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<title>Constitutional Amendments on the November Ballot</title>
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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><a
href="http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/9527/endorsements-2009-constitutional-amendment-elections">http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/9527/endorsements-2009-constitutional-amendment-elections</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> discuss-bounces@paa-tx.org
[mailto:discuss-bounces@paa-tx.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Bill Crosier<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, October 23, 2009 3:13 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> PAA Discussion List<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [PAA-Discuss] Constitutional Amendments on the November Ballot<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>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).<o:p></o:p></p>
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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>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.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>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.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>To start the discussion, here are my thoughts on the
amendments. I'd like to hear yours, too:<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>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?<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>I'm not so sure we need prop. 7 (dealing with the Texas
State Guard), either. Does anyone think it's OK?<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>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).<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Bill<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal>Delivered-To: paa@crosierbiomed.com<br>
From: Garnet Coleman <garnetcoleman@garnetcoleman.com><br>
To: "Bill Crosier" <paa@crosierbiomed.com><br>
Subject: Constitutional Amendments on the November Ballot<o:p></o:p></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal>Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:30:57 -0700<o:p></o:p></p>
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<blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><br>
<span style='font-size:18.0pt'>Constitutional Amendments on the November Ballot</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal>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, <a
href="http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?FNEiWIHNoX2Quxun/66a0f1346cdb7fda/156db0726d51ed95/paa@crosierbiomed.com">click
here</a>. Please feel free to contact my office if we can provide you with any
additional information on these issues.<br>
<br>
<b>The following are LSG's analyses and evaluations of Constitutional
Amendments that will be on the November 3, 2009 ballot.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
</blockquote>
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<p class=MsoNormal><br>
<a
href="http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?FNEiWIHNoX2Quxun/988e1c0ce83f87f0/156db0726d51ed95/paa@crosierbiomed.com"><b>Proposition
1</b></a><br>
<br>
<i>"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."</i><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<b><i>Favorable</i></b><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><br>
<a
href="http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?FNEiWIHNoX2Quxun/f57fc8e6516ac365/156db0726d51ed95/paa@crosierbiomed.com"><b>Proposition
2</b></a><br>
<br>
<i>"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."</i><o:p></o:p></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><br>
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.<br>
<br>
<b><i>Favorable</i></b><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><br>
<a
href="http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?FNEiWIHNoX2Quxun/f57fc8e6516ac365/156db0726d51ed95/paa@crosierbiomed.com"><b>Proposition
3</b></a><br>
<br>
<i>"The constitutional amendment providing for uniform standards and
procedures for the appraisal of property for ad valorem tax purposes."</i><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<b><i>Favorable</i></b><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal> <br>
<a
href="http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?FNEiWIHNoX2Quxun/cf0a868716387c34/156db0726d51ed95/paa@crosierbiomed.com"><b>Proposition
4</b></a><br>
<br>
<i>"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."</i><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<b><i>Favorable</i></b><o:p></o:p></p>
</blockquote>
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<blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal> <br>
<a
href="http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?FNEiWIHNoX2Quxun/f57fc8e6516ac365/156db0726d51ed95/paa@crosierbiomed.com"><b>Proposition
5</b></a><br>
<br>
<i>"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."</i><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<b><i>Favorable</i></b><br>
<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><br>
<a
href="http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?FNEiWIHNoX2Quxun/a974bb312e33f7c4/156db0726d51ed95/paa@crosierbiomed.com"><b>Proposition
6</b></a><br>
<br>
<i>"The constitutional amendment authorizing the Veterans' Land Board to
issue general obligation bonds in amounts equal to or less than amounts
previously authorized."</i><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<b><i>Favorable</i></b><br>
<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><br>
<a
href="http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?FNEiWIHNoX2Quxun/f2fa2282fb8ec794/156db0726d51ed95/paa@crosierbiomed.com"><b>Proposition
7</b></a><br>
<br>
<i>"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."</i><br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
<b><i>Favorable</i></b><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><br>
<a
href="http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?FNEiWIHNoX2Quxun/1df2e2b219b3e355/156db0726d51ed95/paa@crosierbiomed.com"><b>Proposition
8</b></a><br>
<br>
<i>"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."</i><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<b><i>Favorable</i></b><o:p></o:p></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
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<p class=MsoNormal> <br>
<a
href="http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?FNEiWIHNoX2Quxun/52ce1f0b9460b81f/156db0726d51ed95/paa@crosierbiomed.com"><b>Proposition
9</b></a><br>
<br>
<i>"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."</i><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<b><i>Favorable</i></b><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><br>
<a
href="http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?FNEiWIHNoX2Quxun/ff4636c713b65513/156db0726d51ed95/paa@crosierbiomed.com"><b>Proposition
10</b></a><br>
<br>
<i>"The constitutional amendment to provide that elected members of the
governing boards of emergency services districts may serve terms not to exceed
four years."</i><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<b><i>Favorable</i></b><br>
<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><br>
<a
href="http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?FNEiWIHNoX2Quxun/cf0a868716387c34/156db0726d51ed95/paa@crosierbiomed.com"><b>Proposition
11</b></a><br>
<br>
<i>"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."</i><o:p></o:p></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal> <br>
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.<br>
<br>
<b><i>Favorable</i></b><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal>This e-mail was not sent at state expense.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<pre>-- <o:p></o:p></pre>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Bill Crosier<br>
paa@crosierbiomed.com 713-641-4941<br>
Progressive Action Alliance http://progressiveactionalliance.org/<br>
KPFT - Radio for Peace - 90.1 FM Houston http://kpft.org<o:p></o:p></p>
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