Sunday, October 19, 1997

Home values, water among 14 proposals

Amending the Texas Constitution is no one's idea of grand time. But as usual, the propositions include some necessary changes that will affect the state's business and, in a couple of cases, peoples' lives, as well.

On Friday we endorsed Proposition 8, lifting the ban on home equity lending in Texas. That's one of the most important of the amendments, but all 14 on the Nov. 4 ballot should be approved. Here's a rundown:

-- Proposition 1 would allow a person to hold the position of municipal judge in more than one municipality. This is aimed at smaller communities in which a judge may be needed only a few days each month.

-- Proposition 2, allowing the Legislature to limit property appraisals of homes to about 10 percent a year since the most recent tax appraisal.

This is a fair compromise. During the last session of the Texas Legislature, some lawmakers wanted much tougher restrictions on property appraisals, while some felt values should be left strictly to market guidelines.

Under this amendment, homeowners will gain some protection against dramatic, unexpected increases in their property values (and thus their taxes). The effect on local governments, however, would be minimal.

-- Proposition 3, allowing counties, cities, towns and other local taxing entities the power to grant exemptions or other tax relief on property where approved water conservation programs have been started.

-- Proposition 4 updates the Constitution to reflect changes in federal law and also deletes obsolete provisions. Go for it.

-- Proposition 5 would allow the Texas Supreme Court to hold sessions at any location in the state, something many other states allow for their highest courts.

-- Proposition 6 repeals a 1988 prohibition on Texas Growth Fund investment in companies that fail to disclose investment in South Africa or Namibia. The original prohibition was a reaction against apartheid, which has been abolished in those countries.

-- Proposition 7 would allow the Texas Water Development Board to consolidate more than $1 billion of existing general obligation bonding authority, allowing hundreds of millions of dollars to be used for a wide variety of water projects in the state.

-- Proposition 9 permitting Harris County rural fire districts to increase their tax rates. Sure, why not?

-- Proposition 10 would dedicate the crime victims' compensation fund only for victim-related compensation, services or assistance. This would prevent lawmakers from using the fund for other purposes, as has been tried in recent years.

-- Proposition 11 would limit the amount of state debt payable from the state's general revenue fund.

-- Proposition 12 would require the Texas Supreme Court to rule on a motion for rehearing within 180 days of its filing or have the motion deemed denied.

-- Proposition 13 would make the Texas Tomorrow Fund a constitutionally protected trust fund, as well.

This program allows Texans to prepay future college tuition at today's prices. Approving this amendment would prevent the Legislature from raiding the fund to pay for other programs and put the state's financial backing behind the fund.

-- Proposition 14 would authorize the Legislature to establish qualifications for constables. Some argue the Legislature already has that power, but this clarifies it.

Our state constitution is a mess, but this is the process we're stuck with. Please vote.