| From | Michael Quinn Sullivan <[email protected]> |
| Subject | Texas Minute: Texas Amendments (10/21/2019) |
| Date | October 21, 2019 10:05 AM |
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Amending the Texas Constitution...
Good morning,
Early voting starts TODAY statewide for the proposed constitutional amendments. In many localities, there will be other items – like debt issuances and tax rate adoptions. At the request of a lot of our subscribers, today's Texas Minute includes the propositions and the position taken on them by Texans for Fiscal Responsibility [[link removed]].
But first, a couple of thoughts on the Texas House Republican Caucus’ statement regarding House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and the mess he created [[link removed]].
– Michael Quinn Sullivan
Monday, October 21, 2019
Modify your email preferences [[link removed]].
The GOP caucus met in person Friday to discuss the unethical conduct and duplicity of House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and former Caucus Chairman Dustin Burrows.
The caucus ignored loud calls from activists and respected organizations like Texas Right to Life that were demanding Bonnen’s resignation. Likewise, half of the Republican Party of Texas’ Executive Committee members [[link removed]] have signed a letter calling for Bonnen’s resignation.
Instead, the GOP caucus issued a muted statement merely condemning “the offensive language” used by Bonnen and Burrows, and the attitude they had for local officials. The statement also expressed solidarity with the incumbent lawmakers the two men targeted. Left unmentioned was the highly unethical quid pro quo arrangement Bonnen offered, or even the fact both men clearly violated the letter and spirit of the caucus’ own rules.
Following the caucus statement, a few Republican lawmakers issued stronger condemnations of Bonnen and even joined the grassroots in demanding his resignation [[link removed]]. Most of the individual Republican House members have chosen to remain silent.
Voters must decide if Republicans have adequately begun cleaning up Bonnen’s ethical mess, or if they are simply trying to sweep corruption under the rug like Democrats have tended to do.
Yesterday was the birthday of Nicolle, my amazing and beautiful wife; it is really hard to buy a gift for someone who is themselves a gift to everyone she meets. The kids and I, most especially, are blessed to have her in our lives. It is my highest honor to grow older together with her!
Texas Constitutional Propositions
Early Voting: October 21 through November 1
Election Day: November 5
Download a printable version to take to the ballot box [[link removed]].
PROPOSITION 1: Neutral
How it reads: “The constitutional amendment permitting a person to hold more than one office as a municipal judge at the same time.”
What it means: In Texas, a person can serve in more than one municipal judge position, assuming the person was appointed to each of those positions. However, if an individual is elected as a municipal judge they are prohibited from being elected or appointed as a judge. Proposition 1 would allow an individual to hold more than one office as an elected or appointed municipal judge for multiple municipalities at the same time.
Texans for Fiscal Responsibility Stance: Neutral on Proposition 1
Supporters Say: Texas already permits individuals to be appointed to multiple municipal judicial offices, and the constitutional amendment only adjusts the law to treat appointed and elected judges equally.
Opponents Say: Texas should not have allowed judges to serve in more than one office in the first place and the state would be better off not to double-down on the practice.
PROPOSITION 2: Oppose
How it reads: “The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of additional general obligation bonds by the Texas Water Development Board in an amount not to exceed $200 million to provide financial assistance for the development of certain projects in economically distressed areas.”
What it means: The Texas Water Development Board will be allowed to issue bonds, and therefore go into debt, in order to continue financing water supply, sewer service, and drainage projects in economically distressed areas.
TFR Stance: Oppose Proposition 2
Our Reasoning: State-subsidized debt serves as a disincentive to properly prioritizing spending and distorts market forces.
PROPOSITION 3: Support
How it reads: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion of the appraised value of certain property damaged by a disaster.”
What it means: Currently, local governments in Texas have the ability to reappraise properties damaged in disasters, but not to exempt the owners from all or part of their total tax burden.
TFR Stance: Support Proposition 3
Our Reasoning: Local governments should be given more tools with which to provide tax relief for property owners. Proposition 3 is a commonsense reform that should result in taxpayer savings.
PROPOSITION 4: Support
How it reads: “The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of an individual income tax including a tax on an individual’s share of partnership and unincorporated association income.”
What it means: The Texas Constitution already requires the Legislature by simple majority vote to seek voter approval to impose an income tax. This amendment would mean that a future legislature would have to vote by a super-majority and obtain voter approval to amend the constitution in order to impose an income tax.
