Changes

She lost in 1926 to the state Attorney General (who investigated Pa Ferguson for embezzlement and recovered over $1 million for Texas taxpayers), but won again in 1932.

She lost in 1926 to the state Attorney General (who investigated Pa Ferguson for embezzlement and recovered over $1 million for Texas taxpayers), but won again in 1932.

During her two terms in office Ma (likely at Pa's direction) issued over 4,000 pardons, primarily to people violating Prohibition laws; it was rumored but unproven that the pardons were in exchange for bribes. As a result, Texas changed its state Constitution to remove this power from the Governor and give it to the Texas Board of Pardon and Parole.<ref>Under the law, the Board must issue a positive recommendation before a pardon or commutation can be granted (but the Governor can still deny such); the Governor can only unilaterally issue a one-time, 30-day reprieve (which is rarely given).  This causes confusion among liberal death penalty opponents, who routinely petition the Governor for a pardon that he cannot grant (as only twice has the Board recommended commutation of a death sentence and the Governor concurred).</ref>

During her two terms in office Ma (likely at Pa's direction) issued over 4,000 pardons, primarily to people violating Prohibition laws; it was rumored but unproven that the pardons were in exchange for bribes. As a result, Texas changed its state Constitution to remove this power from the Governor and give it to the Texas Board of Pardon and Parole.<ref>Under the current law, the Board must issue a positive recommendation before a pardon or commutation can be granted (but the Governor can still deny such); the Governor can only unilaterally issue a one-time, 30-day reprieve (which is rarely given).  This causes confusion among liberal death penalty opponents, who routinely petition the Governor for a pardon that he cannot unilaterally grant (as only twice has the Board recommended commutation of a death sentence and the Governor concurred).</ref>

==References==

==References==

{{reflist}}

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Texas Governors]]

[[Category:Texas Governors]]

[[Category:Democratic Governors]]

[[Category:Democratic Governors]]