Bill limiting Gov. Abbott's powers during pandemic also voids most local rules FacebookTwitterEmail In a Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, ruling that overturned two lower courts, the Texas Supreme Court upheld an order by Gov. Greg Abbott, here in a file image, that will limit counties to one mail-in ballot drop-off location. (Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman/TNS)RICARDO B. BRAZZIELL, FILE / TNS The authors of the Pandemic Response Act aimed at first to limit Gov. Greg Abbott’s powers during such public health crises and give the Legislature more say in how to manage them. But the heavily amended version that received initial approval from the Texas House on Monday would also constrain local government officials with the same zeal.