2007 Constitutional Amendment Election Endorsements: Amendments 1 - 4

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[Ed. Note: This is the first in a series of four posts set for publication today announcing Capitol Annex's endorsements on each of the 16 ballot propositions before Texas voters on November 6. — VL]

Proposition 1

First, let’s take a look at the language on the ballot:

The constitutional amendment providing for the continuation of the constitutional appropriation for facilities and other capital items at Angelo State University on a change in the governance of the university.

Essentially, this is an amendment that allows certain constitutionally dedicated funds dedicated to Angelo State University to “follow” the university as it transfers from the Texas State University System to the Texas Tech University System.

Capitol Annex Recommends: A “Yes” Vote On Proposition 1.

Although we recommend a “yes” vote to ensure that funding to Angelo State is uninterrupted, we caution voters and Legislators that the continued move among state universities to ally themselves with one or more major university systems should be carefully examined. While formerly independent universities like Angelo State, Texas A&M University-Commerce, and other institutions benefit financially and politically from affiliations with major systems such as A&M, UT, UNT, and Texas Tech, we believe–in the long run–smaller schools in non-urban areas which were formerly independent institutions will suffer. As higher education funding continues to shrink and tuition continues to climb, the trend among major university systems will be to cut many degree programs from “satellite” campuses while preserving their flagship institutions. An interim study on the structure of the public higher education system in Texas is needed, and Capitol Annex urges legislators to take this step before 2009.

Proposition 2

First, the language you’ll see on the ballot:

The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of $500 million in general obligation bonds to finance educational loans to students and authorizing bond enhancement agreements with respect to general obligation bonds issued for that purpose.

Capitol Annex Recommends: A “Yes” Vote On Proposition 2.

This constitutional amendment provides additional funding for the Hinson-Hazelwood College Student Loan Program. General obligation bonds issued under the auspice of this program, including these bonds, do not necessarily represent “debt” incurred by Texas and its taxpayers, but rather debt to be paid back by students as loan repayments. The sale of such general obligation bonds allows Texas to generate student loan funds while obtaining those funds at the lowest possible cost by using the state’s credit rating and not drawing directly upon state funds.

We do, however, caution legislators and voters that this is no quick fix for the problem of making higher education affordable in Texas. We continue to strongly support tuition re-regulation at all public institutions of higher education and further advocate a program such as that proposed by former Texas Comptroller John Sharp in 2002, which would provide that many Texas students graduating college with a “B” average and better the opportunity to attend college at no cost. Finally, the state should seriously consider a state-level law to mandate a higher minimum wage for working Texans so that families can earn more and thus save more to send their children to college.

Proposition 3

First, the text as it will be on the ballot:

The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide that the maximum appraised value of a residence homestead for ad valorem taxation is limited to the lesser of the most recent market value of the residence homestead as determined by the appraisal entity or 110 percent, or a greater percentage, of the appraised value of the residence homestead for the preceding tax year.

Capitol Annex Recommends: A “No” Vote On Proposition 3.

Capitol Annex has long been skeptical of the concepts of “property tax reform” and “appraisal reform” under our present tax system.

This amendment in particular is unnecessary as appraisal districts in most counties seeing rapid growth already perform annual appraisals, and the amendment has no effect on increases in these districts. Designed to protect homeowners from 20 and 30 percent increases allowable under current law, the amendment would, again, have no effect on appraisal increases because such sizable increases are highly uncommon in districts which do not appraise property every year. The amendment, in reality, would also shift tax burden on other taxpayers, including homeowners whose values are not rising rapidly.

Amendment 4

The language is as follows:

The constitutional amendment authorizing the issuance of up to $1 billion in bonds payable from the general revenues of the state for maintenance, improvement, repair, and construction projects and for the purchase of needed equipment.

Capitol Annex Recommends: Capitol Annex Takes No Position On Proposition 4.

Many of the causes for which Proposition 4 will but the state into debt for are, indeed, worthy causes: courthouse renovation, mental health facility renovation, and other general infrastructure. However, this proposition would also result in increased funding for prison spending. This, we believe, is not a worthy use of taxpayer dollars. Not only are Texas’ existing prisons poorly managed, but, before building more prison beds to be filled by “hanging judges,” serious reform of the probation and parole systems in this state must be undertaken. Further, as many prison beds are filled with non-violent drug offenders, the state should take more steps to fund rehabilitative care as opposed to simple incarceration for narcotics offenders.

Written by Vince Leibowitz

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Vince Leibowitz posted this article under Constitutional Amendment Election, Texas Elections on Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007 at 10:00 am You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a comment. Pinging is currently not allowed. View Technorati Linkbacks.