TFR Stance: Support Proposition 4
Our Reasoning: TFR supports any proposal that prevents the government from imposing an income tax or otherwise increasing taxes on Texans. Proposition 4 makes it harder for a future legislature to impose an economically destructive income tax on our state.
PROPOSITION 5: Support
How it reads: “The constitutional amendment dedicating the revenue received from the existing state and use taxes that are imposed on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission to protect Texas’ natural areas, water, quality, and history by acquiring, managing, and improving state and local parks and historical sites while not increasing the rate of the sales and use taxes.”
What it means: Sales taxes on sporting goods will be dedicated to wildlife and nature preservation.
TFR Stance: Support Proposition 5
Our Reasoning: While taxes on sporting goods in Texas have always been intended to finance state parks, lawmakers inside the Capitol frequently pilfered the revenues for other projects. The passage of Proposition 5 will prevent that diversion and ensure that revenues raised are spent on their intended purpose.
PROPOSITION 6: Oppose
How it reads: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase by $3 billion the maximum bond amount authorized for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.”
What it means: CPRIT will be authorized to spend additional taxpayer dollars.
TFR Stance: Oppose Proposition 6
Our Reasoning: While well-intentioned, CPRIT has not been a good steward of taxpayer dollars and cancer research is not a core function of government.
PROPOSITION 7: Support
How it reads: “The constitutional amendment allowing increased distributions to the available school fund.”
What it means: The General Land Office or State Board of Education will have the ability to distribute up to $600 million of the school fund, up from $300 million currently.
TFR Stance: Support Proposition 7
Our Reasoning: Securing additional revenue from the state’s oil and gas reserves was one of the alternatives adopted in lieu of an increased sales tax.
PROPOSITION 8: Oppose
How it reads: “The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the flood infrastructure fund to assist in the financing of drainage, flood mitigation, and flood control projects.”
What it means: This amendment creates a permanent fund to help with flood mitigation infrastructure.
TFR Stance: Oppose Proposition 8
Our Reasoning: State-subsidized debt serves as a disincentive to properly prioritizing spending and distorts market forces.
PROPOSITION 9: Support
How it reads: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation precious metal held in a precious metal depository located in this state.”
What it means: Precious metals stored in the state depository would not be subject to being taxed as income-producing business assets.
TFR Stance: Support Proposition 9
Our Reasoning: We oppose any form of ad valorem taxes.
PROPOSITION 10: Support
How it reads: “The constitutional amendment to allow the transfer of a law enforcement animal to a qualified caretaker in certain circumstances.”
What it means: If it is in the best interest of the animal, the law enforcement animals will be allowed to be transferred to its caretaker upon retirement.
TFR Stance: Support Proposition 10
Our Reasoning: Currently illegal due to prohibitions on “special benefits” and “gifts,” Proposition 10 is a commonsense change to the constitution that should save taxpayer money while treating service animals and their handlers with respect.
Number of the Day
7
In many places, early voting locations will open at 7 a.m., but check with your County Clerk or election office for specific times and locations.
Your Lawmakers
U.S. Senator
John Cornyn - R
(202) 224-2934
U.S. Senator
Ted Cruz - R
(202) 224-5922
Governor of Texas
Greg Abbott - R
(512) 463-2000
Lt. Governor
Dan Patrick - R
(512) 463-0001
U.S. House, District
Update your address so we can show your congressman [[link removed]] -
Texas Senate, District
Update your address so we can show your state senator [[link removed]] -
Texas House, District
Update your address so we can display your state rep [[link removed]] -
Something not right?
Let us know [mailto:[email protected]]!
Request A Speaker [[link removed]] Contribute [[link removed]] Update Your Email Preferences [[link removed]] Michael Quinn Sullivan
CEO, Empower Texans
Texas Scorecard & Texans for Fiscal Responsibility
www.EmpowerTexans.com
www.TexasScorecard.com
(888) 410-1836
PO Box 49730 | Austin, TX 78765
PO Box 700981 | Dallas, TX 75370
PO Box 36875 | Houston, TX 77236 The Texas Minute is a quick look at the news and info of the day that we find interesting, and hope you do as well. It is produced on week days and distributed at 6 a.m. (though I'll probably take the occasional break for holidays and whatnot).
This message was sent to: [email protected].
