Texas House Bill HJR67

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Introduced: 1/18/11
• Refer: 2/21/11

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to set the salary of the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of representatives.

Impact

If passed, this amendment would directly impact the salary structures established in the Texas Constitution, specifically Article III, which governs legislative salaries. By granting the legislature the authority to determine higher salaries for the lieutenant governor and speaker, it would potentially allow for more competitive and fair compensation reflecting the duties and responsibilities associated with these leadership positions. The proposed change is aimed at improving the recruitment and retention of qualified candidates for these roles.

Summary

HJR67 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow the Texas Legislature to set the salaries of both the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of representatives at an amount greater than that of other legislative members. Currently, salaries for legislative members are set at a fixed rate of $600 per month unless a higher amount is approved by the Texas Ethics Commission and subsequently voted on by the public. This amendment aims to provide greater flexibility in establishing compensation for key leadership roles within the state's legislature.

Sentiment

General sentiment regarding HJR67 appears to focus on the need for fair and adequate compensation for legislative leaders. Supporters argue that the amendment is a necessary step to ensure that salary levels reflect the responsibilities of the positions. However, there may also be concerns among some taxpayers regarding the implications of adjusting salaries at a time when government budgets are being closely scrutinized.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HJR67 include the potential for increased salaries to be viewed as self-serving within the legislature, given that these changes would primarily benefit the leadership. Furthermore, the amendment requires approval by the voters, which may lead to public debate on the appropriateness of higher salaries in government roles. The discourse will likely center around broader issues of government transparency and fiscal responsibility, as well as accountability to taxpayers.