There is a Texas Constitutional Amendment Election coming up on November 3, 2009. The San Antonio Tea Party encourages you to get informed on the issues and make your voice heard. Off year elections are notorious for low voter turnouts. So if you don’t want to wake up on November 4^th and say “How did that pass?” then you need to get involved.

Here are some important dates that Texas voters should be aware of:

Constitutional Amendment Election, November 3, 2009

First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail:
September 4, 2009

Last Day to Register to Vote:
October 5, 2009 (moves to next business day, Monday)

First Day of Early Voting:
October 19, 2009 (17th day before election day falls on a Saturday, first day moves to next business day)

Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail:
(Received, not postmarked) October 27, 2009

Last Day of Early Voting:
October 30, 2009

What Proposition 1 Says:

HJR 132 (History of HJR 132)

“The constitutional amendment authorizing the financing, including through tax increment financing, of the acquisition by municipalities and counties of buffer areas or open spaces adjacent to a military installation for the prevention of encroachment or for the construction of roadways, utilities, or other infrastructure to protect or promote the mission of the military installation.”

What Proposition 1 Means:
(HJR 132)

HJR 132 would amend the constitution to authorize the legislature to allow a municipality or a county to issue bonds and notes to finance the purchase of buffer areas or open spaces adjacent to military installations. The buffer areas would be used to prevent encroachment or to construct roadways utilities, or other infrastructure to protect or promote the mission of the military installation. The municipality or county may pledge increases in ad valorem tax revenues for repayment of the bonds or notes.

The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the financing, including through tax increment financing, of the acquisition by municipalities and counties of buffer areas or open spaces adjacent to a military installation for the prevention of encroachment or for the construction of roadways, utilities, or other infrastructure to protect or promote the mission of the military installation.”

What Proposition 2 Says:

HJR 36-1 (History of HJR 36-1)

“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the ad valorem taxation of a residence homestead solely on the basis of the property’s value as a residence homestead.”

What Proposition 2 Means:
(HJR 36 – #1)

HJR 36 would amend the constitution to authorize the legislature to provide for the taxation of a residence homestead solely on the basis of the property’s value as a residence homestead, regardless of whether the property may have a higher value if it were used for other purposes.

The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the ad valorem taxation of a residence homestead solely on the basis of the property’s value as a residence homestead.”

What Proposition 3 Says:

HJR 36-3 (History of HJR 36-3)

“The constitutional amendment providing for uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for ad valorem tax purposes.”

What Proposition 3 Means:
(HJR 36 – #3)

HJR 36 would amend the constitution to require the legislature to provide for the administration and enforcement of uniform standards and procedures for appraisal of property for ad valorem tax purposes.

The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment providing for uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for ad valorem tax purposes.”

What Proposition 4 Says:

HJR 14-2 (History of HJR 14-2)

“The constitutional amendment establishing the national research university fund to enable emerging research universities in this state to achieve national prominence as major research universities and transferring the balance of the higher education fund to the national research university fund.”

What Proposition 4 Means:
(HJR 14 – #2)

HJR 14 would amend the constitution to establish the national research university fund to provide a source of funding that will enable emerging research universities in this state to develop into major research universities. The amendment would require the legislature to dedicate state revenue to the fund and to transfer the balance of the existing higher education fund to the national research university fund. This amendment would further require the legislature to establish the criteria by which a state university may become eligible to receive and use distributions from the fund.

The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment establishing the national research university fund to enable emerging research universities in this state to achieve national prominence as major research universities and transferring the balance of the higher education fund to the national research university fund.”

What Proposition 5 Says:

HJR 36-2 (History of HJR 36-2)

“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to authorize a single board of equalization for two or more adjoining appraisal entities that elect to provide for consolidated equalizations.”

What Proposition 5 Means:
(HJR 36 – #2)

HJR 36 would amend the constitution to authorize the legislature to allow for a single appraisal review board for two or more adjoining appraisal entities that elect to provide for consolidated reviews of tax appraisals.

The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to authorize a single board of equalization for two or more adjoining appraisal entities that elect to provide for consolidated equalizations.”

What Proposition 6 Says:

HJR 116 (History of HJR 116)

“The constitutional amendment authorizing the Veterans’ Land Board to issue general obligation bonds in amounts equal to or less than amounts previously authorized.”

What Proposition 6 Means:
(HJR 116)

HJR 116 would amend the constitution to authorize the Veterans’ Land Board to issue general obligation bonds, subject to certain constitutional limits, for the purpose of selling land and providing home or land mortgage loans to veterans of the state.

The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the Veterans ’ Land Board to issue general obligation bonds in amounts equal to or less than amounts previously authorized.”

What Proposition 7 Says:

HJR 127 (History of HJR 127)

“The constitutional amendment to allow an officer or enlisted member of the Texas State Guard or other state militia or military force to hold other civil offices.”

What Proposition 7 Means:
(HJR 127)

HJR 127 would amend the constitution to allow an officer or enlisted member of the Texas State Guard or other state militia or military force to hold other civil offices.

