AUSTIN, Texas — Texas House Democrats and several legislative staffers are asking the Texas Supreme Court to override Gov. Greg Abbott’s line-item veto of the state budget that funds the Legislature, staffers and legislative agencies.

In a petition filed Friday, the Democratic lawmakers argued that Abbott’s decision to zero out legislative funding in the state budget is unconstitutional and sets a dangerous precedent for future state leaders. 

“Abbott’s veto is an abuse of power, an act of legislative coercion and a threat to democracy, the result of which is clear and immediate harm to the people of Texas,” said Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie and Chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus.  “The Legislature is a co-equal branch of government and the separation of powers is enshrined in our state constitution.  The governor doesn’t get to simply cancel another branch of government when he doesn’t get his way.”  

Rep. Turner put the number of affected jobs in the legislative branch at more than 2,000.

Abbott has indicated he will give lawmakers the chance to reinstate the money once they return for the special session.

Abbott’s office issued a statement Friday afternoon saying in part “the governor’s veto power is granted by the Texas Constitution, and the Texas Supreme Court has recognized that ‘the Governor has power to disapprove any bill.’”

“The Democrats’ claims about the governor’s veto ‘cancelling’ the legislative branch are misleading and misguided. The Constitution protects the legislative branch, and as the Democrats well know, their positions, their powers and their salaries are protected by the Constitution. They can continue to legislate despite the veto,” the governor’s Press Secretary Renae Eze said in a statement.

In his veto proclamation, Abbott wrote: “Funding should not be provided for those who quit their job early, leaving the state with unfinished business and exposing taxpayers to higher costs for an additional legislative session.”

The vetoed funding only applies to the next budget cycle that begins in September, meaning paychecks for Capitol staffers will continue at least until then. Lawmakers make just $600 a month in Texas — where the Legislature only meets for five months every other year — and many have well-paying careers back home. But Democrats say the veto puts at risk legislative staff whose jobs are their main source of income.

It was unclear when the court might take up the lawsuit.

The full 133-page petition along with other information can be found below: 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.