Early voting begins Monday in propositions' election
By SHARON KERR Staff Writer

The first day of early voting begins Monday, Oct. 22. Jasper County Clerk Debbie Newman says that typically more than half the Jasper voters will cast their ballots in early voting, available at the courthouse annex Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Oct. 22 - Nov. 2.

Early voting is also available in Kirbyville, at the Buna sub-courthouse and the Evadale Fire Hall on Friday only, Oct. 26, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

If you wait until Nov. 6, Election Day, you will need to vote at one of the 21 polling places in Jasper County as listed on your voter registration card.

It is past the date you can register to vote (Oct. 9), but if you cannot locate your voter registration card or need to update your address, now is the time to do that at the county clerk's office or by phone, 384-2632.

At stake in the election is 16 proposed amendments to the Texas constitution. The results of the Nov. 6 election involve billions of dollars in bonds and financial obligations that, ultimately, Texas taxpayers must choose to support or deny.

To understand the propositions, Newman recommends the League of Women Voters (LWV) of Texas who publish a non-partisan Voters Guide with arguments for and against each proposition (www.lwvtexas.org).

But the most concise summary of propositions is on democratic state representative Scott Hochberg's website (www.scotthochberg. com).

These are the proposals you will be asked to decide:

Proposition 1

Corrects the Constitution to list Angelo State University as part of the Texas Tech system, to match a change made by the Legislature (previously ASU was part of the Texas State University System).

For: will enable ASU to continue to receive funds from the Higher Education Fund.

Against: Moving ASU to the Texas Tech system means higher tuition; the move should be reversed.

Proposition 2

Authorizes an additional $500 million in state bonds for college student loans. According to the LWV, the current $400 million will be exhausted by 2009.

For: does not use tax dollars; having educated work force helps Texas attract better paying jobs.

Against: increases the state's debt and could leave taxpayers responsible if a downturn in the economy means interest revenue is not sufficient.

Proposition 3

Clarifies that the appraised value of a homestead for property taxes cannot increase by more than 10 percent in any year, even if more than a year has passed since the home was last appraised (Hochberg).

For: puts the Constitution in agreement with the intent of the Legislature when it approved the 10 percent cap in 1997 (LWV).

Against: "Rather than protecting taxpayers... (this proposal) encourages taxing authorities to reappraise more frequently" (LWV).

Proposition 4

Authorizes $1 billion in additional state bonds for prisons, DPS, mental health and other state projects (Hochberg).

For: Putting off maintenance, repairs and renovations can result in still greater expense (LWV); Prop 4 will fund important projects we should prioritize (Hochberg).

Against: The state should rely more on a "pay as you go" policy (LWV); we should not use bond money to pay ongoing expenses like maintenance (Hochberg).

Proposition 5

Cities with populations under 10,000 (like Jasper and Kirbvyille) can allow tax breaks for downtown development if approved by local voters (also called Main Street or Downtown Revitalization Program).

For: Allows cities to create property incentives for owners to improve downtown buildings, a taxing tool they do not have (Hochberg and LWV).

Against: Since this bill shifts the tax burden for some, other taxpayers will have to pay more.

Proposition 6

Exempts from property taxes one motor vehicle which is owned by an individual and used in business and for personal purposes.

For: This amendment would benefit realtors, farmers, and small business owners who operate personal vehicles for commercial purposes (LWV).

Against: Many individuals have two or more dual purpose vehicles (LWV); the Legislature has always taxed property used for the production of income (Hochberg).

Proposition 7

Allows property sold to the government through eminent domain to be bought back by the seller at the original sales price if the government does not use the property.

For: Prop 7 establishes a safeguard against "the excessive and reckless use of eminent domain" (LWV); this amendment discourages governmental entities from taking private land without specific use for the land (Hochberg).

Against: If the owner has been compensated, he has been relieved of risk and taxes associated with the property for a period of time; allowing the owner to re-acquire at the original sales price could allow him to reap a windfall profit without any of the risk or costs associated with holding that property (Hochberg).

Proposition 8

Changing consumer protections for home equity loans; according to LWV, Prop 8 clarifies laws allowing home equity lines of credit and tries to offer protections to borrowers and lenders.

