Texas Constitutional Amendments - Nov 2009

Harris County Libertarian PartyPositions on the November 3rd, 2009 Constitutional Amendment Election

Proposition 1(HJR 132)
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 roadways 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.
The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: "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."

RECOMMENDATION: NO
RATIONALE: The measure would increase municipal or county spending and taxes.

Proposition 2(HJR 36 - #1)
HJR 36 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 a higher value if it were used for other purposes.
The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: "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."

RECOMMENDATION: YES
RATIONALE: This amendment promotes property tax fairness in that it provides that residences will be taxed on the basis of their actual use regardless of whether that is the highest and best use of the property.

Proposition 4(HJR 14 - #2)
HJR 14 would amend the constitution to establish the national research university fund to provide a source of funding that will enable emerging research universities in this state to develop into major research universities. The amendment would require the legislature to dedicate state revenue to the fund and to transfer the balance of the existing higher education fund to the national research university fund. This amendment would further require the legislature to establish the criteria by which a state university may become eligible to receive and use distributions from the fund.
The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: "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."

RECOMMENDATION: NO
RATIONALE: This amendment allows the creation of another state government “slush” fund, providing further opportunities for corruption and misuse, and increasing state spending and taxes.

Proposition 6(HJR 116)
HJR 116 would amend the constitution to authorize the Veterans' Land Board to issue general obligation bonds, subject to certain constitutional limits, for the purpose of selling land and providing home or land mortgage loans to veterans of the state.
The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the Veterans ’ Land Board to issue general obligation bonds in amounts equal to or less than amounts previously authorized."

RECOMMENDATION: NO
RATIONALE: The measure provides special land deals and loans for one class of citizen – the veteran – at the expense of higher taxes for all of the citizens of this state.

Proposition 8(HJR 7)
HJR 7 would amend the constitution to authorize the state to contribute money, property, and other resources for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of veterans’ hospitals in this state.
The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: “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.”

RECOMMENDATION: NO

RATIONALE: This measure will increase state expenses and ultimately state taxes, while providing special benefits for only a small group of citizens. Further, the obligation for national defense, including care for veterans, is a national one, not a state one.