Deep-pocketed donors are ready to cover financial penalties Democrats in the Texas Legislature may face if they leave Austin to stymie Gov. Greg Abbott’s scheme to redraw the state’s congressional maps to favor Republicans, the Texas Tribune reports. If enough Dems flee the state to stop the current Legislative special session from moving ahead, each of those individual lawmakers could face a fine of $500 daily along with potential arrest. The penalties were set up in a 2023 GOP-backed state law designed to quash future walkouts by the opposition party.
