Proposal may let voters decide on constables

A state constitutional amendment could allow counties to abolish constable positions with a local vote, according to State Rep. Warren Chisum.

Speaking during a public forum at the Clarendon High School Auditorium, the Pampa Republican said he currently has letters from six counties in his district that wish to abolish constables.

The Texas Constitution sets up the office of constable, and historically, an amendment is required every time a county wishes to permanently abolish the office in that county.

“I don’t like the idea of the whole state voting on what you need here in Donley County,” Chisum said in response to a question by local Commissioner Buster Shields.

Chisum, who serves on the County Affairs Committee, thinks a better way would be for local counties to have the option of adding or deleting constable positions through a local referendum.

Such a proposal is likely to be introduced this year and has the support of the Texas Association of Counties, he said.

Randall County has recently faced legal difficulties regarding a salary for a constable that was considered unneeded. Locally, Jimmy Swinney last year filed as a write-in candidate for constable of Precincts 1&2 – a position that had been vacant for nearly 30 years. He was elected with 52 votes and has requested an annual salary of about $17,000.

Education was also a topic during the forum. Chisum said he believed something will be done to provide teachers a state health plan. Such a plan could cost between $2 billion and $6 billion and might be paid for by tapping a $5 billion surplus in the teacher retirement fund.

The representative also said there is some push in some parts of the state to change the school start date but said he supports leaving the start date up to local districts.

A growing state and redistricting in the wake of the 2000 census will also be issues before the Legislature. A growing population means Texas will pick up two additional seats in the United States Congress. It also means that 20 to 25 counties will have to be added to Chisum’s largely rural district to add 20,000 people its total. He said the district will likely grow to the south and east.

Chisum said the state budget will exceed $100 billion for the first time this biennium, and this Legislature is expected to get along very well since there are only 11 new members in the house and two new members in the senate.

“I don’t see any critical issues that we can’t handle,” he said.