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Mengden was sometimes called "Mad Dog" Mengden for his opposition to many bills supported by his more [[liberal]] colleagues,<ref name=hmh/> but he remained popular in District 13, as it was then configured, having been reelected in 1976 and 1980 with little opposition. Mengden was particularly known for his sponsorship of "law-and-order" legislation backed by law-enforcement agencies and appealing to conservative voters concerned about the crime rate. The Sheriff's Association of Texas, in its publication ''Texas Lawman,'' named Mengden the "Most Outstanding Member of​

Mengden was sometimes called "Mad Dog" Mengden for his opposition to many bills supported by his more [[liberal]] colleagues,<ref name=hmh/> but he remained popular in District 13, as it was then configured, having been reelected in 1976 and 1980 with little opposition. Mengden was particularly known for his sponsorship of "law-and-order" legislation backed by law-enforcement agencies and appealing to conservative voters concerned about the crime rate. The Sheriff's Association of Texas, in its publication ''Texas Lawman,'' named Mengden the "Most Outstanding Member of​

the Legislature" in both the 64th and 65th sessions. In the 66th session, the Texas District and County Attorneys Association cited Mengden in its publication ''Texas Prosecutor'' for his anti-crime activities. Mengden worked to secure constitutional limitations on state and local taxation as well as silent prayer in public schools.<ref name=senate>{{cite web|url=http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/scanned/members/texas_senators/Public/Texas_Senate_67.pdf|title=Walter Mengden|publisher=lrl.state.tx.us|accessdate=March 21, 2020}}/ref> He also sponsored a [[creation science]] bill in the Senate.<ref>''Texas Monthly,'' July 1981, p. 111.</ref>​

the Legislature" in both the 64th and 65th sessions. In the 66th session, the Texas District and County Attorneys Association cited Mengden in its publication ''Texas Prosecutor'' for his anti-crime activities. Mengden worked to secure constitutional limitations on state and local taxation as well as silent prayer in public schools.<ref name=senate>{{cite web|url=http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/scanned/members/texas_senators/Public/Texas_Senate_67.pdf|title=Walter Mengden|publisher=Texas Legislative Reference Library|accessdate=March 21, 2020}}</ref> He also sponsored a [[creation science]] bill in the Senate.<ref>''Texas Monthly,'' July 1981, p. 111.</ref>​

Mengden also pushed, unsuccessfully, for the adoption of [[initiative]] and [[referendum]] in Texas, having lobbied for the reform measure during the 1974 state constitutional convention, which adjourned without a new governing document.<ref name=init>{{cite web|url=http://www.iandrinstitute.org/Texas.htm|title=Initiative and Referendum Institute|publisher=iandrinstitute.org|accessdate=September 10, 2011; material no longer on-line}}</ref> In the initiative, which started in [[South Dakota]] in 1898, voters can write their own legislation and submit to a popular referendum, thus bypassing the legislature in certain situations. Instead, Texans can vote only on state constitutional amendments, usually held in November of odd years. These amendments are usually parochial and non-controversial in nature and thus attract little interest. An exception was the 1991 amendment to establish the state lottery. Initiative and referendum enjoyed large support from grassroots Republicans, but Governor  [[Bill Clements]] never called the promised special session of the legislature to consider the measure. Thereafter, Governor [[George W. Bush]] had initiative and referendum removed from the party platform, and support for the reform has since languished.<ref name=init/> ​

Mengden also pushed, unsuccessfully, for the adoption of [[initiative]] and [[referendum]] in Texas, having lobbied for the reform measure during the 1974 state constitutional convention, which adjourned without a new governing document.<ref name=init>{{cite web|url=http://www.iandrinstitute.org/Texas.htm|title=Initiative and Referendum Institute|publisher=iandrinstitute.org|accessdate=September 10, 2011; material no longer on-line}}</ref> In the initiative, which started in [[South Dakota]] in 1898, voters can write their own legislation and submit to a popular referendum, thus bypassing the legislature in certain situations. Instead, Texans can vote only on state constitutional amendments, usually held in November of odd years. These amendments are usually parochial and non-controversial in nature and thus attract little interest. An exception was the 1991 amendment to establish the state lottery. Initiative and referendum enjoyed large support from grassroots Republicans, but Governor  [[Bill Clements]] never called the promised special session of the legislature to consider the measure. Thereafter, Governor [[George W. Bush]] had initiative and referendum removed from the party platform, and support for the reform has since languished.<ref name=init/> ​