These editorial writers can't read or think. The state didn't force Austin or other cities into a contract. The cities signed a contract to get money from the state. After they got the money, the cities refused to comply with the contract terms. Those terms include a requirement that the cities repay the state all the money they got if they don't comply with the contract. Enforcement of the contract doesn't defund police. I signed a law preventing defunding the police. Under that law the cities still have to fully fund their police--they just have to find other funds in their budgets to pay for it. If the cities didn't like the contract terms, they should have never entered into it. By the way, the contract is just one page, with clear requirements and consequences for failing to comply. As to local control, entering into the contract was a local decision. Breaching the contract is a local decision. statesman.com/opinion/editor… via @statesman