Providing for a joint session to canvass the votes for the governor and lieutenant governor and for a joint session for the inaugural ceremony.
Impact
The resolution establishes the formal procedure for how the legislature would handle the counting and declaration of election results for the top executive offices in the state. By facilitating the inaugural ceremony and ensuring that the votes are officially canvassed, it reinforces the democratic process and the transition of power in Texas. This process is critical for maintaining the integrity of election results and ensuring that the incoming officials can assume their roles promptly and ceremoniously.
Summary
SCR3, also known as the Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 3, concerns the organization of a joint session of the Texas legislature aimed at canvassing the votes for the governor and lieutenant governor following the general election on November 6, 2018. The resolution calls for a committee comprising members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives to be appointed for this purpose. Notably, the bill dates back to the 86th Legislature, reflecting its procedural nature rather than introducing legislative changes to existing laws.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment surrounding SCR3 appears to be supportive as evidenced by the unanimous voting results in both chambers of the legislature. The adoption of the resolution occurred without opposition—142 members voted in favor with no nays, highlighting bipartisan agreement on the procedural necessity of the joint session. As a procedural resolution, rather than a controversial piece of legislation, there appears to have been little contention regarding its implications.
Contention
While SCR3 does not have notable points of contention due to its straightforward nature, discussions in the legislative context do reflect common themes around the handling of electoral processes and the significance of joint sessions. There may be underlying concerns regarding electoral integrity and the importance of such resolutions in affirming the results of elections, particularly as they pertain to official transitions of power within the state.
Requesting that the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House of Representatives create a joint interim committee to study motorcycle operator profiling by law enforcement officers.
Proposing a constitutional amendment requiring the governor to call the legislature into special session following certain disaster or emergency declarations and specifying the powers of the legislature in those special sessions.
Proposing a constitutional amendment to set the salaries of members of the legislature and the lieutenant governor based on the average public school teacher salary in this state.
Relating to an annual state budget and legislative budget sessions in even-numbered years and to political contributions made during a legislative session.