Introduction
Texas should have a full-time legislature meeting each year to effectively discuss and resolve a range of the state’s questions and issues. This approach would have advantages, such as more time to devote to important issues, such as education, social issues, public health, and environmental pollution, among others, and more thorough deliberation on these matters that now remain underrated (Jeffers).
Need for Full-Time Legislature in Texas
Additionally, with more time, legislators could increase transparency and public involvement in the legislative process, allowing for more meaningful dialogue between citizens and their representatives. As the second-largest state in the country with a diverse and quickly growing population, Texas needs a full-time legislature to have the resources to develop effective policies to address these issues. A full-time legislature would also provide more consistency and continuity in governance.
Currently, Texas is one of only four states with a part-time legislature, meaning that legislators can only devote a limited amount of time to their duties. However, there are also some specific disadvantages to having a full-time legislature. One key issue is that it could be costly, as it would require more staff and resources to support a full-time body (Jeffers). Additionally, a full-time legislature may not be as responsive to the needs and desires of the people it represents, as it would be more focused on a few important topics and less likely to take on smaller, localized issues.
Conclusion
Overall, the advantages of having a full-time legislature outweigh the disadvantages because the currently applied part-time approach is insufficient. A full-time legislature would provide more time for legislators to focus on critical issues, increase transparency and public involvement, and demonstrate more meaningful and focused dialogue between citizens and their representatives. Additionally, suppose the legislature is appropriately funded and staffed. In that case, the cost of a full-time body should not be a deterrent. Therefore, Texas should have a full-time legislature to deal with the state’s issues.
Work Cited
Jeffers, Gromer. “Should the Texas Legislature Convene Full Time? Here Are 6 Things to Consider.” Denton Record-Chronicle, 2021. Web.