We congratulate the conservative leadership of the Texas Legislature and the Governor in handing the voters of Texas a digestible list of seven proposed amendments to the Constitution. We have analyzed each and determined that, while there are pros and cons to all of them, these ballot measures have their roots in genuine needs brought to the floor of the People's house.
We join the Travis County Republican Executive Committee in supporting all seven of the propositions, which we include below (followed by some quick thoughts on each, and a handy voter's guide you can take into the polling place with you). These measures will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot, with early voting taking place from Oct. 19-30.
But don't take our word for it alone. Read for yourself the pros and cons of Propositions 1 through 7, prepared by the Texas Legislative Council:
To see what else is on your ballot (including the civil courthouse bond) and for a list of voting locations, see the Travis County Elections Division site at http://www.traviscountyclerk.org/eclerk/Content.do?code=E.3
To find out if you're eligible to vote in the Nov. 3 election, go to http://www.votexas.org
Secretary of State's wording of each state ballot proposition (followed by our views in italics):
Proposition 1
“The constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes from $15,000 to $25,000, providing for a reduction of the limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed for those purposes on the homestead of an elderly or disabled person to reflect the increased exemption amount, authorizing the legislature to prohibit a political subdivision that has adopted an optional residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation from reducing the amount of or repealing the exemption, and prohibiting the enactment of a law that imposes a transfer tax on a transaction that conveys fee simple title to real property.”
Our view: Though this is projected to only reduce the tax burden for the average Texas home owner by $126, this is a step in the right direction.
Proposition 2
“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran who died before the law authorizing a residence homestead exemption for such a veteran took effect.”
Our view: This ties up a loose end in existing law, which currently denies a property tax exemption to the spouses of totally disabled veterans who died before 2010.
Proposition 3
“The constitutional amendment repealing the requirement that state officers elected by voters statewide reside in the state capital.”
Our view: While Austin is the best city in the entire world, we recognize that men and women with the means to run for state office often maintain more than one home (and maybe a hunting cabin and beach cottage) and have plenty of transportation options to get to and from the capital. Best to do away with this antiquated requirement that stems from an age when proximity to the Capitol was key to governing effectively.
Proposition 4
“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit professional sports team charitable foundations to conduct charitable raffles.”
Our view: Non-profit group raffles are already allowed in Texas -- regardless of how one feels about gambling. This measure only increases the number of raffles sports team foundations can hold [so they can have one at each home game during season] and allows for cash payouts. If we're to allow for it, they may as well raise as much money as they can for good causes.
Proposition 5
“The constitutional amendment to authorize counties with a population of 7,500 or less to perform private road construction and maintenance.”
Our view: While all counties should have the option to build and maintain private roads with the financial support of landowners, this expands the ability of certain counties to do so which are currently prohibited. More power to them.
Proposition 6
“The constitutional amendment recognizing the right of the people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife subject to laws that promote wildlife conservation.”
Our view: It seems strange for a "right" to be strictly licensed and regulated. However, this amendment is designed to stop animal rights activists from abusing our courts and federal agencies to fight hunting and fishing. This amendment is a tactic to defend a very basic human function from environmental extremists.
Proposition 7
“The constitutional amendment dedicating certain sales and use tax revenue and motor vehicle sales, use, and rental tax revenue to the state highway fund to provide funding for nontolled roads and the reduction of certain transportation-related debt.”
Our view: Now that TxDOT has received an external and an internal audit, as well as a partial agency restructuring, it is in better shape to spend taxpayer funds. The less we spend on transportation the more toll roads become the norm in transportation planning -- and the motorist ends up paying more at the tollbooth as a result (we haven't raised the gas tax since 1991, by the way). This modest dedication of revenue for freeway construction is an efficient way of restoring the greatest transportation network in the United States.
Quick Guide:
1. Y
2. Y
Our view: Now that TxDOT has received an external and an internal audit, as well as a partial agency restructuring, it is in better shape to spend taxpayer funds. The less we spend on transportation the more toll roads become the norm in transportation planning -- and the motorist ends up paying more at the tollbooth as a result (we haven't raised the gas tax since 1991, by the way). This modest dedication of revenue for freeway construction is an efficient way of restoring the greatest transportation network in the United States.
Quick Guide:
1. Y
2. Y
3. Y
4. Y
4. Y
5. Y
6. Y
7. Y
10/22/15 -- minor edits made.
6. Y
7. Y
10/22/15 -- minor edits made.
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