Currently in the state of Texas only the Governor has the power to pardon criminal offenses. With a criminal background non-violent offenders are unable to obtain professional licenses, certain types of employment, and are ineligible for public office, certain loans, and other necessities that would improve their quality of life. Texans are supportive of giving offenders second chances. People who make mistakes should not be punished for the rest of their lives. Without an executive pardon from the governor, all inmates are punished for the rest of their lives because they cannot fully pursue life, liberty nor the pursuit of happiness! The governor of Texas has only granted an average of 5-10 pardons per year despite having millions of ex-felons in the state of Texas. 

The purpose of this petition is to gain support FROM THE CITIZENS OF TEXAS to PASS LEGISLATION to amend the Texas State Constitution to mandate that "All non-violent offenders who were convicted in the state of Texas who have been discharged from probation or parole and have not been convicted of a felony for the seven years after their discharge shall have all of their rights restored automatically. Violent Offenders shall be eligible to have their cases reviewed after being discharged from probation or parole for a period of seven years. Restoration of rights in these cases will be granted on a case-by-case basis. This amendment will be referred to as the "Texas Law of Jubilee" also known as Tracy's Law.

Case in Point

Tracy Andrus was convicted of Check Kiting and Theft of Service in the state of Texas in 1989/1990. After spending 3 years in prison on a 57 year sentence, he was discharged in 1994. Andrus entered college and earned four college degrees including his PhD from Prairie View A&M University. Dr. Andrus has served as Director of the Lee P. Brown Criminal Justice Institute at Wiley College in Marshall, Texas since 2006. He is also Pastor of Edwards Chapel Baptist Church. Despite his being crime free for 30 years, he still cannot serve on the local school board because of his prior felony conviction. Dr. Andrus has been recommended for a pardon by the Texas Board of Pardons but the Governor has not signed the pardon.