Texas Government - Essay Example

May 24 Should the Texas Legislature continue to serve as a part-time lawmaking body, only meeting in regular sessionfor 140 days every two years, or should it change to a full-time body meeting in regular session each year?The limitation of biennial regular sessions in Texas Constitution forces the state government at times to go for constitutional amendment process rather than facilitate lawmaking through regular legislative procedures. The specified duration for procedures, such as initiation of bills, committee operations and floor action, affects the formal and informal factors which influence legislation.

For instance, the power of the governor, presiding officers and lobbyists is substantially increased because of inadequate duration for detailed scrutiny of bills. Shorter sessions also do not provide with a favorable environment for raising issues and encourage delaying tactics until an adverse situation develops. Despite several changes in particularities of legislative sessions over the years, the proposed amendments providing for annual sessions have been repeatedly rejected by the voters to prevent increased government power and spending estimated at over $40 million.

However, a careful consideration of aforementioned prospects and consequences suggests that the sessions should be allowed annually to remove the obstacles to effective governance practices. A deviation from such conservative political culture has its economic costs but would probably improve the ability of state to provide for public services, settling the spending in the longer run (Newell et al., 50, 170). 2. Should the $7,200 annual salary for Texas legislators be lowered, maintained, or increased?

Along with six other states, the salaries of Texas legislators are set through constitutional amendments. However, the $7,200 annual salary for Texas legislators has remained constant since 1975. Texas is the second largest state after California in terms of population, but this figure is 13 times lower as compared to California. It is even lower than half of the federal minimum estimated for a family of four to stay above poverty level. Legislators also receive a per day allowance during the regular or special sessions for covering expenses.

They are also entitled to mileage allowance, state apartments and allowance for up-to 12 days per month while serving on state board/council or carrying out legislative work between sessions. The Ethics Commission, under a 1991 state constitution amendment, is empowered to increase daily allowances and constitute a citizen advisory board for proposing changes in legislative salaries to voters. Although the per day allowances are among the highest in states, but no board has been formed to recommend salary changes because of consistent refusal of voters.

The salaries of legislators should be increased as lower salaries make legislators vulnerable to lobbyists, force them to look for alternative ways of earning, and may divert their attention from legislative issues (Newell et al., 50, 177). 3. The Texas governor is elected to a four-year term and there are no term limits on how many terms or years one person can serve as the state’s chief executive. Should term limits be implemented to restrict the total number of terms or years one person can serve as Texas governor?

Along with other constitutional limitations, the Texas governor enjoys limited powers because of a plural executive. Although the provision of a four-year term with no term limits has strengthened the Texas governor’s position to a greater extent, it is still below average in terms of powers and ranked 40th among states. The supporters of term-limits consider them as effective means to rebuild public confidence in legislative bodies which have increasingly become isolated and indifferent to public concerns.

The opponents, on the other hand, hold legislators responsible in this regard for lack of policy expertise, and see term-limits as artificial and unreasonable excuse for getting rid of a popular legislator. Moreover, they view them as fundamentally undemocratic as voters are deprived of free-choice by elimination of popular candidates. The term-limit was in fact extended from two to four years in 1972 in response to a public reaction. In addition to the statement by opponents of term-limits, “We have term limits now.

Just ask any incumbent defeated in the last election” (Newell et al., 51, 170, 225), restrictions on terms would further weaken the position of Texas governor and are therefore not recommended. ReferencesNewell, Charldean, David Prindle, and James Riddlesperger. Custom CTC - Texas Politics. 12th ed. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning, 2012. e-Book.