Beginning September 1, there will be no pay for the Texas legislature. Gov. Greg Abbott’s unprecedented veto is prompting questions about the separation of powers in the state. As state Democrats explore legal options to fight back against Abbott’s retaliatory move, some legislative staffers are on edge.

Fresh off the defeat of two of his legislative priorities Sunday night when Democrats abandoned the Texas House to block a sweeping elections bill, Gov. Greg Abbott flexed his executive muscle Monday — vowing to defund a co-equal branch of government while raising questions about the separation of powers in Texas.

Across the chamber, skeptical lawmakers from both parties lined up to ask Murphy about his legislation. They offered amendments that stripped away its new business-friendly provisions and even proposed letting voters approve each tax break — a move that was unheard of in the history of Chapter 313, which is named after its place in…