Greg Abbott revived a so-called "bathroom bill" targeting transgender people Tuesday a week after the last try collapsed when powerful social conservatives deadlocked with Republican moderates backing business opponents such as Google, Facebook and the NFL. The decision was a significant political test for Abbott, who is up for re-election in 2018 and didn't begin publicly supporting a "bathroom bill" until weeks after the last legislative session started in January. Abbott said a so-called bathroom bill must, at the least, "protects the privacy of our children" in public schools. Dan Patrick, who chaired President Donald Trump's campaign in Texas last year, and pushed North Carolina-style bathroom restrictions to the forefront last session. The special session begins July 18 and opponents pounced on Abbott for reigniting the divisive effort.

Source: Fox News June 06, 2017 20:48 UTC