The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment to allow an officer or enlisted member of the Texas State Guard or other state militia or military force to hold other civil offices.”

What Proposition 8 Says:

HJR 7 (History of HJR 7)

“The constitutional amendment authorizing the state to contribute money, property, and other resources for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of veterans hospitals in this state.”

What Proposition 8 Means:
(HJR 7)

HJR 7 would amend the constitution to authorize the state to contribute money, property, and other resources for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of veterans’ hospitals in this state.

The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the state to contribute money, property, and other resources for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of veterans hospitals in this state.”

What Proposition 9 Says:

HJR 102 (History of HJR 102)

“The constitutional amendment to protect the right of the public, individually and collectively, to access and use the public beaches bordering the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico.”

What Proposition 9 Means:
(HJR 102)

HJR 102 would define what is a state-owned public beach. The public, individually and collectively, would have an unrestricted right to use and a right of ingress to and egress from a public beach. The amendment would authorize the legislature to enact laws to protect these rights.

The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment to protect the right of the public, individually and collectively, to access and use the public beaches bordering the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico.”

What Proposition 10 Says:

HJR 85 (History of HJR 85)

“The constitutional amendment to provide that elected members of the governing boards of emergency services districts may serve terms not to exceed four years.”

What Proposition 10 Means:
(HJR 85)

HJR 85 would amend the constitution to authorize the legislature to provide that members of the governing board of an emergency services district may serve terms not to exceed four years.

The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment to provide that elected members of the governing boards of emergency services districts may serve terms not to exceed four years.”

What Proposition 11 Says:

HJR 14-1 (History of HJR 14-1)

“The constitutional amendment to prohibit the taking, damaging, or destroying of private property for public use unless the action is for the ownership, use, and enjoyment of the property by the State, a political subdivision of the State, the public at large, or entities granted the power of eminent domain under law or for the elimination of urban blight on a particular parcel of property, but not for certain economic development or enhancement of tax revenue purposes, and to limit the legislature’s authority to grant the power of eminent domain to an entity.”

What Proposition 11 Means:
(HJR 14 – #1)

HJR 14 would amend the constitution to provide that the taking of private property for public use (“eminent domain”) is authorized only if it is for the ownership, use, and enjoyment of the property by the State, its political subdivisions, the public at large, or by entities granted the power of eminent domain, or for the removal of urban blight. The amendment would prohibit the taking of private property for transfer to a private entity for the purpose of economic development or to increase tax revenues. The amendment would also limit the legislature’s authority to grant the power of eminent domain in the future unless it is approved by a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to each house.

The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment to prohibit the taking, damaging, or destroying of private property for public use unless the action is for the ownership, use, and enjoyment of the property by the State, a political subdivision of the State, the public at large, or entities granted the power of eminent domain under law or for the elimination of urban blight on a particular parcel of property, but not for certain economic development or enhancement of tax revenue purposes, and to limit the legislature ’s authority to grant the power of eminent domain to an entity.”

For additional material on these amendments please go to http://www.lwvtexas.org/2009VG/2009CAVG%5BFINAL%5D.pdf

You can read the proposed amendments at the Texas Secretary Of States site:

Ballot Language and Order for the November 3rd, 2009, Constitutional Amendment Election:
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/2009novballotlang.shtml

Explanatory Statements for the November 3rd, 2009, Constitutional Amendment Election:
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/2009novballotexp.shtml

Agenda for General Patriot’s Meeting – Sunday, August 23, 2009

1) Opening Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance

2) Opening Remarks
a) mail “pink slips” postmarked on 9-11-09 to Congress – all of them!
b) reminder: timing speakers: “T” sign and in front of microphone
c) Health Care Tiger Team update – Steve Baysinger
d) Media Tiger Team update – Tom Kennedy
e) John Watson:
1) call for members of fraternal and professional organizations
2) call for volunteers to attend city council, commissioners court, etc.

3) Issues updates: status in Congress
a) letter from Bob Sabia to Congressman Rodriguez

4) July 4th bills remaining and upcoming sales
a) short outline of what remains to be paid – less than $1,000 now!
b) future sales locations  – update

5) Report from the trenches of NAFTA – Mr. Crossland

6) Introduction to the U.S. Constitution – Joe Ware

7) Upcoming elections
a) primary season – has the most impact, State and Federal races
b) organize block by block – need to form teams
voter roll project – teaming with Dallas – funding angels needed!
c) candidate forums – Medina, Perry, Hutchison notified – in person;
in active search for venue
d) American Majority activist training – possible September and October

August and September events
a) August events
1) Hannity special: Obama background was pulled, Click Here to watch
2) Congressional Town Halls – Click Here for events
b) September 3rd Tea Party Express at The Alamo – Diane Eagan
c) September 5th rally ‘Stand Up for Texas’ in Austin – Diane Eagan
d) September 11th – mail “pink slips” to Congress
reminder: they work for US!
e) September 12th in Washington, D.C. – Susan Watson

9) New business from the floor
a) question / suggestion / answer time

10) Closing Prayer