[PAA-Discuss] Constitutional Amendments on the November Ballot

Sat Oct 24 04:11:23 EDT 2009

http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/9527/endorsements-2009-constitutional
-amendment-elections

From: discuss-bounces at paa-tx.org [mailto:discuss-bounces at paa-tx.org] On
Behalf Of Bill Crosier
Sent: Friday, October 23, 2009 3:13 PM
To: PAA Discussion List
Subject: [PAA-Discuss] Constitutional Amendments on the November Ballot

Voters throughout Texas (not just those in cities like Houston where we'll
also be voting on local officials) will decide the fate of 11 state
constitutional amendments next month (and during early voting that's already
started).

I'd like to see some discussion on the merits of the proposed amendments.
See http://www.paa-tx.org/node/3276 on the PAA web site (currently
undergoing some upgrades-pardon the appearance) for more info on the
election and amendments (propositions).  Also see below for a summary of
each amendment and the recommendation of the Legislative Study Group.

To see the League of Women Voters' non-partisan Voters Guide, pick one up at
your local library, or go to their web site http://www.lwvhouston.org and
click on the Voters Guide link in the left column.

To start the discussion, here are my thoughts on the amendments.  I'd like
to hear yours, too:

I see no need for prop. 1.  I don't think we need to do anything to
encourage or support military bases in Texas.  Who do they think they are
protecting us from?

I'm not so sure we need prop. 7 (dealing with the Texas State Guard),
either.  Does anyone think it's OK?

And I guess I'll vote yes on the others unless some of you can give some
specifica reasons for voting no (other than we shouldn't trust the Texas
legislature, which is frequently pretty good advice).

Bill

Delivered-To: paa at crosierbiomed.com
From: Garnet Coleman <garnetcoleman at garnetcoleman.com>
To: "Bill Crosier" <paa at crosierbiomed.com>
Subject: Constitutional Amendments on the November Ballot

Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:30:57 -0700

Constitutional Amendments on the November Ballot

Below is a brief summary of the constitutional amendments on the November
ballot prepared by the Legislative Study Group, the caucus that I chair.
Early voting has begun, and election day is Tuesday, November 3.  During
session, I voted for all of these proposals, and I'm voting yes on all of
them in this election.  For a sample ballot with the exact ballot language,
click
<http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?FNEiWIHNoX2Quxun/66a0f1346cdb7fda/156db072
6d51ed95/paa at crosierbiomed.com>  here. Please feel free to contact my office
if we can provide you with any additional information on these issues.

The following are LSG's analyses and evaluations of Constitutional
Amendments that will be on the November 3, 2009 ballot.

  _____  

<http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?FNEiWIHNoX2Quxun/988e1c0ce83f87f0/156db072
6d51ed95/paa at crosierbiomed.com> Proposition 1

"The constitutional amendment authorizing the financing, including through
tax increment financing, of the acquisition by municipalities and counties
of buffer areas or open spaces adjacent to a military installation for the
prevention of encroachment or for the construction of roadways, utilities,
or other infrastructure to protect or promote the mission of the military
installation."

After the recent round of Base Realignment and Closures (BRAC), the
necessity of strengthening the ability of military installations in Texas to
compete with others around the country has been made clear. A serious
problem that may lead to a Texas military installation being closed under
future BRACs is encroaching development that restricts training and
operational missions. The proposed amendment will allow a municipality or
county to acquire buffer zones adjacent to military installations to prevent
such encroachment. Texas military installations have a positive economic
impact on the state. The results of this amendment could help keep Texas
military installations vital to national security (thus keeping them active)
and provide economic stability and security to the many communities located
near such installations.

Favorable

  _____  

<http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?FNEiWIHNoX2Quxun/f57fc8e6516ac365/156db072
6d51ed95/paa at crosierbiomed.com> Proposition 2

"The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the
ad valorem taxation of a residence homestead solely on the basis of the
property's value as a residence homestead."

Prop 2 requires that a homestead be taxed as a residence rather than
"highest and best" use of the property, which may result in it being
appraised based on what the land would be sold for if it was converted to
commercial property. The amendment and legislation would apply only to
residence homesteads and not to second homes or investment properties.

Favorable

  _____  

<http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?FNEiWIHNoX2Quxun/f57fc8e6516ac365/156db072
6d51ed95/paa at crosierbiomed.com> Proposition 3

"The constitutional amendment providing for uniform standards and procedures
for the appraisal of property for ad valorem tax purposes."

Prop 3 gives the state the direct authority to enforce uniform appraisal
standards and procedures, rather than requiring administrative and judicial
enforcement to originate in the county where the tax is imposed. This will
ensure that appraisal methods and practices are the same throughout the
state.

Favorable

  _____  

<http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?FNEiWIHNoX2Quxun/cf0a868716387c34/156db072
6d51ed95/paa at crosierbiomed.com> Proposition 4

"The constitutional amendment establishing the national research university
fund to enable emerging research universities in this state to achieve
national prominence as major research universities and transferring the
balance of the higher education fund to the national research university
fund."

Texas lags behind other major states in the number of nationally recognized
research universities, with only two public research universities of
national prominence -- The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M
University.  Texas must continue strengthening these existing universities,
and it also must focus resources on establishing additional nationally
prominent research universities.  The proposed amendment and its
accompanying enabling legislation, House Bill 51, Acts of the 81st
Legislature, Regular Session, 2009, would in effect repurpose the permanent
HEF and spur emerging state research universities in Texas in their efforts
to achieve nationally recognized research status.

With far more qualified applicants than it can admit to its two public,
nationally recognized, tier-one universities, Texas is losing thousands of
its high school graduates to doctorate-granting universities in other states
each year. Creating additional national research universities in Texas would
better position the state to achieve its vision of a globally competitive
workforce by providing greater educational opportunities within the state
for its best and brightest students.

