Going to try to early-vote; wish me luck. This next bit is cut & pasted from the Austin Chronicle & educated me about the propositions on the ballot, which are constitutional amendments. Proposition 1: Yes. Would grant a homestead property tax exemption to a surviving spouse (who has not remarried) of a veteran killed in action. This amendment would add to already numerous exemptions, but is otherwise unobjectionable. Proposition 2: Yes. Would eliminate an obsolete requirement for a State Medical Education Board and a State Medical Education Fund – neither of which has been operational for decades. Clean-up legislation. Proposition 3: No. Would authorize a political subdivision of this state to extend the number of days that aircraft parts are exempt from ad valorem (property) taxation due to their location in this state for a temporary period (aka the freeport exemption) before shipping out of state. This is a giveaway for aircraft manufacturers; if they hold inventory, they should pay taxes on it. Proposition 4: No. Would authorize the Legislature to provide for a partial exemption from ad valorem taxation of the residence homestead of a partially disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a partially disabled veteran if the homestead was donated to the veteran by a charitable organization. Although the words disabled veteran assures passage, this amendment is more about incentivizing charitable giveaways (for corporate tax write-offs) than supporting veterans. Proposition 5: Yes. Would authorize the making of a reverse mortgage loan for the purchase of homestead property and to amend lender disclosures and other requirements in connection with a reverse mortgage loan. This would add a homestead purchase option (via existing home equity) to existing reverse mortgage law; would make it easier for elderly to sell/buy a homestead in a single transaction. Proposition 6: Yes. Would establish a state water fund. The recent deluges cannot hide the fact that Texas is in a drought. Even if it ended tomorrow, there is no guarantee the states water pipes and reservoirs could supply its ever-swelling population. The Texas Legislature has spent decades ignoring the leaks in the infrastructure, and Prop. 6 helps redress that. It creates the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas and pulls $2 billion from the Rainy Day Fund into its coffers. From there, it will be loaned out at low rates to local and regional government authorities to invest in vital and long-overdue infrastructure restoration, replacement, and construction. The projects in question have already been identified by the Texas Water Development Board, and the cash should put a dent in Texas needs for the next 50 years. Its passage will also send a clear message to lawmakers that the Rainy Day Fund, contrary to conservative dogma, is not sacrosanct, and Texans want it to be used on essential investment in the states well being. Of course, building new reservoirs and pipes will not be enough by itself, and so the TWDB will direct 20% of the dollars approved to recycling and conservation programs, plus 10% to rural political subdivisions and agricultural water conservation. This is the rare measure that has found support not only across the political divide, but also bound together business interests and environmentalists. Shell Oil and Environment Texas found common ground to back this vital measure, and we do too. Proposition 7: Yes. Would authorize a home-rule municipality to provide in its charter the procedure to fill a vacancy on its governing body, if the unexpired term is 12 months or less. Multiplying elections for very short terms is counterproductive and expensive. Proposition 8: Yes. Would repeal Section 7, Article IX, Texas Constitution, which relates to the creation of a hospital district in Hidalgo County. The current law is a single-jurisdiction provision that does not belong in the Constitution, and has hampered the creation of a Hidalgo County hospital district; county voters can decide for themselves if and how to fund a district. Proposition 9: Yes. Would expand the types of sanctions that may be assessed against a judge or justice following a formal proceeding instituted by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. This would remove a disincentive to the conduct of open proceedings.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Nov 2013 12:26:58 +0000
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