To make well-informed votes educate yourselves on the proposed changes
By State Rep. Todd Hunter
AUSTIN Texas (Texas Insider Report) According to the Legislative Reference Library Texas voters have approved 498 Amendments to the State Constitution since its adoption in 1876. On Tuesday November 5th the residents of Texas have the ability to vote on 10 Proposed Amendments to the Texas Constitution.
These 10 Amendments were introduced by legislators in the 86th Legislative Session.
Over the next few weeks we will review each proposed amendment and this week review the first three propositions.
Proposition 1: Allowing municipal court judges to hold office in more than one municipality.
The wording on the ballot will be:
- The constitutional amendment permitting a person to hold more than one office as a municipal judge at the same time."
To summarize this proposition would amend Texas Constitution Article 3 to allow a person to hold office as municipal judge in more than one municipality at the same time regardless of whether the person was elected or appointed to each office.
Proposition 2: Allowing the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to issue more water development project bonds.
The wording on the ballot will be:
- The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of additional general obligation bonds by the Texas Water Development Board in an amount not to exceed $200 million to provide financial assistance for the development of certain projects in economically distressed areas."
This proposition would allow the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to issue additional general obligation bonds for the Economically Distressed Areas Program account. The bonds would be used to provide financial assistance for developing water supply and sewer service projects in economically distressed areas of the state.
TWDB could issue the bonds in amounts such that the aggregate principal amount of the bonds issued under the amended section that were outstanding at any time did not exceed $200 million.
Proposition 3: Allowing temporary property tax exemptions after a disaster.
The wording on the ballot will be:
- The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion of the appraised value of certain property damaged by a disaster."
Under the proposition and its enabling legislation property owners would be entitled to a temporary exemption after a disaster if it occurred before the local tax rate was set. If the disaster occurred after rates were set local governments would have the option to allow the exemption.
Educate yourself & make well-informed votes
To make well-informed votes we must educate ourselves on the changes proposed.
- For more information on these propositions please visit https://hro.house.texas.gov/pdf/focus/amend86.pdf.
- This site includes more Details & Specifics on each Amendment.
- You will also have access to the arguments For & Against each Amendment on this website as well.
If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned above please dont hesitate to call my Capitol or District Offices. As always my offices are available at any time to assist you with Constituent Services questions concerns or comments (Capitol Office: 512-463-0672; District Office: 361-949-4603).
And feel free to contact my office if you have questions or issues regarding any Texas State Agency.
Texas State Representative Todd Hunter represents Texas House District 32 covering Aransas Calhoun Nueces (Part) & San Patricio Counties. He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672.
