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Legislature

Republican lawmaker calls for special session to limit governor's powers

Less than 24 hours after Democrat Gina Hinojosa was elected governor, Republican House Rep. Brian Harrison called on Gov. Greg Abbott to convene a special legislative session to restrict the governor's emergency powers before Hinojosa takes office.

Where
Statewide
When
Nov. 3, 2026
Sources
Reported by 13 outlets

Taxes and money

None stated in sources.

Does this affect you?

Who's involved

  • Brian HarrisonRepublican Texas House Representative, Ellis County
  • Greg AbbottGovernor of Texas
  • Gina HinojosaGovernor-elect of Texas
  • Nathan JohnsonAttorney General-elect of Texas

The facts

  • Democrat Gina Hinojosa became governor-elect of Texas on Nov. 3, 2026.2
  • Hinojosa defeated three-term Republican Governor Greg Abbott.2
  • This is the first time since 1995 a Democrat will hold Texas's top office.2
  • Hinojosa is the first Latina to become Texas governor.2
  • Harrison previously authored a bill in 2022 seeking to limit the governor's power.2
  • Republican lawmakers also called on Abbott to prohibit the governor from suspending or modifying statutes.2

Who said what

These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.

  • Brian Harrison Abbott should convene legislature to prevent Hinojosa from inheriting dictatorial powers.2
  • Nathan Johnson Harrison's statement is irresponsible and reflects willingness to use illegitimate means to retain power.2

How they headlined it

The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.

  • When does Gina Hinojosa take office as Texas governor? Here's when she'll be sworn in

    KVUE

  • Texas Republican lawmaker calls for special session before Gina Hinojosa takes office

    WOAI, KABB

  • Republican lawmaker suggests Abbott strip governor's emergency powers before Hinojosa takes office

    FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth, AOL.com

  • This GOP lawmaker wants to rein in Gina Hinojosa's governor powers. Can he?

    Houston Chronicle

  • Texas GOP lawmaker wants to limit governor's powers after Hinojosa win

    USA Today

  • Will Texas Republicans meet for a special session to limit Hinojosa’s power as governor?

    Dallas News

  • Texas GOP Lawmaker Wants Abbott to Strip Emergency Powers Before Hinojosa Takes Office

    Hoodline

  • Texas Republican Calls For Special Session To Curb Emergency Powers Before Hinojosa Takes Office

    Dallas Express

Sources

Outlets: 2 not rated Who's covering Texas →

These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.

  1. Texas Republican lawmaker calls for special session before Gina Hinojosa takes office KABB Not rated, November 4, 2026
  2. Republican lawmaker suggests Abbott strip governor's emergency powers before Hinojosa takes office FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth Not rated, November 4, 2026

Also reported by KVUE, WOAI, AOL.com, Houston Chronicle, USA Today, Dallas News, Hoodline, Dallas Express, kens5.com, Click2Houston, San Antonio Current, Newsweek, Townhall, The New York Times.

This sheet was written by AI from the sources above and adds nothing they don't state. Read the originals for full context.

Spot an error on this sheet?

All corrections and updates

Keep reading

Texas Democrats file bills on Medicaid, wages, ICE agreements as session opens

Democrats in the Texas Legislature filed legislation Monday as bill filing opened for the 2027 session. Proposals included Medicaid expansion, minimum wage increases, ending data center tax breaks, banning Flock cameras, repealing ICE partnership requirements for sheriffs, forbidding border wall construction at state parks, ending school vouchers, boosting per-pupil school funding, legalizing marijuana, and building high-speed rail from Dallas to San Antonio.

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Reported by 5 outletsFound via Google News

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up to $10 billion a year for medicaid expansion federal funding

Gina Hinojosa, Gov.-elect; Vikki Goodwin, Lt. Gov.-elect; Senfronia Thompson, Democratic Rep., longest-serving woman and longest-serving Black legislator in any state and 3 more

Reported by 13 outletsOnly left-leaning outlets reported thisFound via Google News

Man arrested and charged in Gaines County homicide

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$750,000 for bond

Matthew Shane Zachary, Suspect arrested and charged with murder; Gaines County Sheriff's Office, Law enforcement investigating homicide; Texas Department of Public Safety Texas Rangers, Leading the investigation

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Texas governor-elect proposes new rules for data center operations

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Gina Hinojosa, Texas governor-elect; Jake Tapper, CNN interviewer

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

T. Cullen Davis, Texas oil tycoon, dies at 93

T. Cullen Davis, a Texas oil tycoon acquitted in 1970s murder and murder-for-hire trials, died Friday at his Fort Worth-area home. He was 93.

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Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

El Paso sheriff arrests man in $155,000 cargo theft investigation

El Paso County Sheriff's Office arrested 38-year-old Laron Lenard Watts and charged him with theft of property valued at $150,000 or more after he reportedly refused to return a shipment of fiber-optic cable, trailer, and container worth $155,000 total following a payment dispute.

$155,000 for estimated value of property (shipping container, trailer chassis, fiber-optic cable)

Laron Lenard Watts, 38-year-old man arrested and charged with theft; El Paso County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement agency conducting investigation and making arrest

Reported by 3 outletsFound via Google News

Texas considers pause on new data center permits amid grid study

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Governor Greg Abbott, Governor; Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), Grid operator; Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), Regulatory body and 2 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

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