Texas Gov. Abbott signs legislation penalizing cities that defund the police

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation Tuesday that will penalize cities and counties that defund their police departments.

Defunded municipalities will have their property tax revenue withheld, and all profits will then be distributed to the Texas Department of Public Safety to pay for "state resources used to protect residents." "The men and women of law enforcement put their lives on the line every day to keep Texans safe, and they deserve our enduring support and gratitude," Abbott said in a statement Tuesday. "Efforts to defund the police are downright dangerous, and these laws will prevent cities from making this reckless decision."