Everything that Texans feel strongly about—police reform, affordability, economic opportunity—depends on good government.

But I don’t think I exaggerate when I say that we are running out of time to save Constitutional democracy in this state, and in this country. Some common sense reforms would go a long way towards that cause:

  • Term Limits for Legislators. Democracy works best when it welcomes new ideas and discourages entrenched interests. Accordingly, state legislators should be limited to six consecutive legislative sessions, after which they should have to sit out at least two sessions before running again. Similar rules should apply to the Governor, Lt. Governor, and others in the executive branch.
  • Life Tenure for Judges. Judges, on the other hand, should be able to serve until they reach a mandatory retirement age or are removed for misconduct—and at least some of them should be appointed, not elected. The Constitution gives judges life terms to prevent them from being influenced by other branches of government, and made them appointees to protect their judgment from the whims of voters. Texas should respect their wisdom.
  • Vote by Mail. As has been the case for decades, Texans can vote by mail if they’re over 65, ill, or even if they’ll just be away from their home county during the voting period. These rights should extend to all Texans—as Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah and Washington have proven, it’s safe, Constitutional, and convenient. If they can do it, we can do it.
  • Easier Voter Registration. Republicans believe that their voter ID laws eliminate the risk of voter fraud; if that’s the case, then doesn’t it stand to reason that registration online, at school, at the driver’s license office—or even at polling places on Election Day—is perfectly safe for those with a picture ID? Fair is fair.
  • Make Election Day a Holiday. Speaking of fair, Republicans also claim to believe that voting is a sacred and patriotic act.  I would agree: it is the core democratic function in our society.  We should facilitate and honor it by giving everyone in the state a day off to read up on the issues, debate with friends and family over BBQ and beer—and go vote.
  • Incentivize Voting.  Here’s a big idea, and probably a controversial one (though it shouldn’t be):  require people to vote (or at least cast a blank ballot), and assess a fine against folks who don’t.  Our predecessors put their lives on the line for these rights with “Live Free or Die”; I say we honor them with “vote free or pay”.

Some of these reforms will be easier than others. Some will take years. But the time to start fighting for these big-ticket, structural changes is right now.