Statewide Amendments - Beware of False Profits!
“Beware of false prophets. They come to you disguised as sheep, but in their hearts they are vicious wolves.” Matthew 7:15
That pretty much sums up how we feel about the bulk of the statewide propositions put on the ballot by our legislature.
We have lost trust in our state government led by a Governor we would have recalled if Texans had the right to statewide recall.
Independents got together last weekend to discuss the amendments. Below are the results of that discussion, including links to pieces written by friends in the anti-toll movement.
For a full list with pro and con arguments, read the League of Women Voters handbook on the propositions here.
PROPOSITIONS 1 & 2:
We do not have recommendations on these two amendments.
PROPOSITION 3: on Appraisals
We were split on this amendment, however, it appears to be a small step forward.
Despite the fact that 10% appears to be scary, all of our calculations indicate that although the appraised value will be more at the end of a time, the amount of tax the taxpayer pays will be less. A real estate agent and a financial accountant, amongst us, agreed we should vote for this one.
PROPOSITION 4: on $1 billion for facilities
Unanimously NO.
This is a “Christmas Tree” ornament bill. You can’t really tell where all the money is going, nor what for. Besides that, part of these funds are for new high security prisons “if needed”. According to Arlan Foster, President of AFSCME Council 7 — the 4,000 member union for correctional officers — they cannot safely manage the prisons we currently have. Over-crowding is a problem brought on by poor decisions by the legislature, to warehouse people with alcohol and substance abuse problems, who learn in prison how to become real criminals. The proliferation of prisons, and the move to “privatize” them is yet another scam of this administration. Just say NO!
PROPOSITION 5
Most of us said NO, simply because removing downtown properties in rural areas from the tax base (whether it’s for the purpose of revitalization or something else), places too much burden on the fewer taxpayers in rural areas. Tax abatements to big corporations. have run amok. Give us little guys a break!
PROPOSITION 6
Most of us said YES. This would make tax reporting a bit simpler (something we should encourage), and benefit realtors, farmers and small business owners who use vehicles for business purposes.
PROPOSITION 7
Most of us said NO. This proposition on eminent domain appears to help those who may have their land seized, but the proposition is so ambiguous we cannot really say what it will or won’t do to help landowners. Given that we cannot trust what the state will do with potential land seizures for the Corridor and tollways, we could only conclude this proposition should be defeated. Land values are often a smaller part of the cost concerns for the little guys — it’s the cost of relocation that will harm us — and the disruption in our way of life, we’re concerned about the most.
PROPOSITION 8
2/3rds of us said NO. This probably contains some decent clean up provisions, but has some backward thinking. Such as a provision that prohibits borrowers from rolling unsecured debt into a secured home equity loan. This “protection” of the poor, actually limits one of their best options — to reduce their interest rate paid (say 18%) to say 8% at a secured loan!
PROPOSITION 9
Near Unanimous said YES. To assist totally disabled veterans in keeping their homes.
PROPOSITION 10
Unanimous YES. This is just a clean up amendment to remove reference to the inspector of hides and animals, which no longer exists!
PROPOSITION 11
Unanimous YES. Requiring the legislature to record their votes (and to put them online!) on legislation is about as basic a political reform as we can imagine. Unfortunately, it doesn’t cover all votes, like votes in committees, second readings and amendments. But it’s a good start.
PROPOSITION 12
Unanimous NO. Do you really want to give TxDOT more money, while under the current cloud of corruption? Hell no. Also, read what Sal Costello wrote about this one.
PROPOSITION 13
Near Unanimous NO. Although we sympathize with victims of domestic violence, we stand behind the constitutional right to bail.
PROPOSITION 14
Near unanimous YES. Allowing a judge to finish his or her term if they reach retirement age during their term, serves the taxpayers well.
PROPOSITION 15
Near unanimous NO. Haven’t we all had close friends or family members die from cancer? And we all admire Lance Armstrong. But this is a huge amount of money — $3 billion! Money for research of any disease has not historically been the function of state government, and we don’t think it should be. Also, would this money be better spent on prevention?
PROPOSITION 16
We do not have a position on this at this time and invite our members & friends to send in comments about this proposition.
October 22nd, 2007 at 5:01 pm
Great review on the TX Props. For Prop 15, of the $3 billion in bonds, only $300 million can issue each year, and to be given to any institution, said institution must match the funds 50/50. If an institution receiving funds finds a cure or any discovery which would yield royalties, some of the royalties must go back to the state to help retire the debt. Overall, it is a lot of money, but it puts Texas in a prime position on this disease and in this field. Being in the medical field, I would have to go for this one, and I hope this info will get out to the other members. It looks to me as though Prop 1 and 2 are quirky amendments necessary to finalize already uncontested changes, similar to Prop. 10.
Thanks and Keep up the Fight!
November 1st, 2007 at 7:49 am
I agree with the pics and would suggest that 1,2 & 16 be voted down. If you can decide its best to vote them down. My father used to justify this approach; “if they are any good they will bring it back”.