Ballot Order Set for Constitutional Amendments Election in Texas

  Ballot order set for constitutional amendments election in Texas.

In the wake of the Texas Legislatures 81st session there are several constitional amendments that will be up for public approval this November.  Voter turnout is notoriously low for these type of elections but every citizen needs to appreciate their freedom to choose in this great nation and get out the vote on November 3, 2009!

Ballot order set for constitutional amendments election.

Texans will go to the polls on November 3 to approve or disapprove of proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution that were passed by legislators during the recent legislative session. Legislators must pass any proposal to amend the constitution by a two-thirds majority vote, but an amendment is not effective until a majority of voters pass the measure. Section 274.002, Election Code, requires that if "more than one proposed constitutional amendment is to be submitted in an election, the order of the propositions submitting the amendments shall be determined by a drawing" held by the Texas secretary of state.

Because there are 11 proposed amendments this year, Secretary of State Hope Andrade held the drawing in late July to determine their order on the ballot. Next month's Legislative Liaison will detail each proposal. You will notice that Propositions 2, 3, and 5 are appraisal-reform measures strongly supported by the Texas Association of REALTORS®.

Proposition 11, also supported by the association, is the eminent domain measure referenced above.

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

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.

Proposition 3 - HRJ 36-3 The constitutional amendment providing for uniform standards and procedures for the 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.

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.

I would like to thank the Texas Association of REALTORS for their dedication and vigilance in observing the political process in Texas and staying on top of the issues that affect our industry and the people we serve.  For more information on private property rights and real estate in Texas, contact Jeani Thomas Richie, Broker of EXIT Hill Country Realty.