by Austin, Texas Senator Nathan Johnson (D-Dallas) introduced Senate Joint Resolution 4, which would limit statewide elected officials to two terms in office, in defiance of the governor’s demand for a special session. Johnson’s plan is a mirror of legislation from 2013, which was written by Republican Senator Kevin Eltife and co-authored by then-Senator and current Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, as well as current Democratic Senator Juan Hinojosa and Republican Senators Charles Schwertner and Robert Nichols. The Senate approved the bill 27–4, while the House rejected it.Johnson claimed that he filed the measure even though the governor has not called for term limits because, following the most recent round of additions to the already overburdened special session, it is reasonable to argue that the governor has gone rogue. He is conducting extraordinary sessions as though the Legislature were made up of his staff members, there to further his political goals regardless of their personal beliefs or the harm to the state.
This is the result of giving one person excessive power for an extended period of time. Abbott has been in power since 2014, and a fourth term would give him 16 more years to dominate state bureaucracy and the enormous amount of money that comes with it for political campaigns.Over the years, the Republican majority has repeatedly given over its legislative authority and role to the executive branch. By utilizing special sessions to force through whatever his pollsters recommend will appease contributors and primary election base supporters, the governor now feels entitled to rule by fiat. Respect for the legislative branch and their relationship with their constituents has vanished.This is an unfavorable historical aberration. In the past, legislatures aggressively defended their authority. Republican majority voluntarily cede it today. I do wonder if they are really happy to upset the delicate balance of power that our Framers so meticulously established.If the executive branch is granted limitless tenure, there is no chance of limited government.
Concerning Senator Nathan Johnson: In Senate District 16, Senator Nathan Johnson speaks for over a million people in Dallas County. He is a member of the Senate’s Business and Commerce, Economic Development, Transportation, Jurisprudence (Vice-Chair), and Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs committees.
