AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The governor will have new powers to grant pardons, elected officials will have more time to resign before running for another office and there’s a more money for student loans after Texas voters approved changes to the Texas Constitution.
Proposition 9 allows the Texas governor to grant a pardon, reprieve or commutation of punishment to a person who completes a sentence of deferred adjudication. But the court records could only be cleared on the written recommendation and advice of the Board of Pardons and Paroles.
Under Proposition 10, local elected officeholders would get an extra 30 days before triggering automatic resignation if they become a candidate for another office.
The Higher Education Coordinating Board can now issue bonds for low-interest student loans now that voters have approved Proposition 3.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)