When the director of the state’s Legislative Budget Board recently questioned the legality of some of Governor Greg Abbott’s vetoes in the state budget, Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick took issue. The Texas Tribune reports that Patrick has called for a review of all legislative agencies—agencies which he himself oversees. Patrick claims he wants to see “what reforms are needed, what guidelines are needed and what changes need to be made.” In reality, this could mean replacing current administrators with those of his own choosing.
The argument over the governor’s budget vetoes is all about power. Governor Abbott wants control of spending, and can only get it by taking power away from the legislature. And Lt. Governor Patrick is in a position to help Abbott in his efforts by replacing government officials who disagree with the governor, if he so chooses.