Friday, March 10, 2006

Constitutional Changes

The Tennessee Senate has just approved a vote for a change of the state Constitution that says, "Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion." The earliest that voters could decide on this issue is the 2010 election, a year that we also vote on Governor. A lot still has to happen, though, before this reaches the ballot. A majority of the House must also approve the measure. After we elect a new General Assembly, both the Senate and House must once again approve the measure by a 2/3 approval. The Governor must then sign the bill, and voters are then allowed to make the decision. It will certainly be a long-haul before anything happens. (story here)

filed under: ,

2 comments:

  1. Governor's signature is not required on constitutional amendments.

    "Every joint resolution or order (except on question of adjournment and proposals of specific amendments to the Constitution) shall likewise be presented to the Governor for his signature, and on being disapproved by him shall in like manner, be returned with his objections; and the same before it shall take effect shall be repassed by a majority of all the members elected to both houses in the manner and according to the rules prescribed in case of a bill."

    Art. III, Sec. 18, Par. 3

    P.S. I'm totally pro-choice but just like to look up legal details to be sure (it's part of my trade).

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for the research, Wintermute. I didn't read the Tennessean article correctly; the article just said that the Governor has the option to veto the resolution. I guess I just assumed that meant he had to sign it. Thanks again! :o)

    ReplyDelete