Texas to Vote on Constitutional Amendments

Texas will go to the polls on November 6, 2007 to vote on sixteen proposed amendments to the state constitution. While there aren't any exciting candidate face-offs to lure you to the polls this fall, the following amendments deal with issues that all Texans face...so remember to get out and vote!

From a newsletter from my state representative, Lois Kolkhorst:

Amendment No. 1: This amendment would allow for the continuation of appropriations at Angelo State University during a transfer in governance of the university from the Texas State University System to the Texas Tech University System.

Amendment No. 2: This amendment would provide for an additional $500 million in general obligation bonds to be given to the student loan program.

Amendment No. 3: This amendment would limit the appraised value of a home to increase by more than ten percent from year to year.

Amendment No. 4: This amendment would appropriate up to $1 billion in bonds payable from the revenues of the state to be used for maintenance, repair, and construction projects and for equipment for the state's infrastructure.

Amendment No. 5: This amendment would apply to municipalities of 10,000 people or less. This amendment would allow these municipalities to permit their governing bodies to authorize temporary limitations on tax increases to owners of property in their area that receive funding from the Texas Department of Agriculture.

Amendment No. 6: This amendment will allow the exemption of one motor vehicle owned and used by an individual for their business and personal transportation from ad valorem taxation.

Amendment No. 7: This amendment would authorize government entities to sell property attained through eminent domain back to the owners at the same price the entities purchased it at.

Amendment No. 8: This amendment would clarify provisions concerning the making of home equity loans and the use of the proceeds from these loans.

Amendment No. 9: This amendment would allow the legislature to exempt all or part of the homes of totally disabled veterans from ad valorem taxation.