CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ELECTION
November  3, 2009

Chairman Dean Winkler and the Home PAC Trustees would like to advise you of the items that you can expect to see on the ballot on November 3rd.  Early voting will last from October 19th through October 30th.  As always, Home PAC encourages you to vote and to consider the constitutional amendments that are on the ballot.  For those that live in the Belton Independent School District, we encourage you to support the BISD school bond.  BISD is growing and needs the facilities to be able to properly house and educate our kids.  For information about the bond, please visit our website presentations page.

Also notice the local options (Troy Sales Tax Reauthorization, Temple liquor, etc).  The Texas Association of Builders (TAB) is particularly interested in statewide propositions 1, 2, 3, 5 & 11 and is in support of each of these items.  We've added their commentary to the following items.   

PROPOSITIONS ON THE BALLOT

Proposition 1 - HJR 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."

TAB says HJR 132 would amend the constitution to authorize the legislature to allow a municipality or a county to issue bonds and notes to finance the purchase of buffer areas or open spaces adjacent to military installations.  The buffer areas would be used to prevent encroachment or to construct roadway utilities or other infrastructure to protect or promote the mission of the military installation.  The municipality or county may pledge increases in ad valorem tax revenues for repayment of the bonds or notes.

Proposition 2 - HJR 36-1
"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."  

TAB says HJR 36-1 would amend the constitution to authorize the legislature to provide for the taxation of a residence homestead solely on the basis of the property's value as a residence homestead, regardless of whether the property may have higher value if used for other purposes.

Proposition 3 - HJR 36-3
"The constitutional amendment providing for uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for ad valorem tax purposes."

TAB says HJR 36-3 would amend the constitution to require the legislature to provide for the administration and enforcement of uniform standards and procedures for appraisal of property for ad valorem tax purposes.

Proposition 4 - HJR 14-2

"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."

Proposition 5 - HJR 36-2

"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."

TAB says HJR 36-2 would amend the constitution to authorize the legislature to allow for a single appraisal review board for two or more adjoining appraisal entities that elect to provide for consolidated reviews of tax appraisals.

Proposition 6 - HJR 116

"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 - HJR 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."

Proposition 8 - HJR 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."

Proposition 9 - HJR 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."

Proposition 10 - HJR 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."

Proposition 11 - HJR 14-1

"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."

TAB say HJR 14-1 would amend the constitution to provide that the taking of private property for public use (eminent domain) is authorized only if it is for ownership, use, and enjoyment of the property by the State, its political subdivisions, the public at large, or by entities granted the power of eminent domain, or for the removal of urban blight.  The amendment would prohibit the taking of private property for transfer to a private entity for the purpose of economic development or to increase tax revenues.  The amendment would also limit the legislature's authority to grant the power of eminent domain in the future unless it is approved by a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to each house.

City of Temple Liquor Option Election

For / Against    "The Legal Sale of All Alcoholic Beverages Including Mixed Beverages."

Moody ISD Special Election

For / Against    "The Issuance of $11,500,000 of School Building Bonds for Moody Independent School District and Levying The Tax In Payment Thereof." 

City of Troy Special Election

For / Against    "The Reauthorization Of A Local Sales And Use Tax In The City of Troy At The Rate Of One-Fourth Of One Percent (1/4%) To Continue Providing Revenue For Maintenance And Repair Of Municipal Streets."

Belton ISD Special Election

For / Against    "The Issuance Of $29,000,000 Of School Building Bonds For Acquiring, Constructing, and Equipping School Buildings, Including A New Middle School; And The Levying Of A Tax In Payment Of The Bonds And To Pay The Costs Of Any Credit Agreements Executed Or Authorized.

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