I need a rundown of just what the heck we're voting for

[liveoaktx]

Reading the list in the local paper but what the heck? Is there a good place on the internet to read up on the constitutional amendments? (Like what is up with the Upshur & Smith County amendment?)

[Stevious]

1. Try the Chronicle online

http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/2005-10-21/pols_feature9.html

Their position is to vote no across the board, and H*ll NO! on Prop 2.

[amitten]

7. Yes, the Chronicle is a good guide.

I don't always agree with them 100%, but they always have an easy-to-understand list of how to vote (if you're left-leaning).

[Vincardog]

2. Try David Van Os's Web site

He discusses the Amendment
<http://www.vanosfortexasag.com/>

[crispini]

5. Van Os is recommending a vote of NO on all 9.

http://dvo4txag.blogspot.com/2005/10/constitutional-amendments-just-vote-no.html

[400Years]

3. here

http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/2005-10-28/pols_feature8.html
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

On Nov. 8, Texas citizens will once again be asked to go to the polls and write a constitution. The Chronicle strained again this year to find at least one among the nine offered propositions worth recommending to voters of sound mind and reasonable presumptions – but once again, had no luck. We only feel strongly about Proposition 2 – a disgrace to a free people and an abomination to fair men and women everywhere – but we urge you to vote NO on all nine propositions. – The Chronicle Editorial Board
Proposition 1: No.

Create the Texas Rail Relocation and Improvement Fund. This is yet another attempt by the state to underwrite the expenses of private industry – in this case, the relocation of major rail lines that are either getting crowded by urban growth or else figure in Gov. Perry's grandiose plans for the Trans-Texas Corridor. We say let the railroads pay their own way.
Proposition 2: No!

Prohibit gay marriage or civil unions. This is the most outrageous proposition on the ballot, the most direct assault on human rights and privacy rights, and the most blatant attempt to write bigotry into the Texas Constitution since the Civil War. We need every one of you to get out on election day and vote to prevent the state of Texas from joining this march in the modern History of Infamy.
Proposition 3: No.

Clarify that certain economic development programs do not constitute a debt." Prop. 3 has a local hook – Save Our Springs Alliance won a lawsuit against the Village of Bee Cave to stop the municipal underwriting of a shopping center to subsidize a private developer without even a mechanism established to do so. The Lege wants voters to ratify any and all such arrangements, yet the ballot language is so vague it should be rejected on those grounds alone.
Proposition 4: No.

Authorize denial of bail to a criminal defendant who violates a condition of release. This is a solution in search of a problem, and drafted in such vague language that even those who might support it should pause. There are other ways of dealing with this issue than by writing yet more specific legal exemptions into the state constitution, including a higher bail – not denying altogether such a basic protection against unjust imprisonment.
Proposition 5: No.

Allow the Legislature to define rates of interest for commercial loans. The Lege is worried that poor Texas bankers are not able to charge more than 10% interest (currently defined as usury) on commercial loans, as they can in 46 other states, and are selling the amendment as aimed only at "sophisticated commercial borrowers." This is a foot-in-the-door amendment to give the banks whatever they want and undermine the anti-usury limits altogether.
Proposition 6: No.

Add two additional members to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. The ballot language doesn't say that the amendment would also eliminate geographic representation on the commission, in theory allowing the greater packing of the commission. It probably doesn't matter whether the commission has 11 or 13 members, since judges virtually have to commit blatant public felonies to be subject to disciplinary action; we doubt seriously that adding a couple of commissioners will do much about that institutional problem.
Proposition 7: No.

Authorize line-of-credit advances under a reverse mortgage. Like Prop. 5, Prop. 7 is a gift to the bankers under the guise of helping creditors, in this case retired homeowners (over 62) whose only asset is their home. This amendment would create "lines of credit" to draw down smaller loan advances that often look reasonable but can quickly accumulate into heavy debt burdens – a circumstance ripe for abuse. Why make it easier to fleece small homeowners?
Proposition 8: No.

