How we see today’s ballot; please vote
Election Day has arrived.
One last time, we offer our recommendations for the eight state constitutional amendments, as well as the runoff for Texas House representative in District 118 and a Judson ISD bond initiative.
Such off-year elections don’t garner as much attention as midterm and presidential elections, but every election matters, and these are important issues. If you haven’t done so, please cast a ballot.
Proposition 1
What it says: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the professional sports team charitable foundations of organizations sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association or the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association to conduct charitable raffles at rodeo venues.”
Our view: FOR. Charitable foundations of other professional sports are allowed to hold raffles. Charitable rodeo foundations should be allowed to do likewise.
Proposition 2
What it says: “The constitutional amendment authorizing a county to finance the development or redevelopment of transportation or infrastructure in unproductive, underdeveloped, or blighted areas in the county.”
Our view: FOR. The Texas Constitution allows cities and towns to finance transportation and infrastructure projects with bonds and notes. This expands that ability to counties.
Proposition 3
What it says: “The constitutional amendment to prohibit this state or a political subdivision of this state from prohibiting or limiting religious services of religious organizations.”
Our view: AGAINST. State and local governments have a right to limit gatherings — even religious ones — during a public health emergency.
Proposition 4
What it says: “The constitutional amendment changing the eligibility requirements for a justice of the supreme court, a judge of the court of criminal appeals, a justice of a court of appeals, and a district judge.”
Our view: FOR. We have seen far too many unqualified judicial candidates who meet the legal requirements for these posts. Raise the bar.
Proposition 5
What it says: “The constitutional amendment providing additional powers to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct with respect to candidates for judicial office.”
Our view: FOR.
Proposition 6
What it says: “The constitutional amendment establishing a right for residents of certain facilities to designate an essential caregiver for in-person visitation.”
Our view: FOR.
Proposition 7
What it says: “The constitutional amendment to allow the surviving spouse of a person who is disabled to receive a limitation on the school district ad valorem taxes on the spouse’s residence homestead if the spouse is 55 years of age or older at the time of the person’s death.”
Our view: FOR. This amendment validates a law that’s already on the books.
Proposition 8
What it says: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a member of the armed services of the United States who is killed or fatally injured in the line of duty.”
Our view: FOR. We need to support military spouses regardless of the circumstance of their loved one’s death.
Texas House District 118 Frank Ramirez
Judson ISD bond FOR.
We support propositions A, B and C.