Democratic candidate for Texas governor Gina Hinojosa is claiming incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott is dragging his feet on measures to save Texans money at the pump.
Following James Talarico’s call for federal gas tax relief, Gina Hinojosa held a news conference Thursday, April 23, calling on Abbott to use his emergency powers to suspend the state gas tax immediately, which costs consumers an estimated $8 million per day.
The Hinojosa campaign contended Abbott has unilateral authority to suspend regulatory statutes during a declared disaster. Among that authority is the ability to suspend the state’s roughly 20-cent-per-gallon tax.
“Washington needs to act to bring down gas prices, but right now, Greg Abbott has the power to make gas 20 cents cheaper for every Texan driving to work,” Hinojosa said during the news conference. “Abbott uses his office for political theater, the only question is whether he’ll use it to help working families. Texans are drowning right now; they deserve a governor who will provide a lifeline.”
Throughout the campaign, she has argued that Abbott has done little to help Texans amid rising costs for utilities, health care and gas.
Gov. Greg Abbott doubles down on support for ICE operations
In a social media post on Wednesday, April 22, Abbott again backed Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Houston after the city passed an ordinance they would not support ICE operations.
In response, Abbott threatened to withhold state funding for the city if it continued to not cooperate with federal law enforcement. A contract was to be signed by both city officials and the city police department to assist ICE.
“As we’re speaking right now, the Houston Police Department has not fully agreed to comply with that very same contract,” Abbott said in the clip from a Fox News interview. “If they don’t comply with the terms of that agreement to detain any illegal immigrant they encounter and notify DHS, then the city still stands to lose $110 million.”
The Houston City Council has amended its ordinance to comply with federal law enforcement, Abbott claimed, thus they would still qualify for the state funds. Yet the contract also stipulated city police would also have to sign.
Important dates for 2026 Texas election
The last day to register to vote for the General Election is Oct. 5, either online, by mail, or in person.
Early voting starts Oct. 19 and runs through Oct. 30. The absentee ballot request deadline is Oct. 23, by mail or Oct. 19, in person. The absentee ballot return deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 3, by mail or in person on Election Day.
Tuesday, Nov. 3, is Election Day in Texas.
Kristian Jaime is the Top Story Reporter for the El Paso Times and is reachable at Kjaime@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Gina Hinojosa on gas, Gov. Greg Abbott on ICE in Texas governor’s race
Reporting by Kristian Jaime, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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