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Texas House Democrats’ walkout costing taxpayers $43,000 a day
State Attorney General Ken Paxton on Saturday reiterated what Gov. Greg Abbott has pledged: Democrats who left the state to break quorum can be arrested as soon as they return to Texas.

The more than 60 Texas House Democrats who walked out of a special legislative session could be costing taxpayers up to $43,000 a day, one lawmaker estimates.

Texas Speaker of the House Dade Phelan has demanded that the truant Democrats return the $221 a day they earn during a legislative session. These per diem payments, combined with the regular salary they would normally receive, if it were to be restored, costs taxpayers $7,230 per legislator during the 30 days of the special session while they remain in Washington, D.C.

Rep. Jared Patterson (R-Frisco) estimates that the Democratic standstill is costing taxpayers $43,000 a day. On top of this, their staff members are not being paid.

The Democratic lawmakers boarded chartered private planes July 12 to Washington, D.C., where they remain. The charter flights cost $100,000.

The Democrats’ trip was paid for by Powered By People, an election group run by former Rep. Beto O’Rourke. The group has raised more than $500,000 as of last week.

Some have vowed to stay in Washington, D.C., for the rest of the special session, which lasts for 30 days, through Aug. 11. However, even if they remain outside of Texas for the entire special session, Abbott said he will call another 30-day session in August and continue to do so until the legislature finishes its job. Only the governor can call a special session. He can call concurrent special sessions as many times as he wants, according to the state constitution.

https://justthenews.com/nation/states/democratic-walkout-costing-taxpayers-43000-day