WATCH LIVE: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to sign pledge against police budget cuts

SAN ANTONIO – Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to sign a pledge that opposes cuts to police budgets on Thursday afternoon.

A livestream of the news conference, which happens at 2 p.m., will be placed in this article. If there is not a livestream available, check back at a later time.

Abbott announced the effort on Wednesday, calling on Texas candidates running in the upcoming election to support police departments and their funding.

“Some cities in Texas want to defund and dismantle police departments in our state,” Abbott said in a YouTube video. “This reckless action invites crime into our communities and threatens the safety of all Texans including our law enforcement officers and their families.”

The pledge comes amid nationwide calls to defund the police after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and protests of racial injustice, system racism and police brutality.

Last month, the Austin City Council approved cutting about one-third of next year’s $434 million police budget.

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