The November 3rd Elections are coming soon. The proposed amendments are, for the most part, not very controversial. As such, baring something dramatic happening in the next 24 hours, I expect this to be a low-turnout election.
I will be writing articles on the 11 amendments. These are my personal opinions and not those of any other group I might be affiliated with.
As a general rule, my view is that we should vote against most amendments. For the most part, the Texas Constitution has served us fine. While a few tweaks are needed on occasion, long-term stability is better preserved with fewer changes. The population that tends to vote on Constitutional amendments tends to vote for more amendments than I would like. So, I bias my views in opposition to most, in the hopes that we can stem the more egregious amendments.
Here are the titles:
- Amendment No. 1 (H.J.R. 132)
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.
- Amendment No. 2 (H.J.R. 36, Article 1)
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.
- Amendment No. 3 (H.J.R. 36, Article 3)
The constitutional amendment providing for uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for ad valorem tax purposes.
- Amendment No. 4 (H.J.R. 14, Article 2)
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.
- Amendment No. 5 (H.J.R. 36, Article 2)
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.
- Amendment No. 6 (H.J.R. 116)
The constitutional amendment authorizing the Veterans’ Land Board to issue general obligation bonds in amounts equal to or less than amounts previously authorized.
- Amendment No. 7 (H.J.R. 127)
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.
- Amendment No. 8 (H.J.R. 7)
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.
- Amendment No. 9 (H.J.R. 102)
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.
- Amendment No. 10 (H.J.R. 85)
The constitutional amendment to provide that elected members of the governing boards of emergency services districts may serve terms not to exceed four years.
- Amendment No. 11 (H.J.R. 14, Article 1)
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.