How is the Texas Constitution changed? (essay, 3-5 pages)
How
has the Texas Constitution changed? – ESSAY
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.
This
year, the legislature was able to reach a 2/3 majority in the House and Senate
for seven proposed changes. Voters had an opportunity to decide whether not to
make each change last month in the November 3 election.
One
measure, Proposition 6, was written to give Texans a constitutional right to
hunt and fish.
Texans
can already hunt and fish, but this amendment was presented as a preventive
measure from any possible legislative action that could limit the right.
Supporters are worried about possible pressure from animal rights or
environmental groups.
The
amendment says hunting and fishing is the preferred way for Texans to maintain
and conserve wildlife. Critics say that could cause confusion about endangered,
threatened or non-game species, some of which are protected by federal and
state laws.
What
do you think?
Write
an essay (3 – 5 pages, double-spaced – MLA format, cited sources). Make sure
your essay tells your reader:
1. The number and author of
the joint resolution proposing this amendment.
2. What the proposed amendment
would do.
3. Arguments for and against.
4. Who you think might have
been for it and against it (Hint: see who testified at the hearing, and who
they represented).
5. Why you think it was a good
idea or a bad idea.
6. What did Texas voters
decide?
Submit
in Word. Cite your sources.
Resources
For
this assignment, read the House Research Organization’s report on Proposition
6: http://www.hro.house.state.tx.us/pdf/focus/amend84.pdf
If
you need more, look at the Texas Legislative Council’s version, too: http://www.tlc.state.tx.us/pubsconamend/analyses15/analyses15.pdf
The
Texas Tribune tells how the election came out: http://www.texastribune.org/2015/11/03/texas-statewide-2015-election-results/
