State Term Limits Will Get Another Try
Term limits would change the face of the Legislature. Photo by Erik Reyna/KUT NewsAudio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
In less than a month, Texas lawmakers will convene in Austin for the 2013 legislative session. A couple of bills already filed would have a huge effect on which lawmakers get to come back in future sessions.
Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, and Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio, have each filed a bill to create term limits for elected officials. Larson’s proposal would limit all statewide elected officials and legislators to 12 years in office. Eltife’s would limit consecutive terms for statewide offices including governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.
Fifteen states have some form of term limits. Nine allow lawmakers to reach a term limit, sit out a couple of years, and then hold office again. Six have lifetime limits. Larson’s proposal would include a lifetime limit.
This is the second session in row Larson has filed a term-limits bill. The one filed in 2011 never even received a committee hearing.
The legislative session starts Jan. 8.
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