Can I interest you in a proposition?

Texas has one of the longest state constitutions in the country. One might expect that in a state so large and rambling where all is supposedly “bigger” or so goes the old saw. The current constitution is rooted in ending Reconstruction in the state and thus requires each time a child is born in Texas the document must be altered in order to allow that newborn citizenship. Weird huh? Well, that is certainly an exaggeration but the constitution has been amended by voters almost 460 times. A fresh new batch of 11 amendments await voters’ passage during the Nov. 3 general election. Early voting is already under way for those propositions.

A guide giving a varied view of the proposed amendments has been furnished by the ever-informative liberal blog, the Burnt Orange Report. One may take a look-see for all 11 props. But here are a few I wish to cuss (actually, no) and discuss:

Props–Props or No Props?

  • Proposition 4 — Establishing a National Research University Fund

WHAT: This would help provide funding for new potential “Tier 1” universities in Texas in addition to the present two, University of Texas and Texas A & M University. VERDICT: Undecided. I still need to answer a few questions before supporting this. I would like to see more top research universities in Texas but I also want some of the smaller state schools such as the one from which I graduated to remain viable.

  • Proposition 8 — Allowing the State to Contribute Resources to Veterans Hospitals

WHAT: This would put into the constitution the authority for the state and local partners to join the VA in establishing new veterans hospitals. VERDICT: For. I am cynical about the motivation for this becoming an amendment since I have seen at ground level how invested local communities as well as state and national politicians are in attaining and keeping VA medical facilities. VA hospitals, even outpatient clinics are a welcome item for any city and not just for the veterans who need and use them. Like other government facilities they furnish jobs and income to the places in which they are built. That is not a bad thing. But these medical centers should be number one about the veteran in action and not just in words (a.k.a. dollars and cents). Nonetheless, there are largely-populated areas of Texas such as in the Rio Grande Valley and Corpus Christi which are in need of VA inpatient facilities. This is why I support the prop.

  • Proposition 9 — Establishing the Right to Use and to Access Public Beaches

WHAT: This proposed amendment would allow an unrestricted right for accessing public beaches in Texas. This would also let the state to protect beaches and its easements from encroachment even if storms or erosion causes the beach to shift under houses or businesses. VERDICT: For. The beaches and their approaches belong to the public and should remain that way.

  • Proposition 11 — Restricting the Use of Eminent Domain for Taking Property for Public Projects

WHAT: This proposition, if approved, would by constitutional edict prohibit private property to be taken by eminent domain laws for economic development means or enhancing tax revenues. VERDICT: For. There are loopholes in this prop which I hope will eventually be addressed but I think it is a good start. A two-thirds vote by the Legislature would be required for granting the power of eminent domain. This amendment won’t stop eminent domain abuse, such as was seen in building George W. Bush’s Texas Rangers Ball Park at Arlington or Jerry Jones’ Cowboys Stadium in the same city. Those monuments to commerce had a lot of public support, of course. But perhaps Prop 11 can somewhat curtail the abuse.