Favorable

  _____  

<http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?FNEiWIHNoX2Quxun/f57fc8e6516ac365/156db072
6d51ed95/paa at crosierbiomed.com> Proposition 5

"The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to authorize a
single board of equalization for two or more adjoining appraisal entities
that elect to provide for consolidated equalizations."

Prop 5 allows the board of directors in two or more adjoining appraisal
districts to consolidate appraisal reviews boards through inter-local
contract. This will reduce costs and provide a greater pool of talent. The
ability to consolidate appraisal review boards would be especially
beneficial to rural counties that have a relatively small pool of qualified
persons from which to draw and have difficulty finding qualified appraisal
review board members.

Favorable

  _____  

<http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?FNEiWIHNoX2Quxun/a974bb312e33f7c4/156db072
6d51ed95/paa at crosierbiomed.com> Proposition 6

"The constitutional amendment authorizing the Veterans' Land Board to issue
general obligation bonds in amounts equal to or less than amounts previously
authorized."

The proposed amendment would provide the secure and sufficient bonding
authority needed by the VLB to continue the Veterans' Housing Assistance
Program and Veterans' Land Program. This amendment would do away with the
need for the VLB to repeatedly request more bonding authority or funds from
voters. Instead, the amendment would allow the board to issue new bonds in
place of those already issued and then retired or redeemed.

Favorable

  _____  

<http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?FNEiWIHNoX2Quxun/f2fa2282fb8ec794/156db072
6d51ed95/paa at crosierbiomed.com> Proposition 7

"The constitutional amendment to allow an officer or enlisted member of the
Texas State Guard or other state militia or military force to hold other
civil offices."

Prop 7 would allow officers and enlisted members of the Texas State Guard or
other militia or military force to be recognized under state law to hold a
paying position with the state ("civil office of emolument"). Currently, a
civil official may also hold office in most branches of the military,
including the National Guard. But those in the Texas State Guard and other
Texas military forces are prohibited from holding another civil office.
This amendment is needed to allow a civil official to become active in the
Texas State Guard or other state militia or military force and to allow
state military personnel to hold another civil office. 

Favorable

  _____  

<http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?FNEiWIHNoX2Quxun/1df2e2b219b3e355/156db072
6d51ed95/paa at crosierbiomed.com> Proposition 8

"The constitutional amendment authorizing the state to contribute money,
property, and other resources for the establishment, maintenance, and
operation of veterans hospitals in this state."

According to the Texas Legislative Council, with 1.7 million veterans living
in the state, Texas ranks third in the nation in the number of veterans
among its residents. In federal fiscal year 2007, veterans health care
facilities in the state recorded more than 47,000 inpatient visits and more
than 4.3 million outpatient visits. Texas currently has nine inpatient
veterans hospitals located in Houston, Temple, Waco, Bonham, Dallas,
Kerrville, San Antonio, Amarillo, and Big Spring, but the rising cost of
traveling to these facilities can impede or delay necessary health care for
some veterans.  The state currently lacks authority to contribute to a
veterans hospital. The amendment would encourage the United States
Department of Veterans Affairs to partner with the state and with local
communities to establish additional such facilities.

Favorable

  _____  

<http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?FNEiWIHNoX2Quxun/52ce1f0b9460b81f/156db072
6d51ed95/paa at crosierbiomed.com> Proposition 9

"The constitutional amendment to protect the right of the public,
individually and collectively, to access and use the public beaches
bordering the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico."

The Texas Open Beaches Act is one of the strongest coastal access laws in
the nation. The proposed amendment clarifies the state's intent to protect
the public's right to free and unrestricted access to public beaches and by
placing the law in the Texas Constitution, thus protecting it from future
tampering. Property owners who build or purchase homes on Texas beaches do
so with knowledge that storms and rising sea levels may cause their property
to be located on a public beach in the future.

Favorable

  _____  

<http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?FNEiWIHNoX2Quxun/ff4636c713b65513/156db072
6d51ed95/paa at crosierbiomed.com> Proposition 10

"The constitutional amendment to provide that elected members of the
governing boards of emergency services districts may serve terms not to
exceed four years."

Emergency services districts are governed by a board of commissioners that
provides emergency medical services, emergency ambulance services, rural
fire prevention and control services, or other emergency services.  Such
services are necessary to local communities and, thus, justify longer terms
-- currently only two years -- for district commissioners. The proposed
amendment would provide emergency services district commissioners time to
gain such expertise, greater continuity and experience in district
leadership.

Favorable

  _____  

<http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?FNEiWIHNoX2Quxun/cf0a868716387c34/156db072
6d51ed95/paa at crosierbiomed.com> Proposition 11

"The constitutional amendment to prohibit the taking, damaging, or
destroying of private property for public use unless the action is for the
ownership, use, and enjoyment of the property by the State, a political
subdivision of the State, the public at large, or entities granted the power
of eminent domain under law or for the elimination of urban blight on a
particular parcel of property, but not for certain economic development or
enhancement of tax revenue purposes, and to limit the legislature's
authority to grant the power of eminent domain to an entity."

Prop 11 reinforces owners' rights, clarifying that private property should
only be seized by eminent domain for necessary public use (rather than
corporate use or to increase local tax revenues) and that the property owner
should agree and be fairly compensated.

Favorable

This e-mail was not sent at state expense.

-- 

Bill Crosier
paa at crosierbiomed.com      713-641-4941
Progressive Action Alliance   http://progressiveactionalliance.org/
KPFT - Radio for Peace - 90.1 FM Houston   http://kpft.org

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