Changing the Laws of Texas

[TEX]

How do you change laws in Texas from a citizen’s efforts other than asking your representative to introduce a bill. I don’t believe Texas has “direct initiative” where a petition that receives the required number of signatures automatically qualifies to be put on the ballot, and assume Texas has an “indirect initiative” system whereby, after receiving the specific number of signatures, the legislature decides if the measure will go on the ballot.

If we have the latter system, exactly what are the steps or mechanics to accomplishing this.

If we don't have a system remotely like this, what do we have and how does it work?

Any info or direction to a good web page would be greatly appreciated.

[KLB]

No initiative in Texas. At a minimum you need a friendly legislator. Better that you have a powerful trade or similar group able to donate oodles of cash, plus friendly legislators--though the cash helps in the latter department.

[Jusme]

Without more information, your question is difficult to answer. Changing an existing law, is difficult, even if there is an overwhelming majority of the people in one district, that want to change it.
First you need to be able to understand the entire history of the law you wish to change, why was it enacted, when was it enacted, what events, or political landscape, prompted the law to be written in the first place etc. You will then need to demonstrate the reasons, you want the law to be changed. Laws effect everyone, sometimes in different ways, so "because me and my neighbors don't like it" is not going to get you very far.
Meet with the representatives in your district, either at the Capitol,or in their district office(s). explain your reasons for wanting the change, bring any and all petitions, affidavits, examples, of how the law has negatively effected you and others, etc. Then ask your representatives, how they think you should proceed, their opinions, on the proposed changes, and any additional changes they feel would be viable. This is a very condensed version of how you may want to proceed, and don't expect quick answers, or a quick turnaround. Legislative sessions, have a huge number of bills, proposed bills, referendums, etc, long before the session starts, so unless you have major support from several districts, the chances are, you proposed changes, may never see the floor in the Capitol. If you are determined, and can garner enough support from others, you can effect change, but it takes a lot of work, dedication, and research. You may also have to deal with representatives, who even if they support you proposals, will lose a re-election bid. That's the nature of the beast.

[anygunanywhere]

Get elected to office and git-er-done.

[TEX]

Never though it would be easy. Let me rephrase the question. What does it take petition wise to force something onto the ballot, like can be done in California, or is that option denied to Texans. I am not taking about changing a law, but actually creating one.

[The Annoyed Man]

Never though it would be easy. Let me rephrase the question. What does it take petition wise to force something onto the ballot, like can be done in California, or is that option denied to Texans. I am not taking about changing a law, but actually creating one.

Having lived most of my life in California, until moving here in 2006, believe me, you don't want the kind of initiative system California has. It has been a freaking nightmare......particularly in regard to the rights of citizens.

If Texas ever enacts a similar system, it will be the beginning of its long downhill slide into Californianism.

[TexasJohnBoy]

The legislative process in Texas is designed to be difficult, for a reason. Changing or creating laws should not be easy.

[The Annoyed Man]

The legislative process in Texas is designed to be difficult, for a reason. Changing or creating laws should not be easy.

It's like the Constitution. It should be difficult to change for any number of reasons - not the least of which is to dampen the effects of tyranny. It also makes it harder to flip flop back and forth on laws. Law-makers find it easy to "send messages" and to burden the citizenry with lots of laws, partly because it justifies their existences. One of the things that I flat LOVE about Texas is that its legislature only meets on odd numbered years. It drastically lowers the opportunities for mischief at the taxpayers' expense. The initiative process in California completely removes the elected representation from the process of legislating, and, it makes it too easy to pass things. Sometimes that's good, but more often than not, it is bad - particularly when ballot initiatives involve budgetary matters. The voters will vote themselves almost any largess at the expense of the state, when all law is decided by direct ballot.

[TexasJohnBoy]

The legislative process in Texas is designed to be difficult, for a reason. Changing or creating laws should not be easy.

It's like the Constitution. It should be difficult to change for any number of reasons - not the least of which is to dampen the effects of tyranny. It also makes it harder to flip flop back and forth on laws. Law-makers find it easy to "send messages" and to burden the citizenry with lots of laws, partly because it justifies their existences. One of the things that I flat LOVE about Texas is that its legislature only meets on odd numbered years. It drastically lowers the opportunities for mischief at the taxpayers' expense. The initiative process in California completely removes the elected representation from the process of legislating, and, it makes it too easy to pass things. Sometimes that's good, but more often than not, it is bad - particularly when ballot initiatives involve budgetary matters. The voters will vote themselves almost any largess at the expense of the state, when all law is decided by direct ballot.

Not only every other year, but for a defined finite amount of time for each session!

I swear it feels like D.C. is never out of session.

[C-dub]

It's not supposed to be easy. That's why obummer has done things through executive whatevers and gotten the epa and other various agencies to do so much damage with regulations. In order to circumvent the law making process when they didn't have a super majority in congress.

[The Wall]

It's not supposed to be easy. That's why obummer has done things through executive whatevers and gotten the epa and other various agencies to do so much damage with regulations. In order to circumvent the law making process when they didn't have a super majority in congress.

Exactly right!

[The Wall]

Talking to your legislatures is mostly a waste of time more than likely. They have their own agendas and special interest. If it's not their idea then it's not a good idea attitudes. That's what Trump is fighting against.

[KLB]

Talking to your legislatures is mostly a waste of time more than likely. They have their own agendas and special interest. If it's not their idea then it's not a good idea attitudes. That's what Trump is fighting against.

That's why I mentioned trade groups with lots of money. Legislators all se habla dinero.