Rep. Bohac Reminds Voters of the 2011 Joint Election in Harris County
HOUSTON-- Early Voting has begun for the 2011 Joint Election in Harris County and will continue through Friday, November 4, 2011. Election Day is Tuesday, November 8. This election includes several local cities, school boards, a community college and utility districts, as well as voting on ten proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution. During early voting, all eligible voters can cast their ballot at any of the 37 early voting locations throughout Harris County. If voters wait until Election Day, they must vote in the precinct listed on their voter registration card.
Since the adoption of our current Texas Constitution in 1876, the Legislature has sent 643 amendments to the voters, of which 467 have been approved. For a proposed amendment to reach voters, it must pass with two-thirds support in both the State House of Representatives and the State Senate.
"Our state's constitution was designed to ensure that any approved amendments are put through a more rigorous process than a normal bill," Representative Bohac said. "A House or Senate bill's fate hinges on having only one more vote than the other side. Constitutional amendments, however, require more than two-thirds approval in each house and are subject to the will of the people.”
For additional information on Harris County Early Voting locations and times, sample ballots and your Election Day information please visit www.harrisvotes.com or call the Harris County Clerk's Election Information line at (713) 755-6965.
Below is a list of the ten proposed constitutional amendments and a short description. For more detailed information and resources regarding the amendments, please visit the Texas Legislative Council's website http://www.tlc.state.tx.us/const_amends.htm.
Amendment No. 1 (S.J.R. 14):
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.
Amendment No. 2 (S.J.R. 4):
The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of additional general obligation bonds by the Texas Water Development Board in an amount not to exceed $6 billion at any time outstanding.
Amendment No. 3 (S.J.R. 50):
The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of general obligation bonds of the state to finance educational loans to students.
Amendment No. 4 (H.J.R. 63):
The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit a county to issue bonds or notes to finance the development or redevelopment of an unproductive, underdeveloped, or blighted area and to pledge for repayment of the bonds or notes increases in ad valorem taxes imposed by the county on property in the area. The amendment does not provide authority for increasing ad valorem tax rates.
Amendment No. 5 (S.J.R. 26):
The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to allow cities or counties to enter into interlocal contracts with other cities or counties without the imposition of a tax or the provision of a sinking fund.
Amendment No. 6 (H.J.R. 109):
The constitutional amendment clarifying references to the permanent school fund, allowing the General Land Office to distribute revenue from permanent school fund land or other properties to the available school fund to provide additional funding for public education, and providing for an increase in the market value of the permanent school fund for the purpose of allowing increased distributions from the available school fund.
Amendment No. 7 (S.J.R. 28):
The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit conservation and reclamation districts in El Paso County to issue bonds supported by ad valorem taxes to fund the development and maintenance of parks and recreational facilities.
Amendment No. 8 (S.J.R. 16):
The constitutional amendment providing for the appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes of open-space land devoted to water-stewardship purposes on the basis of its productive capacity.
Amendment No. 9 (S.J.R. 9):
The constitutional amendment authorizing the governor to grant a pardon to a person who successfully completes a term of deferred adjudication community supervision.
Amendment No. 10 (S.J.R. 37):
The constitutional amendment to change the length of the unexpired term that causes the automatic resignation of certain elected county or district officeholders if they become candidates for another office.
On November 2, 2010, Representative Dwayne Bohac was overwhelmingly re-elected to a fifth-term to represent House District 138. Rep. Bohac is a proud, lifelong resident of the district who has focused on improving local quality life. During the 82nd Legislature, Bohac helped pass a balanced state budget without raising taxes, a resolution calling for a federal balanced budget amendment, voter photo ID legislation, legislation that requires proof of citizenship to obtain a Texas drivers license, stronger pro-life legislation, "loser pays" tort reform, and secured an additional $1.6 billion for public education funding.
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