State and Local Voting – Nov. 5th.

The fact that early voting opened yesterday convinced me I needed to get off my duff and talk about the issues on the ballot. For me at least, there are no officials to elect but there are 9 Constitutional Amendments and one local Proposition.

Local first

Proposition
“The legal sale of all alcoholic beverages including mixed beverages.”

For the uninformed (be you out of town visitors or not), Arlington is a mostly “dry” town. You can purchase beer and wine in many locations but liquor is limited to a few “non-Arlington” locations within the city. Confusing isn’t it. There are places in Arlington, like Pantego or Dalworthington Gardens, where liquor stores can be established but for the most part, they are forbidden.

This proposal would make the entire city open for the sale of liquor.

I’m voting For.

On the state level, here are the proposed changes to the state Constitution. Texas has a very system of very limited legislative power; most things that would be a matter of law require changing the Constitution. That is why we have one of the most amended Constitutions in the country.

Proposition 1
“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 member of the armed services of the United States who is killed in action.”

A exemption of on property taxes for a spouse of someone killed in action — what’s not to like about that. Even if it didn’t have the benefit of reducing how much money governmental entities received.

I’m voting For.

Proposition 2The constitutional amendment eliminating an obsolete requirement for a State Medical Education Board and a State Medical Education Fund, neither of which is operational.

Removing outdated requirements — enough said.

I’m voting For.

Proposition 3
The constitutional amendment to authorize a political subdivision of this state to extend the number of days that aircraft parts that are exempt from ad valorem taxation due to their location in this state for a temporary period may be located in this state for purposes of qualifying for the tax exemption.

This one is tougher to call. I don’t think the state should be granting one industry an advantage over another. Why should Aircraft parts be exempt more than watercraft parts or blender parts?
On the other hand, it also makes Texas more attractive to businesses and denies the state additional revenue.

And that is a good thing.

I’m voting For.

Proposition 4
The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of part of the market value of the residence homestead of a partially disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a partially disabled veteran if the residence homestead was donated to the disabled veteran by a charitable organization.

There are more and more charitable organizations stepping up and providing for our disabled veterans. Sad that it  has to be that way but I think it is a good thing not to put them on the hook for taxes they might not be able to afford after getting such largess.

I’m voting For.

Proposition 5
The constitutional amendment to 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.

Another case where I don’t think the government should be involved but they already are. This amendment makes it legal for seniors (62+) to sell a house through a ‘reverse mortgage’ and buy a smaller / less expensive home in a single transaction. I can’t see a down side to this except some unsuspecting seniors may be taken advantage of……and that would already happen regardless of this amendment.

I’m voting For.

Proposition 6
The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas and the State Water Implementation Revenue Fund for Texas to assist in the financing of priority projects in the state water plan to ensure the availability of adequate water resources.

While I support the state’s efforts at water conservation and planning, I can’t really get behind this amendment. Basically the idea is to take $2,000,000,000 from the ‘rainy day fund’ and put it into water planing and funding. I think it is a bad idea to pull money out of the emergency fund and definitely a worse way to finance for water resources projects. Let’s put those projects into the general revenue fund and see how many people support them….or want to support other projects over water resources.

I’m voting Against.

Proposition 7
The constitutional amendment authorizing a home-rule municipality to provide in its charter the procedure to fill a vacancy on its governing body for which the unexpired term is 12 months or less.

This is another I’m mixed about. I like the idea of finding a less expensive way of filling vacancies that will be up for election again soon. On the other hand, do we really want the established politicians giving one of their cronies the advantage of the incumbency so easily and so soon before the election.
I think in the long run, it is better to leave a position vacant if the city doesn’t want to pay for a special election ( population can have a say in that or not ) then to have someone appointed and all the advantages that entails.

I’m voting Against.

Proposition 8 The constitutional amendment repealing Section 7, Article IX, Texas Constitution, which relates to the creation of a hospital district in Hidalgo County

This is how silly the Constitutional Amendments can be. The original requirement creating the hospital district was voting into existence in 1960. This is a single jurisdiction issue that doesn’t belong in the Constitution. Let’s repeal it and threaten to tar and feather any politicians who brings up another vote like it.

I’m voting For.

Proposition 9
The constitutional amendment relating to expanding 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.

I had to look at this one carefully because the proposition doesn’t disclose what type of sanctions that may be assessed. Here is the wording from the Senate Joint Resolution the proposition came from:

If, after formal hearing, or after considering the   record and report of a Master, the Commission finds good cause   therefor, it shall issue an order of public admonition, warning,   reprimand, censure, or requirement that the person holding an   office or position specified in Subsection (6) of this Section   obtain additional training or education, or it shall recommend to a   review tribunal the removal or retirement, as the case may be, of   the person [in question holding an office or position specified in   Subsection (6) of this Section] and shall thereupon file with the   tribunal the entire record before the Commission.

Okay…good and bad possibilities in this one. The idea that a judge could get off with a ‘warning’ or ‘admonition’ for a serious issue is troubling. But prior to this, it looks like it was an ‘either/or’ vote; either they were removed from the bench or they were cleared. Having more options open and having the results known is what tips the scale for me. Judges in Texas are elected; let the people decide after hearing the facts.

I’m voting For.
Please join the discussion.