Before you click the link below... If someone forwarded this email to you, and you click the link, they will lose their subscription! Like [link removed] Tweet [link removed] Forward [link removed] Unsubscribe [link removed]
Good morning,
Early voting starts TODAY statewide for the proposed constitutional amendments. In many localities, there will be other items – like debt issuances and tax rate adoptions. At the request of a lot of our subscribers, today's Texas Minute includes the propositions and the position taken on them by Texans for Fiscal Responsibility [[link removed]].
But first, a couple of thoughts on the Texas House Republican Caucus’ statement regarding House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and the mess he created [[link removed]].
– Michael Quinn Sullivan
Monday, October 21, 2019
Modify your email preferences [[link removed]].
The GOP caucus met in person Friday to discuss the unethical conduct and duplicity of House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and former Caucus Chairman Dustin Burrows.
The caucus ignored loud calls from activists and respected organizations like Texas Right to Life that were demanding Bonnen’s resignation. Likewise, half of the Republican Party of Texas’ Executive Committee members [[link removed]] have signed a letter calling for Bonnen’s resignation.
Instead, the GOP caucus issued a muted statement merely condemning “the offensive language” used by Bonnen and Burrows, and the attitude they had for local officials. The statement also expressed solidarity with the incumbent lawmakers the two men targeted. Left unmentioned was the highly unethical quid pro quo arrangement Bonnen offered, or even the fact both men clearly violated the letter and spirit of the caucus’ own rules.
Following the caucus statement, a few Republican lawmakers issued stronger condemnations of Bonnen and even joined the grassroots in demanding his resignation [[link removed]]. Most of the individual Republican House members have chosen to remain silent.
Voters must decide if Republicans have adequately begun cleaning up Bonnen’s ethical mess, or if they are simply trying to sweep corruption under the rug like Democrats have tended to do.
Yesterday was the birthday of Nicolle, my amazing and beautiful wife; it is really hard to buy a gift for someone who is themselves a gift to everyone she meets. The kids and I, most especially, are blessed to have her in our lives. It is my highest honor to grow older together with her!
Texas Constitutional Propositions
Early Voting: October 21 through November 1
Election Day: November 5
Download a printable version to take to the ballot box [[link removed]].
PROPOSITION 1: Neutral
How it reads: “The constitutional amendment permitting a person to hold more than one office as a municipal judge at the same time.”
What it means: In Texas, a person can serve in more than one municipal judge position, assuming the person was appointed to each of those positions. However, if an individual is elected as a municipal judge they are prohibited from being elected or appointed as a judge. Proposition 1 would allow an individual to hold more than one office as an elected or appointed municipal judge for multiple municipalities at the same time.
Texans for Fiscal Responsibility Stance: Neutral on Proposition 1
Supporters Say: Texas already permits individuals to be appointed to multiple municipal judicial offices, and the constitutional amendment only adjusts the law to treat appointed and elected judges equally.
Opponents Say: Texas should not have allowed judges to serve in more than one office in the first place and the state would be better off not to double-down on the practice.
PROPOSITION 2: Oppose
How it reads: “The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of additional general obligation bonds by the Texas Water Development Board in an amount not to exceed $200 million to provide financial assistance for the development of certain projects in economically distressed areas.”
What it means: The Texas Water Development Board will be allowed to issue bonds, and therefore go into debt, in order to continue financing water supply, sewer service, and drainage projects in economically distressed areas.
TFR Stance: Oppose Proposition 2
Our Reasoning: State-subsidized debt serves as a disincentive to properly prioritizing spending and distorts market forces.
PROPOSITION 3: Support
How it reads: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion of the appraised value of certain property damaged by a disaster.”
What it means: Currently, local governments in Texas have the ability to reappraise properties damaged in disasters, but not to exempt the owners from all or part of their total tax burden.
TFR Stance: Support Proposition 3
Our Reasoning: Local governments should be given more tools with which to provide tax relief for property owners. Proposition 3 is a commonsense reform that should result in taxpayer savings.
PROPOSITION 4: Support
How it reads: “The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of an individual income tax including a tax on an individual’s share of partnership and unincorporated association income.”
What it means: The Texas Constitution already requires the Legislature by simple majority vote to seek voter approval to impose an income tax. This amendment would mean that a future legislature would have to vote by a super-majority and obtain voter approval to amend the constitution in order to impose an income tax.
