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Term Limits Measure Passes Texas Senate

Filipa Rodrigues, KUT News

Texas voters are one step closer to deciding whether some state officials should face term limits. The Texas Senate approved a measure today that would limit the governor, lieutenant governor and other statewide office holders to just two consecutive terms in office. The rule would not apply to state lawmakers or judges, according to this Senate Research Center analysis.

State Senator Craig Estes (R-Wichita) was among a handful of lawmakers who voted against the resolution. 

“We already have term limits. It’s called the ballot box. It’s called an election," he argued from the Senate floor. The bill's author, State Sen. Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) countered that voters would have a say by voting in a referendum on term limits. 

If the proposed constitutional amendment passes the Texas House and is approved by the Governor, it would go to the voters for final approval. 

Nathan Bernier is the transportation reporter at KUT. He covers the big projects that are reshaping how we get around Austin, like the I-35 overhaul, the airport's rapid growth and the multibillion dollar transit expansion Project Connect. He also focuses on the daily changes that affect how we walk, bike and drive around the city. Got a tip? Email him at nbernier@kut.org. Follow him on Twitter @KUTnathan.
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