Senate Approves Eltife’s Term Limits Bill

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – Statewide officeholders would be limited to two consecutive terms under a constitutional amendment proposed by Tyler State Senator Kevin Eltife that’s now 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 Governor Rick Perry, who has been elected to three consecutive terms since 2000. 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.