Relinquish any state claim to certain land in Upshur and Smith counties. Title to several thousand acres in the two counties was under dispute because of apparent vacancies in land surveys. The General Land Office has already relinquished claim to the bulk of the land, but another 950 acres remain in court. The constitution shouldn't be a handy bludgeon to settle complicated land disputes.
Proposition 9: No.

Six-year terms for RMA board members. The Lege allowed six-year terms for regional mobility authorities, but anti-toll warriors won a ruling that the constitution prohibits terms of more than two years. The only way for voters to voice their general opposition to tolls is to vote against this amendment and Prop. 1 (the railroad subsidy amendment).

For full ballot language and longer explanations of our endorsements, see the issue of Oct. 21.

[crispini]

6. So Van Os AND the Chron recommend NO on all nine, eh?

Good enough for me. I know how I'm voting.

[crispini]

4. Here are the recommendations from Lon Burnham's newsletter.

I trust him. I don't quite know why he voted against #1, though. It sounds good to me.

Proposition #1
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment creating the Texas rail relocation and improvement fund and authorizing grants of money and issuance of obligations for financing the relocation, rehabilitation, and expansion of rail facilities."

* The proposed amendment would create the Texas rail relocation and improvement fund. It would provide for the Texas Transportation Commission to issue and sell obligations to fund the relocation and improvement of privately and publicly owned passenger and freight rail facilities for the purposes of relieving congestion on public highways, enhancing public safety, improving air quality, and expanding economic opportunity.

Representative Burnam voted against this amendment on the House Floor.

Proposition #2
The proposition will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment providing that marriage in this state consists only of the union of one man and one woman and prohibiting this state or a political subdivision of this state from creating or recognizing any legal status identical or similar to marriage."

* Texas law currently prohibits same-sex marriage and prohibits the
recognition by the state or its political subdivisions of a same-sex
marriage, a civil union, or a right or claim asserted as a result of a same-sex marriage or a civil union. This amendment will duplicate this provision in the state constitution.

Representative Burnam voted against this amendment on the House
Floor.

Proposition #3
The proposition will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment clarifying that certain economic development programs do not constitute a debt."

* This amendment would reinforce the notion that municipalities can grant tax rebates and incentives for economic development projects.

Proposition #4
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: " The constitutional ame ndment authorizing the denial of bail to a criminal defendant who violates a condition of the defendant's release pending trial."

* Under current law, a person accused of a felony who is released on bail pending trial may violate the conditions of release and subsequently have bail reinstated. The proposed amendment would ensure that if the person violates a condition of release related to the safety of a victim or the community, the person may be denied bail.

* Proposition #5 The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to define rates of interest for commercial loans."

* Allows the legislature to exempt commercial loans from current constitutional maximum interest rate limits.

Proposition #6

The proposition will appear on the ballot "The constitutional amendment to additional public member and a constitutional
court judge in the membership Commission on Judicial Conduct."

*This amendment caption explains itself.

Proposition #7

The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment authorizing line-of-credit advances under a reverse mortga ge."

* Allows homeowners to receive payments for the existing home equity in the form of a reverse mortgage.

Proposition #8

The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment providing for the clearing of land titles by relinquishing and releasing any state claim to sovereign ownership or title to interest in certain lands in Upshur County and
Smith County."

* Releases any state claim of ownership for approximately 4,600 acres of specifically described land in Upshur County, , and nearly 1,000 acres of specifically described land in Smith County.

Proposition #9

The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for six-year staggered terms for a board member of a regional mobility authority."

*Increases the term from two years to six.

Representative Burnam voted against this amendment on the House Floor.

[NoPasaran]

8. Prop One is corporate welfare

Why should the taxpayers pay to move railroad tracks? Let the Union Pacific move its own damn tracks!

[Smarty Pants Liberal]

9. Scott Hochberg has a great page on his website

at http://scotthochberg.com/amends.html

And he's such a great guy he'll even write you back pronto if you e-mail him! I e-mailed him once when he was on the house floor and used one of my funky e-mail aliases with no distinguishing characteristics and he (or perhaps a staffer) wrote me back in less than 30 minutes!