No work? No Pay. It’s a concept introduced to many of us as children while being assigned chores by our parents. Evidently, the concept did not stick with the dozens of Democrat quorum busters.
After weeks of delay, Texas House Democrats are trickling back into Austin, finally restoring a quorum in the chamber. Their absence left the Legislature paralyzed, costing Texans both in wasted time and wasted money. By some estimates, the quorum break racked up hundreds of thousands of dollars in per diems, staff salaries, utilities, and security costs in just the first ten days. If it had stretched much longer, taxpayers would have been on the hook for millions in unnecessary expenses.
The costs to taxpayers expand when you consider inaction on key items on the call for both the first and second special sessions: Property tax relief and a ban on taxpayer funded lobbying.
The urgency behind these issues couldn’t be higher. Local governments should not be able to use our tax dollars to hire lobbyists who fight against taxpayers at the Capitol. Additionally, with property taxes still crushing Texas homeowners and small businesses, lowering the burden must remain front and center.
One consequence of the quorum break has been renewed focus on the perks Democrat leaders continue to enjoy (despite not being elected to a majority)—especially vice-chairmanships. These positions, now mandated to be given to the minority party as a “gesture of bipartisanship,” come with $5,000 per month in extra stipends for office budgets. Nearly 30 Democrats currently hold those posts, meaning taxpayers are shelling out about $150,000 every single month, or $1.8 million annually, to fund vice-chairs. The kicker? They collect those stipends while simultaneously refusing to show up for work. That is unacceptable.
Republican leadership has an opportunity to send a strong message: if you abandon your post, you forfeit the privileges that come with it. Stripping Democrat vice-chairs of their stipends is not just “punishment,” it’s accountability. Taxpayers should not have to bankroll legislators who walk out on their responsibilities.
The quorum break reminded Texans just how much is at stake when lawmakers put politics above people. It delayed important reforms, wasted taxpayer dollars, and eroded trust in the process. Texans expect results, not excuses. With quorum finally restored, the time for delay is over. The House must get back to work—and finally pass meaningful property tax reform and a blanket ban on taxpayer funded lobbying.
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