2007 Constitutional Amendment Election Endorsements: Amendments 10 – 13
By Vince Leibowitz on Oct 23, 2007 in Constitutional Amendment Election ![[Post to Twitter]](/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/icons/tt-twitter.png){kind=icon}
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[This is the third in a four part series on constitutional amendments on the November 6 ballot]
Proposition 10
Ballot language:
The constitutional amendment to abolish the constitutional authority for the office of inspector of hides and animals.
Capitol Annex Recommends: A “YES” Vote On Proposition 10
This proposition merely allows some archaic language in our state constitution to be changed to abolish obsolete positions.
Proposition 11
Ballot Language:
The constitutional amendment to require that a record vote be taken by a house of the legislature on final passage of any bill, other than certain local bills, of a resolution proposing or ratifying a constitutional amendment, or of any other nonceremonial resolution, and to provide for public access on the Internet to those record votes.
Capitol Annex Recommends: A “YES” Vote On Proposition 11
This amendment will allow more transparency of the legislature’s actions and make votes more easily accessible, and is a long-overdue move.
Proposition 12
Ballot Language:
The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of general obligation bonds by the Texas Transportation Commission in an amount not to exceed $5 billion to provide funding for highway improvement projects.
Capitol Annex Recommends: Capitol Annex takes no position on Proposition 12
While more funding is necessary for transportation infrastructure, without laws addressing such things as the Trans Texas Corridor and private toll roads, not to mention the failure of TxDOT to be straightforward with the people of Texas regarding its expenditures and solvency, make this a move which voters should think about before voting.
Proposition 13
Ballot language:
The constitutional amendment authorizing the denial of bail to a person who violates certain court orders or conditions of release in a felony or family violence case.
Capitol Annex Recommends: A “NO” Vote on Proposition 13
Making a law allowing the denial of bail in the absence of an act of violence or a threat is poor public policy, plain and simple. It also amounts to punishment of defendants through confinement before a jury has had the opportunity to render a verdict in a case.
As the proposal is specific to family violence, voters should take note that it is further poor public policy and flies against decades of penal law in Texas, which has previously placed more emphasis on the seriousness of the alleged crime rather than the status of the victim.
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