Hankinson will argue against the measure and Nixon will defend it. UH law professor Seth Chandler will serve as the moderator for the debate, which is called “Is Prop. 12 Good or Bad for Texas?”

The event, which will take place in Krost Hall Auditorium at the UH Law Center, is free and open to the public.

Proposition 12, one of nearly two dozen amendments to be voted on in a Sept. 13 election, would amend the Texas constitution to allow the legislature to establish limits on damages awarded in malpractice cases. Proponents say this is necessary to help curb runaway medical and insurance costs in an overly litigious climate. Opponents argue this is an attempt by greedy HMO and insurance companies to usurp the traditional role of judges and juries in determining equitable damages.

Nixon, who represents District 133, is the coauthor of House Bill 4, the tort reform bill that was passed in the last session of the Texas Legislature. He has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Texas A&M and a J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law. Nixon is now a shareholder in the law firm of Phillips & Akers, P.C.

Hankinson, who is also a Republican, has a master’s degree from the University of Texas and a J.D. from SMU School of Law. She was appointed to the Supreme Court of Texas by then-Gov. George W. Bush in 1997 and elected to the court in 1998. Hankinson did not seek re-election last year. She currently practices law in Dallas.

• WHAT: Debate: “Is Prop. 12 Good or Bad for Texas?”
• WHEN: 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 10
• WHERE: Krost Hall Auditorium
  UH Law Center
  Entrance 19 (off Calhoun Road)
  Free of Charge and Open to the Public
• WHO: State Rep. Joe Nixon and former Texas Supreme Court Justice Deborah Hankinson

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