History Of The Changes In The Constitution Of Texas

The constitution always reflects the history and state-run compositions in a particular nation. In Texas, history is reflected not only by the number of constitutions under which the administration has been administered but also the content it entails. Spain and Mexico governed Texas before it became self-governing national.

After the civil warfare, it became the 28th national to join the other states in the south and form the Confederate States of America. It became portion of the United States and was allowed to enjoy its constitution. Each of these changes in governing forced Texas to adopted a new constitution. The region has experienced a prolonged and chaotic laws, having been amended more than five hundred times.

Texas constitutional change are proposed by the state administration but can only be approved by the people who vote in an election. Specific proposed amendments can reach the three third majority in both houses, but it is the voters to decide whether to make changes by conducting a poll. In 2015, the assembly considered its 484th-time adjustment since it approved the constitution in 1986. Some modifications in the law have affected the lives of Texan people. The legislature considered seven propositions that were voted for and passed. The seven proposed modifications included property tax reduction for homeowners to give them duty relief, especially those being priced out due to an increase in property cost.

The second proportion was to disable the tax exemptions counts for veteran spouses. The adjustment had been designated in 2011, and it permitted property tax exemption for veterans. The legislature also considered a repeal of capital living necessities for statewide representatives. The measures were to permit statewide officers to live outside the state capital. The fourth was the pro-sport raffle, and charitable foundations which were given a mandate to hold humanitarian movements and help prize the winners. Infrastructure and road maintenance were proposed to be performed by small counties to help grow rural areas (Wheeler & Dallas-Fort, 2019). The legislator guaranteed Texans the right to hunt and fish. Lastly, the seventh proposal permitted the government to dedicate some more income to the public highway fund to facilitate the maintenance and construction of infrastructure in the town.

The 26th amendment gives privileges to citizens with 18 years of age to vote. A proposed change has been presented to the legislature for alterations to allow citizens with less than a year to the voting period to participate in primary elections. The amendment bill HJR37 presented to the legislature session number 86(R) by primary author Howard and other joint authors including Israel, Stickland, Miller and Bucy propose the legislature has an overall rule to provide for voting in primary election to a person who is 18 years of age or older on the date of the subsequent general election for the nation and satisfies the other applicable necessities for an eligible voter.

The amendment projected would help the younger and ambitious teenagers to participate in nominating a member who they want as they are knowledgeable about civics and have the same ability to make the right choice just like the one who has attained the age. The supporters say that the modification will attract a large number of voters. They believe the generation we are in will produce millions of new supporters who will do best for their country if the amendments are made. The opponents believe that the change will create more expenses as they will be forced to maintain two registration books for the voters. Also, running two separate elections in one period will be expensive to the government.

Some opposers say that those teenagers aren’t mature enough to participate in selecting a leader to represent them during primary election. I do think that Howard and his team are going to make it as more legislators in the house will support the draft bill. If I was a member in the senate or in the house of representative, I would vote for a yes to the bill. I do believe that an eighteen-year teenager has the same thinking capacity as that of a seventeen and half-year-old youth, and they both have the freedom to participate in the primary election (Mason & Stephenson, 2017). Had the projected bill passed the senate, I think that the supporters would have no choice but to approve it. Each person has a right to choose a leader, and I believe that the voters will be willing to pass the amendments to give the youth an opportunity.

The adjustments proposed by the legislature to the senate or the house of representative to allow teenagers who are almost eighteen years to participate in a primary election is a good idea as it will help bring changes in the electoral process. There will be an increase in voter participation because the young ones aspiring to perform their civic duty will be participating. I believe that the idea has come at the best time, and it best it passes all the process.