Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced a legislative priority to create a statewide prosecutor position, with the authority to intervene in local cases, particularly targeting Travis County District Attorney José Garza. Under the plan, the statewide prosecutor would monitor cases to ensure they are handled within 90-day deadlines. The proposal is partly in response to reports that Garza's felony prosecutors routinely failed to indict cases within 90 days.
Abbott said he wants the authority to appoint the statewide prosecutor, subject to confirmation by the Texas Senate. The effort represents Abbott’s latest focus on Garza, a progressive prosecutor who took office in 2021.
Garza accused Abbott of a "political stunt" and said his office has worked on programs to improve community safety. He acknowledged "oversights" by his office that contributed to the missed deadlines but said changes have been made internally.
Abbott's proposal is part of a larger package of legislative priorities aimed at prosecutors and criminal justice, including adding prosecutors to the list of impeachable elected officials and denying bail to undocumented immigrants charged with felonies.
Legal experts have raised early questions about whether the plan could violate the state Constitution, but Abbott said the state has the authority to expand prosecutorial powers, including establishing the regions of the state's jurisdiction.