Texas Constitutional Convention Updates

Convention News Release - 21 Mar 1998

Texas Constitutional Convention
Wesley W. Burnett, Publicity and Advertising Chairman - (806) 495-4135 or FAX (806) 495-2059

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 21, 1998

Texas government will be funded through voluntary methods if Texans adopt a new constitution being drafted by delegates to the Texas Constitutional Convention of 1997. In the proposal, governments are forbidden to impose or collect taxes of any kind.

Delegates to the convention wrapped up the first draft of a nine article constitution during the 10th session held in Brownwood March 14-15. Work on a transition plan and fine-tuning the constitution will keep delegates busy at the next session, May 9-10 in San Antonio.

Government funding emphasizes county political power, by placing all funding at the local level. "We are giving government wide latitude in funding, as long as it is strictly voluntary," convention chairman Don Henson says. County governments will retain 70 percent of locally collected revenue, sending 30 percent to the national government.

Delegates also approved a ratification plan modeled after Article 7 of the U.S. Constitution, which will use county conventions for citizen participation. "We believe in the republican form of government as did the founders of the U.S.," Henson adds, "and our ratification plan is an example of that philosophy."

When the draft constitution is formally adopted by the convention, delegates will appoint 12 Texans to serve on a Texas Constitution Ratification Committee, to ensure the lawful and peaceful ratification of the new constitution. The transition plan will take affect following ratification.

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All Texas Constitutional Convention sessions are always open to the public, and interested Texans are encouraged and cordially invited to either participate as a delegate, as a proxy or to observe the proceedings. The convention was convened July 4, 1997 and delegates have been meeting the second weekend monthly to construct a new constitution to be presented to Texans for approval or rejection in a lawful and peaceful attempt to secure individual rights for all people in Texas.

The purpose of the Texas Constitutional Convention is to write a new Texas constitution, develop a plan for lawful ratification and a transition plan for the peaceful and orderly change of government. The convention is the first since 1836 convened by citizens through the right guaranteed by the 1876 Texas Constitution's Article 1, Section 2:

"All political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their benefit. The faith of the people of Texas stands pledged to the preservation of a republican form of government, and subject to this limitation only, they have at all times the inalienable right to alter, reform or abolish their government in such manner as they may think expedient." Constitution of Texas, February, 1876.

Other contacts for additional information:
Wesley W. Burnett (806) 495-4135 or (806) 495-2816
Don Henson (915) 587-4616
Convention Updates at: <http://colossus.net/wepinsto/txconv/update.html>

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Copyright at Common Law, West El Paso Information Network, 1998