Bohac Encourages Houstonians To Vote On Important Constitutional Amendments

AUSTIN, TEXAS—During the 81st session of the Texas Legislature eight joint resolutions were passed that propose 11 amendments to the Texas Constitution. These proposed amendments will be offered to the voters of Texas for approval on the November 3, 2009 election ballot.

“These initiatives will have a profound impact on our state,” said State Representative Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston). “The 11 amendments will address issues such as protecting private property rights, helping veterans, appraisal reform, higher education, and protecting Texas’ beaches.”

Proposition #1: Allows local governments to finance the purchase of land to create buffer zones around military bases.

Proposition #1 language: “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.”

Proposition #2: Stipulates that appraisals of homesteads will be based on the current use of a residence homestead and not the potential value of the property if the home is flipped to a commercial development.

Proposition #2 language: “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.”

Proposition #3: Allows the Comptroller to enforce uniform appraisal standards for property tax purposes.

Proposition #3 language: “The constitutional amendment providing for uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for ad valorem tax purposes.”

Proposition #4: This initiative proposes promote 7 Texas Universities to Tier One status. This change will provide more research dollars to recruit top talent from around the world and ultimately lead to job growth in Texas. The 7 Universities eligible for Tier One Funding are: The University of Houston, The University of Texas- El Paso, The University of Texas- San Antonio, Texas Tech University, The University of Texas- Arlington, The University of North Texas and The University of Texas- Dallas.

Proposition #4 language: “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.”

Proposition #5: Allows for the consolidation of appraisal review boards across counties.

Proposition #5 language: “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.”

Proposition #6: Renews the Veterans’ Land Board bonding authority for home loans to veterans.

Proposition #6 language: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the Veterans’ Land Board to issue general obligation bonds in amounts equal to or less than amounts previously authorized.”

Proposition #7: Allows members of the Texas State Guard to hold civil office.

Proposition #7 language: “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.”

Proposition #8: Allows the state to contribute resources to build veterans hospitals.

Proposition #8 language: “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.”

Proposition #9: Establishes a constitutional right to access and use public beaches along the Gulf Coast.

Proposition #9 language: “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.”

Proposition #10: Allows the elected board of directors for emergency service districts to serve 4-year terms instead of 2-year terms.

Proposition #10 language: “The constitutional amendment to provide that elected members of the governing boards of emergency services districts may serve terms not to exceed four years.”

Proposition #11: Restricts the use of eminent domain by a government entity to one that is solely for public use. This constitutional amendment will prohibit government taking of private property for public use if the purpose is for economic development or enhancement of tax revenue.

Proposition #11 language: “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.”

• Get additional information regarding the proposed constitutional amendments
• Early voting runs from October 19th-October 30th and Election Day is November 3rd.