Texas Gov. Threatens ‘Takeover’ Of Austin Police Over Defunding Battle

TOPLINE

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) is threatening to take over the Austin Police Department to thwart the city’s attempt to reallocate $150 million in police funding—including $20 million in direct cuts to the department—amid the escalating battle over funding for police departments around the country.

KEY FACTS

CHIEF CRITIC

“Austin is the safest big city in Texas and one of the safest in the country. Public safety is our priority and we support our police,” Austin Mayor Steve Adler (D) said in a statement to Forbes Thursday. “We’re also always looking for ways for everyone to be even more safe. Not surprising the President’s rhetoric is finding its way to Texas as we get closer to November.”

TANGENT

Adler has said that “the governor didn’t know what he did,” telling Forbes in an August interview that Abbott was taking the cuts out of context, since the governor suggested major police functions had been cut, which would endanger public safety. But Adler said the only confirmed cuts are to funding for unfilled positions, overtime and three cadet classes. “The only reason to do this was to increase public safety,” Adler said, claiming that the cuts and reallocations will allow police to focus more on fighting crime, and less on things like social work. 

KEY BACKGROUND

Large cities around the U.S. have made cuts to police department budgets following calls from protesters to “defund the police,” specifically as a way to curtail systemic brutality against the Black community. At least 13 cities, including New York and Los Angeles, have announced they are defunding police departments.

FURTHER READING

Abbott Given Primer for State Takeover of Austin Police Department (Reform Austin)

Austin Hasn’t Cut $150M From Police, Mayor Says. Here’s What’s Actually Being Defunded. (Forbes)

Texas Gov. Threatens To Freeze Austin’s Taxes Over Police Funding Cuts (Forbes)

At Least 13 Cities Are Defunding Their Police Departments (Forbes)