State Representative Hochberg's Guide to the 2011 Texas Constitutional Amendments

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Dear Neighbor:

On Tuesday, November 8, 2011, voters will decide on ten amendments to the Texas Constitution. Unlike the U. S. Constitution, our Texas Constitution is a very long and detailed document. Voters are often called upon to make changes to the Texas Constitution and have approved more than 450 changes since its original adoption in 1876. These amendments will be on the ballot on the same day that we will elect our mayor, controller, city council members and school board members.
Proposed constitutional amendments go to the voters if they are first approved by two-thirds of the members of both the Texas House and the Texas Senate. The governor cannot veto a constitutional amendment. That right is left to the voters of the state.
Most of the propositions on this year’s ballot are relatively non-controversial, but that doesn’t mean they are not important. For example, Propositions 2 and 3 would authorize the issuance of additional state bonds for water development loans to local government agencies and for student loans. And, Proposition 9 would allow the governor to grant pardons to a category of accused persons who currently are denied that opportunity.

I've provided a page of information for each amendment, which you can read by clicking the corresponding link on the right side of this page. On each page, I've included a summary of what the amendment does, some arguments for and against its passage, and links to more detailed information as well as the exact wording of the changes to the Constitution that each amendment would make. I do not recommend how you should vote on these proposals, but rather provide information so you can make informed decisions.

If you have questions or need more information, you can read a much more detailed summary of all of the propositions from the House Research Organization (a nonpartisan office of the Texas House of Representatives) or you may contact me by e-mail.

Sincerely,

State Representative Scott Hochberg

Click below for details on
any proposition:

Proposition 1: The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran. PASSED 83% in favor.

Proposition 2: The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of additional general obligation bonds by the Texas Water Development Board in an amount not to exceed $6 billion at any time outstanding. PASSED 52% in favor.

Proposition 3: The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Texas to finance educational loans to students. PASSED 55% in favor.

Proposition 4: The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit a county to issue bonds or notes to finance the development or redevelopment of an unproductive, underdeveloped, or blighted area and to pledge for repayment of the bonds or notes increases in ad valorem taxes imposed by the county on property in the area. The amendment does not provide authority for increasing ad valorem tax rates. FAILED 60% opposed.

Proposition 5: The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to allow cities or counties to enter into interlocal contracts with other cities or counties without the imposition of a tax or the provision of a sinking fund. PASSED 58% in favor.

Proposition 6: The constitutional amendment clarifying references to the permanent school fund, allowing the General Land Office to distribute revenue from permanent school fund land or other properties to the available school fund to provide additional funding for public education, and providing for an increase in the market value of the permanent school fund for the purpose of allowing increased distributions from the available school fund. PASSED 52% in favor.

Proposition 7: The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit conservation and reclamation districts in El Paso County to issue bonds supported by ad valorem taxes to fund the development and maintenance of parks and recreational facilities. FAILED 52% opposed.

Proposition 8: The constitutional amendment providing for the appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes of open-space land devoted to water-stewardship purposes on the basis of its productive capacity. FAILED 53% opposed.

Proposition 9: The constitutional amendment authorizing the governor to grant a pardon to a person who successfully completes a term of deferred adjudication community supervision. PASSED 57% in favor.

Proposition 10: The constitutional amendment to change the length of the unexpired term that causes the automatic resignation of certain elected county or district officeholders if they become candidates for another office. PASSED 56% in favor.