Upcoming election worth some study

Early voting has begun for the Nov. 3 referendum on 11 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution. Almost every amendment could have a direct affect on West Texas residents, especially with respect to property rights, valuation and taxation, making it all the more important for people to make their opinions known on these matters.
Our state Constitution is a prime example of unnecessary use of the state’s principal legal document. According to the state’s Legislative Reference Library, ours is one of the longest in the country, and has grown every two years as amendments are added after every biennial legislative session.

In the 133 years since it was first adopted, legislators have proposed 635 amendments to the Texas Constitution and voters have approved a whopping 456 of them.

Many of the changes use the state’s prime legal document to lock in laws that are local in nature or can be addressed adequately by simple legislation. That is the case this year as well, including Proposition 8, which calls for having state taxpayers pay for the construction of federally operated veterans hospitals in the Rio Grande Valley and El Paso.

Many of the 2009 amendments belong in the document, however, as they prescribe and proscribe rules governing taxation, property appraisals and the seizure of private property for economic development.

In the coming days voters will be exposed to arguments supporting and opposing various amendments. Sometimes the language in proposed amendments is somewhat confusing, but it pays to do some research if you plan on voting.

Historically, very few voters have turned out for constitutional referendums. The last package of amendments, offered in 2007, was decided by 8.7 percent of the state’s registered voters, and they comprised just 6.3 percent of all Texans who were old enough to vote.

Low turnouts generally favor the amendments, as evidenced by the historical 72 percent success rate. Those supporting various measures tend to be more motivated to vote, and thus they usually outnumber opponents when turnout is light. That’s unfortunate, since all Texans must live with the consequences of the vote, which many times means government growth, higher taxation or lost rights and freedoms.

As always, we don’t just encourage Permian Basin residents to get out and vote; we ask that they cast informed votes, so that the most reasonable decisions decide the fate of these proposals, and all Texans who will be affected by the outcome of the vote.

The Texas Legislative Council has prepared an analysis of each of the 11 proposed amendments on the ballot. It includes the actual ballot wording, the legislation that led to the proposed amendment, and arguments for and against each measure. It can be found on the TLC’s website, www.tlc.state.tx.us, or through http://tinyurl.com/yhje8uv.

This information is a good place to start learning about the proposed amendments. All Texans must live with the effects of those that are passed, and will miss any opportunities that might have been offered by any that fail.
It is, therefore, worth the relatively little time necessary to learn about the proposals, go to the polls, and make informed decisions that can help improve the future for all Texans.