Abbott approves measures that 'will stop cities from defunding the police, enhance penalties for criminal activities'

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed multiple legislative bills requiring certain cities to seek approval from the public to defund their local police departments.

"Signed several pieces of legislation into law that will stop cities from defunding the police and enhance penalties for criminal activities that interfere with or harm law enforcement,” Abbott posted in a June 1 tweet.

House Bill 1900 is the centerpiece of the bills signed, blocking the state's largest jurisdictions not to cut police funding unless approved through a public referendum, while the other laws will enforce a harsher punishment on protestors who use fireworks, laser tags and any other weapon to disrupt police work. 

Under Bill 1900, areas annexed within the past three decades can vote the regulation out of further annexation. House Bill 9 will enforce jail consequences for individuals who block emergency vehicles. The regulation stems from an occurrence during which a protester blocked two police officers from arriving at a hospital. House Bill 2366 will enforce the ban on fireworks and laser pointers to disturb police work and harm officers, making the act a felony. 

“The men and women of law enforcement put their lives on the line every day to keep Texans safe, and they deserve our enduring support and gratitude,” Abbott said. “Efforts to defund the police are downright dangerous, and these laws will prevent cities from making this reckless decision.”

The four bills, supported mainly by the Republican Party, were made official during a ceremony filled with police officers, related officials and bill drafters. The measures are intended to diminish the scale of protests caused by the infliction of police brutality on black and Hispanic groups. A shooting followed by a slow police response last month also prompted the governor to promote and sign the pro-police legislation. 

The bills presented offer limitations on extreme budget reductions but exempt areas that reduce budgets accordingly to their overall budget decreases. The remaining bills prevent individual cities from reducing their general police budget. Senate Bill 23 requires cities with over a million people to hold elections before determining a budget for their local police department. Opposing parties believe the measures are extreme and don't tackle the root of the problem.

“No matter how much Gov. Abbott wants to send us backward, he can’t send us back to 2019 before George Floyd was murdered. In Austin, we will continue to work to address violence, including violence committed by police," Austin City Council member Greg Casar said. "We will work to make sure our budget conforms with the new law and also conforms with the values of this community. We will continue our march toward racial justice, police accountability and comprehensive safety no matter what.”