Texas Constitution Assignment
How is the Texas Constitution changed?
As you’ve read in your text, changes to the Texas Constitution are proposed by the state legislature, but can only be approved by a majority vote in a statewide election. In 2013, the Texas Legislature voted to propose 10 amendments, which were all approved by voters.
One major issue, transportation, took until a third special session last summer for legislators to agree on a plan. The proposal adopted by legislators was adopted by voters in November, 2014.
What changes will the legislature propose to voters this year?
For this assignment, go first to the Texas Legislature’s website:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/
As you’ve learned from your reading, state constitutional amendments must be passed by a 2/3 vote of both the Texas House and the Texas Senate before they can be submitted to the people for a vote. A proposed amendment is submitted to the legislature as a “joint resolution” (H.J.R. if the author is a representative, S.J.R. if the author is a senator).
Find the current session of the legislature (use the little pull down menu where it says “Legislature:” to find “84(R) – 2015” if it’s not already on that. Look up H.J.R. 34 by Representative Garnet Coleman (D-Houston), a proposed constitutional amendment about marriage in Texas. Write a 2 – 5 page essay about this proposed change to our state constitution. Make sure your essay tells your reader
The number and author of the joint resolution proposing this amendment.
What the proposed amendment would do.
Arguments for and against.
Who you think might be for it and against it.
Why you think it’s a good idea or a bad idea.
Do you think the legislature will vote to propose it to voters?
If so, what do you think Texas voters will decide?
Submit in Word. Cite your source.
Resources
Houston blogger Charles Kuffner has a pretty good background piece on the issue from the liberal perspective: http://offthekuff.com/wp/?p=63804
The U.S. Supreme Court may make this a moot point before it ever gets to Texas voters:http://www.forbes.com/sites/ilyashapiro/2015/01/17/did-supreme-court-telegraph-its-ultimate-ruling-on-gay-marriage/ , and http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/01/16/supreme-court-gay-marriage/21867355/
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