Abbott’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.