TFR Stance: Support Proposition 4
Our Reasoning: TFR supports any proposal that prevents the government from imposing an income tax or otherwise increasing taxes on Texans. Proposition 4 makes it harder for a future legislature to impose an economically destructive income tax on our state.
PROPOSITION 5: Support
How it reads: “The constitutional amendment dedicating the revenue received from the existing state and use taxes that are imposed on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission to protect Texas’ natural areas, water, quality, and history by acquiring, managing, and improving state and local parks and historical sites while not increasing the rate of the sales and use taxes.”
What it means: Sales taxes on sporting goods will be dedicated to wildlife and nature preservation.
TFR Stance: Support Proposition 5
Our Reasoning: While taxes on sporting goods in Texas have always been intended to finance state parks, lawmakers inside the Capitol frequently pilfered the revenues for other projects. The passage of Proposition 5 will prevent that diversion and ensure that revenues raised are spent on their intended purpose.
PROPOSITION 6: Oppose
How it reads: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase by $3 billion the maximum bond amount authorized for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.”
What it means: CPRIT will be authorized to spend additional taxpayer dollars.
TFR Stance: Oppose Proposition 6
Our Reasoning: While well-intentioned, CPRIT has not been a good steward of taxpayer dollars and cancer research is not a core function of government.
PROPOSITION 7: Support
How it reads: “The constitutional amendment allowing increased distributions to the available school fund.”
What it means: The General Land Office or State Board of Education will have the ability to distribute up to $600 million of the school fund, up from $300 million currently.
TFR Stance: Support Proposition 7
Our Reasoning: Securing additional revenue from the state’s oil and gas reserves was one of the alternatives adopted in lieu of an increased sales tax.
PROPOSITION 8: Oppose
How it reads: “The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the flood infrastructure fund to assist in the financing of drainage, flood mitigation, and flood control projects.”
What it means: This amendment creates a permanent fund to help with flood mitigation infrastructure.
TFR Stance: Oppose Proposition 8
Our Reasoning: State-subsidized debt serves as a disincentive to properly prioritizing spending and distorts market forces.
PROPOSITION 9: Support
How it reads: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation precious metal held in a precious metal depository located in this state.”
What it means: Precious metals stored in the state depository would not be subject to being taxed as income-producing business assets.
TFR Stance: Support Proposition 9
Our Reasoning: We oppose any form of ad valorem taxes.
PROPOSITION 10: Support
How it reads: “The constitutional amendment to allow the transfer of a law enforcement animal to a qualified caretaker in certain circumstances.”
What it means: If it is in the best interest of the animal, the law enforcement animals will be allowed to be transferred to its caretaker upon retirement.
TFR Stance: Support Proposition 10
Our Reasoning: Currently illegal due to prohibitions on “special benefits” and “gifts,” Proposition 10 is a commonsense change to the constitution that should save taxpayer money while treating service animals and their handlers with respect.
Number of the Day
7
In many places, early voting locations will open at 7 a.m., but check with your County Clerk or election office for specific times and locations.
Your Lawmakers
U.S. Senator
John Cornyn - R
(202) 224-2934
U.S. Senator
Ted Cruz - R
(202) 224-5922
Governor of Texas
Greg Abbott - R
(512) 463-2000
Lt. Governor
Dan Patrick - R
(512) 463-0001
U.S. House, District
Update your address so we can show your congressman [[link removed]] -
Texas Senate, District
Update your address so we can show your state senator [[link removed]] -
Texas House, District
Update your address so we can display your state rep [[link removed]] -
Something not right?
Let us know [mailto:[email protected]]!
Request A Speaker [[link removed]] Contribute [[link removed]] Update Your Email Preferences [[link removed]] Michael Quinn Sullivan
CEO, Empower Texans
Texas Scorecard & Texans for Fiscal Responsibility
www.EmpowerTexans.com
www.TexasScorecard.com
(888) 410-1836
PO Box 49730 | Austin, TX 78765
PO Box 700981 | Dallas, TX 75370
PO Box 36875 | Houston, TX 77236 The Texas Minute is a quick look at the news and info of the day that we find interesting, and hope you do as well. It is produced on week days and distributed at 6 a.m. (though I'll probably take the occasional break for holidays and whatnot).
This message was sent to: [email protected].
Before you click the link below... If someone forwarded this email to you, and you click the link, they will lose their subscription! Like [link removed] Tweet [link removed] Forward [link removed] Unsubscribe [link removed]
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