The 2007 Parade Of Texas Constitutional Amendments

Odd numbered years are such an exciting time at the ballot box. November 2007 will be no different, as the Texas Legislature has once again left the wily voters a slew of Constitutional amendments to ponder. Of course, none of us ever really know why we have to vote on someone’s mineral rights in south Texas, but on occasion we do.

I guess it is kind of neat that the people of Texas have so much say in how their government is run, but it would be nice to have elected officials who can do it for us. But alas, we have a constitution that still harkens back to the days of the Republic. 17 fresh amendments await us this fall.

HJR 6
"The constitutional amendment authorizing the denial of bail to a person who violates certain court orders or conditions of release in a felony or family violence case."

Denying bail to flight risks is one thing and I am sure should be left up to the discretion of a judge. I find it odd that judges wouldn’t already have this ability to deny bail in a felony case. Maybe this is an exercise in redundancy, or maybe judges really need this ability clearly spelled out in our criminal system.

HJR 19
"The constitutional amendment to require that a record vote be taken by a house of the legislature on final passage of any bill, other than certain local bills, of a resolution proposing or ratifying a constitutional amendment, or of any other nonceremonial resolution, and to provide for public access on the Internet to those record votes."

Any amendment that holds our elected officials accountable in the public record is a good one. Especially when they start speaking of the interwebs and how bloggers can sit in the comfort of their own homes and point fingers at people like Craddick. Recorded votes seem like a no brainer.

HJR 30
"The constitutional amendment to allow governmental entities to sell property acquired through eminent domain back to the previous owners at the price the entities paid to acquire the property."

The right to give back what you stole seems fair. Although it seems a little odd that the government entity wouldn’t be selling back the property at its appreciated value. Most properties do not go down in value when they are purchased. This ballot language only “allows” the entity to sell your 1999 $10 valued land back to you in 2007 for $10, but it doesn’t mean they have to.

HJR 36
"The constitutional amendment permitting a justice or judge who reaches the mandatory retirement age while in office to serve the remainder of the justice's or judge's current term."

Why create a vacancy just because a birthday falls in the middle of a term? Let them serve out their terms.

HJR 40
"The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide that the maximum appraised value of a residence homestead for ad valorem taxation is limited to the lesser of the most recent market value of the residence homestead as determined by the appraisal entity or 110 percent, or a greater percentage, of the appraised value of the residence homestead for the preceding tax year."

I believe what they are trying to say here is that your tax value can not be greater than market value. Though, we would be allowing an appraisal district to determine market value of a home using this language.

HJR 54
"The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation one motor vehicle owned by an individual and used in the course of the owner's occupation or profession and also for personal activities of the owner."

All I can read here is no tax on something. So yes, I agree.

HJR 69
"The constitutional amendment to abolish the constitutional authority for the office of inspector of hides and animals."

This is pretty self explanatory. I have to assume the inspector’s duties would fall to the Department of Agriculture in some way, and I would love to see Todd Staples inspecting some wet salted cow hides. There is nothing quite like the smell of dead cow and chemicals that can eat through steel.

HJR 72
"The constitutional amendment to clarify certain provisions relating to the making of a home equity loan and use of home equity loan proceeds."

This language doesn’t really seem to clarify anything since it is so vague.

HJR 90
"The constitutional amendment requiring the creation of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and authorizing the issuance of up to $3 billion in bonds payable from the general revenues of the state for research in Texas to find the causes of and cures for cancer."

Curing cancer = Good. That is all you need to know. If you do not vote for this one, you truly are a cruel soulless conservative.

HJR 103
"The constitutional amendment providing for the continuation of the constitutional appropriation for facilities and other capital items at Angelo State University on a change in the governance of the university."

Colleges need money. Kids need good institutions of higher learning. The state is actually willing to pay for this. Shock and awe is in order.

SJR 20
"The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of additional general obligation bonds by the Texas Water Development Board in an amount not to exceed $250 million to provide assistance to economically distressed areas."

Poor people need water too. Good call.

SJR 29
"The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt all or part of the residence homesteads of certain totally disabled veterans from ad valorem taxation and authorizing a change in the manner of determining the amount of the existing exemption from ad valorem taxation to which a disabled veteran is entitled."

No taxes on a veteran’s house, if the Legislature feels like it. Sounds like the least we can do for someone who served our country.

SJR 44
"The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit the voters of a municipality having a population of less than 10,000 to authorize the governing body of the municipality to enter into an agreement with an owner of real property in or adjacent to an area in the municipality that has been approved for funding under certain programs administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture under which the parties agree that all ad valorem taxes imposed on the owner's property may not be increased for the first five tax years after the tax year in which the agreement is entered into."

Rural land owners who have program grants from the Texas Department of Agriculture will not have their taxes increased for 5 years. I think. Or, this could just be an out for a wealthy land owner to save on his taxes for half a decade.

SJR 57
"The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of $500 million in general obligation bonds to finance educational loans to students and authorizing bond enhancement agreements with respect to general obligation bonds issued for that purpose."

More bond money to pay for more student loans. Kids need more loan money since they keep cutting their grant programs.

SJR 64
"The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of general obligation bonds by the Texas Transportation Commission in an amount not to exceed $5 billion to provide funding for highway improvement projects."

More bond money to pay for highway improvements. Well, this is certainly better than tolling every road in the state.

SJR 65
"The constitutional amendment authorizing the issuance of up to $1 billion in bonds payable from the general revenues of the state for maintenance, improvement, repair, and construction projects and for the purchase of needed equipment."

More bond money to maintain and build new government buildings, I assume. I guess we don’t want our officials working in squalor.