Thread by @RANewsTX

After repeated attempts by Texas Republicans this year to pass a bill increasing voting restrictions in TX, @GovAbbott is set to sign #SB1 in Tyler w/bill author @SenBryanHughes (R-Tyler) & sponsor Andrew Murr (R-Junction). Watch live here: #txlege

Looks like state Reps. @RepMattSchaefer @James_E_White, @DocAnderson4TX, @ColeHefnerTX and Keith Bell are also here. #txlege #SB1

Spotted @travisfortexas. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will be here as well. #txlege #SB1

Apologies to Sen. Hughes. Tyler is in his district but his hometown is Mineola.

https://twitter.com/RANewsTX/status/1435272155600719879

.@GovAbbott begins by saying that #SB1 increases confidence in elections. He claims it will allow every eligible voter to vote by increasing min. early voting hrs in 100+ counties. He also claims that it makes it harder to cheat on mail-in ballots. #txlege

Abbott stresses the talking points of "easier to vote, harder to cheat."

Abbott thanks Patrick, Phelan, Hughes and Murr and the #txlege for passing #SB1.

.@DanPatrick says it's not tough to vote in TX. He cites @txbiz poll showing 95% believe it's easy to vote. He claims since voting ID bill passed, "TX has increased voter turnout more than any state in the country." Claims gubernatorial turnout increased 76% from '14 to '18. #SB1

Sen. Hughes again reads sworn testimony of someone who was a victim of voter assistance fraud.

Hughes says Gov. Abbott is hands-on and is involved in all the details of the bill. #SB1 #txlege

Murr claims that #SB1 creates consistency in the election code while giving the local gov't the flexibility it needs. #txlege

Breaking: @GovAbbott has signed elections omnibus bill #SB1 into law. #txlege

For why they're in Texas for the #SB1 signing ceremony, Abbott said the lead advocate has been @SenBryanHughes. #txlege

Asked if he's concerned about legal challenges to #SB1, Abbott says he's confident that it will be upheld in the court of law. #txlege

On the school mask mandate ban, @GovAbbott says we think we have the right approach. Says parents are the ultimate decision-maker whether their child will or will not wear a mask. He doesn't want a hodgepodge/patchwork of mask policies in schools, but uniformity from Gov. #txlege

#SB1 presser is over. Thanks for following.

Few things to add. Also at the bill signing ceremony was @TexasGOP vice-chair @CatParksTX. And as for why House Speaker Phelan wasn't there:

https://twitter.com/DadePhelan/status/1435277722213834753

#txlege

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