Gregory Abbott Hypocrisy
Hypocrisy is the modus operandi of Greg Abbott. He championed legislation that limited lawsuit awards 10 years ago even as he took advantage of those laws. The stories continue to mount.
The Wendy Davis campaign released the following press release.
Senator Wendy Davis today held a press conference with Representative Senfronia Thompson in Austin Texas to call out Greg Abbott for giving himself two pay hikes, even though his office went to court to fight equal pay for equal work.
Since 2005, Abbott took two taxpayer-funded raises that increased his annual salary by nearly 62 percent. In 2005, he raised his salary from $92,000 to $125,000. In 2007, he accepted yet another pay raise to $150,000 a year.
“This is a question of basic economic fairness and about having a governor who will fight for all hardworking Texans,” said Senator Wendy Davis. “As Attorney General, Greg Abbott took huge pay raises while he fought against equal pay for equal work. Texas needs a governor who is singularly focused on making sure our kids are getting a 21st century education, and we have an economy and jobs we need for tomorrow. Equal pay for equal work is at the heart of making sure Texas continues to lead.”
“Texans deserve a Governor who listens, a Governor who understands that equal work is worth equal pay, a Governor who will fight every day for every woman, man and child in Texas, not just the privileged few,” said Representative Senfronia Thompson.
In the Senate, Senator Davis led the fight to pass the Texas Equal Pay Act, which Representative Thompson authored. In 2011, Greg Abbott’s office fought against equal pay in a court case in which he defended Prairie View A&M University in a lawsuit by a professor who faced pay discrimination.
“In a Davis administration, I will sign the Texas Equal Pay Act the minute it hits my desk,” Senator Davis said.
In addition to taking the hefty pay increases, Abbott has asked the state legislature to increase his budget nearly every year since taking office in 2003. Today, the Attorney General’s office spends more than a half billion dollars annually.
Abbott’s Pay Raises:
- 2005: Abbott took a pay increase from $92,000 to $125,000 (The Dallas Morning News, “Pay Raise Offer Puts Elected State Officials on the Spot,” June 30, 2005)
- 2007: Abbott took $25,000 pay raise from $125,000 to $150,000 (The Dallas Morning News,
“Officials Beg Off Big Raises: Perry, 2 Other Leaders Decline Pay Hikes Dwarfing State Workers’ Meager Gains,” June 7, 2007)
Background on Abbott’s Courtroom Battle Against Texas Equal Pay
Click here for a link to the full Case: https://www.supreme.courts.state.tx.us/historical/2012/aug/100353.pdf
Abbott against Equal Pay for Women
- “Abbott has voiced support for equal pay, but has not said whether he would have vetoed the state version of the federal Lilly Ledbetter law.” [Houston Chronicle, Peggy Fikac, 3.10.14]
- “The limits of the federal protections are highlighted in a 2011 case in which the attorney general’s office, under Abbott, defended Prairie View A&M University in a state lawsuit brought by a professor who alleged discriminatory pay.” [Houston Chronicle, Peggy Fikac, 3.10.14]
- “The Abbott campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the lawsuit and Davis’ statement.” [Houston Chronicle, Peggy Fikac, 3.10.14]
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