Greg Abbott Wishes He Could Defund Schools

This is the Texas Education Agency’s “guidance” to public schools. It’s good to see @AustinISD pushing back against this nonsense, but it’s also a sad reminder of the state-imposed limits on what school districts that *want* to take #COVID seriously are actually allowed to do. https://t.co/q9I2y8zOhW

— Steve Vladeck (@steve_vladeck) August 7, 2021

Most of Abbott's limits are, IMHLO, unenforceable and in fact invalid. His executive order threatens fines, but his power is not legislative. As Governor he has no authority to levy fines by fiat or to establish (effectively) laws with criminal penalties. I’m also quite sure he has no authority over school districts, cities, or counties, under Texas law or its constitution.

The one case that challenged his authority went against him. He’s really not on strong legal ground.

He doesn’t care. He’s appeasing his base. The rest of us be damned.