Greg Abbott and lieutenant governor clash over veto power.

Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Clash Over Veto Threat

Tensions have reached a boiling point between Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in Texas. The disagreement centers around property taxes during a special session, with Abbott threatening to use his veto power on several Senate bills, even those he supports. This has caused Patrick to side against Abbott in the dispute.

Harsh Words from Lt. Gov. Patrick

“In a ploy to apparently get his way, Governor Abbott suggests he is threatening to destroy the work of the entire 88th Legislative Session — hundreds of thousands of hours by lawmakers doing the work the people sent us to do,” Patrick tweeted. “The Governor’s suggested threat today to veto a large number of Senate bills is an affront to the legislative process and the people of Texas. He has now made his position clear — he doesn’t want homeowners to get the $100,000 homestead exemption that is the hallmark of the Senate Plan.”

“I will not abandon 5.7 million average Texas homeowners getting their $100,000 homestead exemption,” Patrick added.

The feud between Abbott and Patrick stems from their disagreement over property taxes. Abbott wanted the state legislature to focus solely on compression, a method of sending funds to state schools to lower property tax rates. However, the Senate refused and instead requested an increase in the homestead exemption, which provides a partial exemption from property taxes based on a home’s appraised value.

This feud is particularly noteworthy as Abbott and Patrick have typically presented a united front in public. It remains to be seen how this clash will impact their working relationship going forward.

The Washington Examiner has reached out to both Abbott and Patrick’s offices for comment.

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