Props. 15: What they do; what we recommend

Early voting for 10 proposed constitutional amendments begins Monday, and voters across Texas will weigh in on a range of issues, including funding for water bonds, cancer research and whether to ban a state income tax.

In this editorial, we take a closer look at Propositions 1 through 5 and offer our recommendations. Saturday, we will examine Propositions 610, and then we will run a complete list of recommendations in Sunday’s paper and at expressnews.com.

Whether or not you agree with our recommendations, please vote.

would permit a person to be elected as municipal judge in more than one jurisdiction.

We recommend voters cast a ballot Proposition 1.

This measure sets a bad precedent. Elected public officials should hold only one office at a time; the Texas Election Code explicitly prohibits a candidate from appearing on a ballot more than once; and the law should remain as written. Proponents argue that some smaller jurisdictions might have difficulty recruiting municipal judges and allowing the judges to hold similar jobs in multiple communities might help.

But this could be handled at the local level. Not all municipal judges are elected. Some, like those in San Antonio, are appointed. A charter amendment making these appointed offices would be more appropriate than amending the state constitution.

Proposition 1 Proposition 2 Proposition 3 Proposition 4 Proposition 5 Coming Saturday: AGAINST

allows the Texas Water Development Board to issue up to $200 million in general obligation bonds for the Economically Distressed Areas Program.

We recommend voters cast a ballot sition 2.

Thousands of Texas residents lack access to clean drinking water or sewer systems in their homes. Passage of this proposition will continue a program that provides financial assistance to plan, design and construct water and wastewater services in communities where such services do not exist or fail to meet state standards. Since this program was established in 1989, it has benefited 400,000 people in 45 counties. But there is still work to do in many communities.

would allow the Legislature to provide temporary property tax exemptions in a governordeclared disaster area.

We recommend voters cast a ballot sition 3.

Taxing units already may authorize the reappraisal of property damaged in a disaster, but many opt not to do so. The temporary property tax exemptions allowed under this constitutional amendment would provide taxpayers with more immediate relief than reappraisals, and the measure would leave the decision up to lawmakers, who are more accountable to residents than taxing units.

FOR FOR FOR

PropoPropo

would prohibit the Legislature from establishing a personal state income tax. We recommend voters cast a ballot Proposition 4.

Texas’ reputation as a businessfriendly, lowtax state is wellestablished in part because it does not impose an individual income tax. Before one could ever become law, the Texas Constitution requires voters approve it in a referendum. That’s a high bar. This measure would accomplish little beyond needlessly eliminating the freedom of future Texans to set their own course.

would designate sales tax revenue collected on sporting goods go to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission.

We recommend voters cast a ballot sition 5.

This is not a new tax. The measure ensures revenue that is already being collected is used for state and local parks and historic sites. Current law allows the Legislature to divert some of the sporting good tax revenue for other purposes. Passage of this proposition would require a twothirds vote in the Texas House and Senate to redirect these funds.

State parks and historic sites attract millions of visitors each year and have a significant economic impact. A designated revenue stream will allow longterm planning for capital improvements and help address the more than $800 million in deferred maintenance that his needed.

AGAINST

Propo