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Statewide Amendment 12 - AGAINST
Texas

Statewide Amendment 12 - AGAINST

proposition

Texas Abolish Galveston County Treasurer Amendment

(HJR 134): Providing for the abolition of the office of county treasurer in Galveston County. Where's the separation of powers in the county?

House Analysis

Assertions

MCTP Position: Source

Submitted by john wertz on 2023-10-01 19:14:00

Major Issues

Texas Scorecard has consolidated the recommendations for voting on the upcoming state constitutional amendments.October 7, 2023

Mark Ramsey 2023 Amendments Analysis - AGAINST

Not a statewide issue. Making an elected position appointed (and hence concentrating power more) is rarely a good move. Treasurers can be an effective check on Commissioners Courts.

JoAnn Fleming's "GRASSROOTS AMERICA We The People" '

"Voters, beware!  You are being used to grow government! Here’s how."

Current Revolt Position

What’s up with these one-off county amendments? This is a troubling trend. Once a state figures out it can have the entire state vote on county-specific amendments, things get weird real quick. This is how Alabama’s constitution got so out of control.

VERDICT: LOL

MCRP Position

A “yes” vote supports amending the State Constitution to provide for the abolishment of the Galveston County Treasurer and authorizing the county to employ or contract a qualified person or designate another county officer to fulfill the function previously performed by the Treasurer. 

A “no” vote opposes amending the State Constitution to provide for the abolishment of the Galveston County Treasurer. The actual wording of the amendment is:

The office of County Treasurer in Galveston County is abolished. The Commissioners Court of Galveston County may employ or contract with a qualified person or may designate another county officer to perform any of the functions that would have been performed by the County Treasurer if the office had not been abolished.

TEMPORARY PROVISION. (a) The Constitutional Amendment proposed by the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, abolishing the office of County Treasurer in Galveston County takes effect only if, at the statewide election at which the amendment is submitted to and approved by the voters, a majority of the voters of Galveston County voting on the question at that election also favor the amendment. The amendment takes effect January 1, 2024, if the conditions of this subsection are met.

(b) This temporary provision expires January 2, 2024. [3]

The present office holder, Hank Dugie, ran on the abolishment of this office. According to Dugie, the office is not needed. An abc13online article by Courtney Carpenter posted on Jan. 6, 2023, stated that the county could save approximately $500,000 a year by abolishing the position.

Interesting Note: Although the entire state votes on the amendment, the temporary provision states that unless the voters of Galveston County approve the amendment, it does not become law, regardless of the statewide vote.

This amendment was HJR 134 from the regular legislative session.

Recommendation: YES, remembering the ultimate choice belongs to Galveston County voters.