[Pilsner]

The sharply curtailed pardon power of the Governor of Texas has nothing to do with the limitations of government power. Texas Governor “Pa” Ferguson sold several pardons and commutations, and his wife, Governor “Ma” Ferguson sold them by the hundreds. The Texas Legislature proposed, and the voters approved a constitutional amendment to keep future governors from doing the same.

I think the solution to a Governor corruptly abusing executive power ought not to be forever depriving the Texas Governor of a traditional executive power, but that was before my time.

[Bubba_Leroy]

Texas has always had a Constitutionally weak governor and a part time legislature. Any substantive change in the law requires a Constitutional Amendment approved by both the legislature and by popular vote, which is how the additional limits on the Governor’s pardon power were enacted in 1936 and why our Constitution is now 300 pages long.

[Leaning Right]

Presidents and most governors have unchecked pardon power. That’s a king-like power, and it doesn’t belong in a republic.

Better that the legislature have the ability to override a pardon, just like they have the ability to override a veto. Checks and balances. If I ever get my time machine working, I’m going to mention this to Thomas Jefferson and the rest of the gang.