Early voting begins for 14 propositions

Early voting began this week for the Nov. 7 election, in which Olney and Newcastle voters will be asked to decide on 14 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution, and on a $33 million bond issue for a new hospital building to replace the 60-year-old Olney Hamilton Hospital building.

The following is a voter guide of the propositions and what a “yes” vote means: Prop. 1: “The constitutional amendment protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management.” A Yes vote supports constitutionally protecting landowners’ rights for normal practices, while not affecting the authority of an agency to act when there is a public health issue or imminent danger, the ability to preserve and conserve our natural resources, or acquire land for public use, and prohibits excessive oversight from the cities growing up around them.

Prop. 2: “The constitutional amendment authorizing a local option exemption from ad valorem taxation by a county or municipality of all or part of the appraised value of real property used to operate a child-care facility.”

A Yes vote allows a county or city to give an exemption for property used by licensed childcare facilities to help lower childcare costs.

Prop 3: “The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of an individual wealth or net worth tax, including a tax on the difference between the assets & liabilities of an individual” A Yes vote supports prohibiting the state from taxing the wealth and assets of an individual or family.

Prop. 4: “The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to establish a temporary limit on the maximum appraised value of real property other than a residence homestead for ad valorem tax purposes; to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district applicable to residence homesteads from $40,000 to $100,000; to adjust the amount of the limitation on school district ad valorem taxes imposed on the residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled to reflect increases in certain exemption amounts; to except certain appropriations to pay for ad valorem tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations; & to authorize the legislature to provide for a four-year term of office for a member of the board of directors of certain appraisal districts.”

A Yes vote supports the new tax plan, and will also cap appraisal values at 20 percent.

Proposition 5: “The constitutional amendment relating to the Texas University Fund, which provides funding to certain institutions of higher education to achieve national prominence as major research universities and drive the state economy.”

A Yes vote supports the creation of a $3.9 billion endowment to fund faculty, research and graduate studies at Texas Tech University, Texas State University, University of North Texas and the University of Houston.

Proposition 6: “The constitutional amendment creating the Texas water fund to assist in financing water projects in this state.”

A Yes vote supports creating a special account to help finance water projects across the state.

Proposition 7: “The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the Texas energy fund to support the construction, maintenance, modernization, and operation of electric generating facilities.”

A Yes vote supports creating a special fund for natural gas projects geared toward improving electric generating facilities across the state. Wind and solar projects would not be eligible to receive money from the energy fund.

Proposition 8: “The constitutional amendment creating the broadband infrastructure fund to expand high-speed broadband access and assist in the financing of connectivity projects.”

A Yes vote supports the creation of a $1.5 billion special fund in the state treasury that could be used to expand broadband internet access in economically distressed communities. The fund would expire on Sept. 1, 2035 unless extended by the Legislature.

Proposition 9: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the 88th Legislature to provide a cost-of-living adjustment to certain annuitants of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.”

A Yes vote provides $3.45 billion in bonus checks and cost-of-living raises for retired public school teachers across the state. If approved, it would be the first increase for retired teachers since 2004.

Proposition 10: “The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation equipment or inventory held by a manufacturer of medical or biomedical products to protect the Texas healthcare network and strengthen our medical supply chain.”

A Yes vote provides a tax break to biomedical companies by exempting the value of medical supplies manufactured there from property taxes.

Proposition 11: “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.”

A Yes vote supports El Paso County’s ability to issue bonds to fund parks and recreation facilities.

Proposition 12: “The constitutional amendment providing for the abolition of the office of county treasurer in Galveston County.”

A Yes vote abolishes the office of County Treasurer in Galveston County, allowing the Galveston County Commissioners Court to designate another person or office to carry out the treasurer’s duties.

Proposition 13: “The constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory age of retirement- for state justices and judges.”

A Yes vote raises the mandatory retirement age for justices and judges of appellate, district and criminal district courts to 79 from 75. The minimum retirement age also would increase to 75 from 70.

Proposition 14: “The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the centennial parks conservation fund to be used for the creation and improvement of state parks.”

A Yes vote establishes the centennial parks conservation fund with an allocation of $1 billion. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department would be able to use money from the fund to create new state parks and improve existing ones.