Next to Last Column on Proposed Amendments

by Jeff Wentworth
State Senator District 25

This is the fifth column in a series on the 16 proposed constitutional amendments that Texans will vote either for or against on November 6 or during the early voting period which began October 22.

Amendment 10 would abolish the constitutional authority for the office of inspector of hides and animals.  This office was necessary during the days of cattle drives and rustlers; however it was abolished by state law in 2006 and all references to it should also be removed from the Texas Constitution.

Although many Texans believe that every legislative vote is recorded this is not the case.  Amendment 11 would require that a record vote be taken on final passage of any bill other than certain local bills and ceremonial resolutions and that the results be published on the Internet.

Supporters believe that important or even routine legislation passed by voice vote or other non-record vote deprives Texans of the right to know how their elected representatives voted on legislation.  One group of opponents claims the amendment does not go far enough because every vote not just the final vote should be recorded.  Others say that recording votes on uncontroversial bills is too time-consuming.

Proposition 12 would allow the Texas Transportation Commission to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $5 billion to provide for highway improvement projects.  The state would repay the bonds with payments made from the first money coming into the state treasury each year.

Because Section 49 Article III of the Texas Constitution prohibits state debt voters must amend the constitution to allow for the issuance of general obligation bonds.

Supporters say more transportation projects and the improvement of existing roads are necessary if Texas highways are to keep pace with a rapidly growing population.  The proposed amendment would help fill the void left by a reduction in available options for funding highway projects.

Opponents believe the state cannot afford to pay the interest on the bonds even with low rates.  They also believe that transportation projects should be funded through the state highway fund and not through bonds.

I was the Senate sponsor of House Joint Resolution 6 the enabling legislation for Proposition 13 which would authorize the denial of bail to a person who violates certain court orders or conditions of release in a felony family violence case. 

Supporters argue that domestic violence situations are both volatile and may escalate rapidly and that victims of domestic violence are in need of extra protection.

Opponents claim that a defendant’s constitutional right to bail should not be taken away.  In addition bail is a valuable tool in preventing jail overcrowding.

To be on the November ballot each of the 16 proposed amendments was adopted by at least a two-thirds vote of both the Texas Senate and the Texas House of Representatives.  Previous columns that discuss the amendments are on the Senate Web site: www.senate.state.tx.us.  Click on “Senators” then on “Wentworth” and scroll down to press releases.