2007 Texas Elections: AP Predicts All 16 Constitutional Amendments Will Pass

November 6, 2007 by Vince Leibowitz · Leave a Comment 

AP Predicts All 16 Constitutional Amendments Will Pass.

2007 Elections: Amendments On Track Toward Rubber Stamp?

November 6, 2007 by Vince Leibowitz · Leave a Comment 

It’s still early (only about 8 percent of all precincts statewide reporting), but all propositions seem to be flying toward approval.

Closest results are on Proposition 4, which is sitting at about 60/40.

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It’s Election Day!

November 6, 2007 by Vince Leibowitz · Leave a Comment 

Get out and vote. If you are still unsure about those 16 constitutional amendments on the ballot, we point you in the direction of this list of resources, compliments of the Texas Progressive Alliance.

If you can’t remember where your polling place is, check this site.

Texas Progressive Alliance Blog Round Up: Amendments, Elections, & Endorsements For The November 6 Ballot

October 30, 2007 by Vince Leibowitz · Leave a Comment 

[This round-up of election news and endorsement posts is brought to you by the Texas Progressive Alliance in anticipation of the November 6 general election. Some of the blogs and sites included in this round-up are not member sites of the Texas Progressive Alliance, but are included in the hopes of giving voters a wider picture of the many issues facing voters in local races around the state.]

On November 6, voters all across Texas will have the opportunity to go to the polls to vote on a variety of issues. First and foremost, voters across Texas will vote on 16 amendments to the Texas Constitution including Proposition 15, the much-touted amendment to fund cancer research in the state.

In addition, voters in some municipalities, most prominently Houston, will be casting votes for city officials including mayors and city council members. College districts, independent school districts, and special districts across the state will also hold elections for their members. A number of cities and school districts will also hold bond elections to fund everything from jail construction to parks and recreation and additional school facilities. Some school districts will also hold tax rate elections to authorize tax rates higher than those allowed by the tax reform plan passed by the Texas Legislature in special session back in 2006.

Texas bloggers have dedicated a considerable amount of coverage to election issues across the state, from the statewide constitutional amendment election to local issues. Much of this coverage is highlighted below.

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Amendment Endorsements: Reprise

October 29, 2007 by Vince Leibowitz · Leave a Comment 

Last week, Capitol Annex released its endorsements on the 16 Amendments on the November 6 ballot. However, much of that was eclipsed by the news that day that Mikal Watts was leaving the race for U.S. Senate. So, we’re going to summarize our endorsements below and refer you to our four endorsement posts.

A quick and dirty list of our endorsements is below. Refer to the linked posts above for the reasons behind our choices.

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2007 Constitutional Amendment Election Endorsements: Amendments 14 - 16

October 23, 2007 by Vince Leibowitz · Leave a Comment 

[This is the fourth and final installment of Capitol Annex's endorsements of various constitutional amendments on the November 6 ballot.]

Proposition 14

Ballot language:

The constitutional amendment permitting a justice or judge who reaches the mandatory retirement age while in office to serve the remainder of the justice’s or judge’s current term.

Capitol Annex Recommends: A “NO” Vote On Proposition 14

While this seems like a sane amendment, it is, in fact, a mechanism which would help keep one of the worst judges on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals serving for several more years.

Capitol Annex could support this proposition if it exempted judges presently within five years of their 75th birthday from its privileges.

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2007 Constitutional Amendment Election Endorsements: Amendments 10 - 13

October 23, 2007 by Vince Leibowitz · Leave a Comment 

[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.

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2007 Constitutional Amendment Election Endorsements: Amendments 5 - 9

October 23, 2007 by Vince Leibowitz · Leave a Comment 

[This is the second in a four-part series on constitutional amendments on the ballot on November 6]

Proposition 5

The ballot language:

The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit the voters of a municipality having a population of les than 10,000 to authorize the governing body of the municipality to enter into an agreement with an owner of real property in or adjacent to an area in the municipality that has been approved for funding under certain programs administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture under which the parties agree that all ad valorem taxes imposed on the owner’s property may not be increased for the first five tax years after the tax year in which the agreement is entered into.

Capitol Annex Recommends: A “No” Vote On Proposition 5.

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2007 Constitutional Amendment Election Endorsements: Amendments 1 - 4

October 23, 2007 by Vince Leibowitz · Leave a Comment 

[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.

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2007 Constitutional Amendment Election: Endorsments Due Tuesday

October 22, 2007 by Vince Leibowitz · Leave a Comment 

Capitol Annex will announce its endorsements with regard to the 16 constitutional amendments on the general election ballot this November on Tuesday morning. The 16 amendments will be divided into four posts to be published at 10 a.m., 12 noon, 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. Stay tuned!

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