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Texas Senate Approves Some Statewide Term Limits


Statewide officeholders would be limited to two consecutive terms under a proposed constitutional amendment advancing in the Capitol.

In a 27-4 vote on Tuesday, the Texas Senate approved the amendment that would apply to future governors, attorneys general and state agency commissioners.

It would not apply to judges or the legislators themselves. It also would not apply to current officeholders such as Gov. Rick Perry, who has been elected to three consecutive terms since 2000.

Republican Sen. Kevin Eltife said his proposal would bring "new ideas" to government. He ran for the legislature after local term limits prevented him for running for re-election as mayor of Tyler.

Republican Sen. Craig Estes of Wichita Falls put up a fight against the proposal, saying it would take power away from voters.

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