For: This allows homeowners in an area covered by a declaration of emergency (such as Jasper County after Hurricane Rita) to obtain a second home equity loan with a one year period (LWV), and it also covers several provisions that strengthen consumer protections (Hochberg).

Against: This amendment does not address fees and problems with home equity loan administration; it does not go far enough to protect borrowers and monitor lenders (LWV and Hochberg)

Proposition 9

Exempts totally disabled veterans from property taxes. Currently they receive up to $12,000 exempted on their homestead property.

For: "Prop 9 would remove a significant burden for fully disabled veterans... who have given their all in defense of our nation (Hochberg); "the state should do everything it can to assist totally disabled veterans" (LWV).

Against: reduces resources available to tax districts.

Proposition 10

Abolishes the office of inspector of hides and animals.

For: Office has been non-existent since 1990.

Against: Proposition is incomplete; Legislature also needs to delete statutory references to the office to prevent someone from filing for election to the office.

Proposition 11

Requires how each legislator voted on the final vote on most bills to be recorded and posted on the internet.

For: Establishes a record of accountability which the public can easily access.

Against: Does not go far enough; should require record votes on all steps of the legislative process (LWV and Hochberg).

Proposition 12

Authorizes $5 billion in additional state bonds for highways.

For: Population increases have overloaded the capacity of the road and bridge system; bonds have a lower interest rate than current funding (LWV); "Texas will never catch up with demand if it does not use bonds to fund projects" (Hochberg).

Against: Funding transportation needs could be met by raising gas taxes (LWV); "borrowing money increases cost and passes those costs along to future taxpayers" (Hochberg).

Proposition 13

Allows a judge to deny bail to defendants in family violence cases who violate certain conditions of their initial release on bail. "The burden of proof... would be the 'preponderance of evidence' standard, rather than the stricter 'beyond a reasonable doubt' standard used in criminal cases" (Hochberg).

For: Strengthens domestic violence laws and protects community (LWV); family violence victims are especially vulnerable and deserve special protection (Hochberg).

Against: Bail is a constitutional right that should be eliminated only in the most limited circumstances (LWV).

Proposition 14

Allow judges to serve their entire term even if they reach mandatory retirement age while serving. Currently, judges must leave the bench when they reach age 75.

For: Long-term judicial service provides an incentive to keep experienced judges on the bench (LWV); judges over age 75 are capable of serving (Hochberg).

Against: Entrance of new judges who are more aware of modern trends and developments is delayed.

Proposition 15

Authorizes up to $3 billion in bonds for a new program to fund cancer research, to be spread over 10 years at a maximum of $300 million per year.

Note: the proposed Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas is not a construction project; the proposed institute would oversee grants awarded to existing cancer research facilities such as M.D. Anderson.

For: More than 75,000 Texas are diagnosed with cancer yearly, and more than 35,000 die from cancer; the cost of bonds would be offset by new jobs (LWV). "The state has the institutions to support such research but more funding is needed to use them to full advantage. This spending will help to encourage landmark discoveries, help scientists and doctors develop tools to treat and prevent cancer, and create jobs in scientific and medical fields" (Hochberg).

Against: State funding could be better spent on other health care needs such as taking care of the uninsured and prevention of communicable diseases (LWV); borrowing through the sale of bonds is the wrong way to finance this proposal (Hochberg).

Proposition 16

Authorizes $250 million in additional state bonds for water and sewers in existing subdivisions in economically distressed areas.

For: Extending water service makes economic sense because it will enable businesses to move into these areas, improving the tax base and providing jobs (LWV); without additional funding, residents in economically distressed areas will continue to live in communities lacking the basic infrastructure most of us take for granted (Hochberg).

Against: In spite of already spending $500 million in state and federal funds, the problem has not been solved; by extending water lines into unincorporated areas, it encourages people to move into regions that are costly to serve.

More information on the proposed amendments is also available from the Texas Secretary of State, www.sos.state.tx.us.

Election Day, Nov. 6, the polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

This is the last of a series by Jasper County Clerk Debbie Newman to inform and encourage people to exercise their right to vote.