Senator Mayes Middleton said he is optimistic that the Texas House will pass S.J.R. No. 5 this session, noting that with 88 Republicans, securing 12 Democratic votes is necessary to approve the amendment, which he described as "common sense" for public safety. Middleton was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
“We did pass this (S.J.R. No. 5) in the Senate last time," said Middleton in a recent edition of the Texas Talks Podcast. “I'm hopeful this time the House will do the same. There are now two more Republicans, so 88 in total. That means we'll need 12 Democrats in the Texas House to vote for this constitutional amendment."
“It’s a very reasonable list of violent felonies and sexual crimes—things that people should not be out on the street for, especially if they've been arrested for it," said Middleton. “This is common sense, and I think, based on election results, common sense and public safety will be top priorities. I'm hopeful we can finally pass this into law this session.”
Senate Joint Resolution 5 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing judges to deny bail to individuals accused of first-degree sexual offenses, violent crimes, or continuous trafficking if clear and convincing evidence shows that bail conditions would not ensure court appearance or public safety. Judges must issue written explanations for bail denial, and the amendment does not restrict the accused’s right to contest bail decisions.
Middleton represents Texas Senate District 11, which includes parts of Brazoria, Galveston, and Harris Counties. He is a Republican and serves as Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on Higher Education, with additional roles on several Senate committees, including Administration, Business & Commerce, Education, Jurisprudence, and State Affairs. He is also the President and CEO of Middleton Oil Company and manages ranching, cattle, and farming operations, according to the Texas Senate.
Texas Talks podcast is hosted by Brad Swail. The weekly show is focused on public policy in the state of Texas, with insights from the people and organizations that influence it.
The podcast is available on Simple Cast and YouTube.
