In: Psychology
Describe the sessions and salaries in the Texas state legislature. Explain how a bill becomes a law. In your opinion, does our state legislature work for the needs of the citizens of Texans? What reforms, if any, would you suggest?
Describe the sessions and salaries in the Texas state legislature.
Sessions: The Legislature of the State of Texas, operating under the biennial system, convenes its regular sessions at noon on the second Tuesday in January of odd-numbered years. The maximum duration of a regular session is 140 days.
Salaries: State legislators in Texas make $600 per month, or $7,200 per year, plus a per diem of $190 for every day the Legislature is in session (also including any special sessions). That adds up to $33,800 a year for a regular session (140 days), with the total pay for a two-year term being $41,000.
Explain how a bill becomes a law.
A bill is signed by the Lt. Governor in presence of the Senate. It is sent to the Governor who signs or refuses to sign, and it becomes a law. If the Governor vetoes the bill, it does not become a law unless the two-thirds majority vote of House and Senate overrides the veto and passes the bill.
In your opinion, does our state legislature work for the needs of the citizens of Texans?
Yes, our state legislature works for the needs of the citizens of Texans.
What reforms, if any, would you suggest?
Constitutionally, the Texas Legislature has to meet for 140 calendar days every other year. That means after candidates are elected in the November of a year ending in an even number, the following January, they work for about five months out of the year. When it's over, they won't see another session until almost two years later.
This scenario should be changed and effective working days of legislators should be increased so that more bills may be passed and more development activities happen in Texas.
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Thank you!!!