Editorial: Just say ‘no’ to proposed amendments

It’s election time.

No, it’s nothing flashy, controversial, or even interesting really. It’s the regular, every-two-years Texas Constitutional Amendment Election.

Election Day isn’t officially until November 3; but if you’re a registered voter and have some way of proving you’re not an illegal immigrant who snuck into this great land to vote for Democrats, you can cast your ballots early now at the Donley County Courthouse Annex.

Most of you won’t. In fact, most of the rest of the state won’t vote either. A Texas Tribune reporter has noted that only about two or three of every 100 Texans will actually be deciding new rules the whole state will live with.

It is no secret that the state constitution is an overly complicated mess of a document. It has been amended more than 480 times since it was adopted in 1876. It is, to say the least, imperfect and almost begs to be tweaked; and that gives politicians a chance to propose changes we really don’t need but do make somebody feel really good.

This time there are seven amendments on the ballot. The Enterprise will go out on a limb here and predict all seven will pass, but nonetheless we’re going to encourage you to vote against all of them… just because.

Take a look at what we have on the ballot…

Amendment No. 1 – The constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes from $15,000 to $25,000. Well now, who doesn’t want a tax cut?

There’s no way this doesn’t pass. Never mind that it cuts revenue to school districts (which will supposedly be made up by state funding and politicians would never go back on that promise). It’s stupid things like this that allow state Republicans to say they’ve “cut taxes” without really cutting state taxes. They effectively cut local taxes and, in this case, your school boards will end up dealing with it.

Amendment No. 2 – 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 100 percent or totally disabled veteran who died before the law authorizing a residence homestead exemption for such a veteran took effect.

Ah, yet another sympathy tax cut. Easy passage. Who doesn’t feel sorry for the surviving spouse of a disabled vet who died before he or she could get his or her taxes cut? Let’s not even talk about how much money the surviving spouse may or may not be making. They were dealt a terrible hand by fate and deserve some relief! Next time, we should amend the constitution to freeze taxes on one-legged midgets, red-headed albinos, or male lesbians. Maybe cancer survivors should get a tax benefit, too. Shoot a mile! Why tax any one? Everybody has a sob story somewhere in their life. Did I mention my beloved cat got run over last year?

Amendment No. 3 – The constitutional amendment repealing the requirement that state officers elected by voters statewide reside in the state capital.

Why would we want to make them live where they have to work? Let ‘em live in Ardmore, Oklahoma, if they want to. That’ll be fine.

Amendment No. 4 – The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit professional sports team charitable foundations to conduct charitable raffles.

Why should the Dallas Cowboys booster club get to have raffles if the Clarendon Bronco Parents can’t? Lift all the restrictions on charitable raffles and be done with it.

Amendment No. 5 – The constitutional amendment to authorize counties with a population of 7,500 or less to perform private road construction and maintenance.

I don’t really see the line of people wanting to hire Donley County to build private roads. Next.

Amendment No. 6 – The constitutional amendment recognizing the right of the people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife subject to laws that promote wildlife conservation.

Is there some threat in the State Legislature to hunting and fishing? Are we in a parallel universe where this is a problem in Texas? This is the stupidest and most purely political thing since we added “under God” to the Texas Pledge of Allegiance. What’s next a constitutional amendment to protect your right to fly the Lone Star Flag, your right to eat pecan pie, or your right to attend a high school football game? But it will pass… just watch.

Amendment No. 7 – The constitutional amendment dedicating certain sales and use tax revenue and motor vehicle sales, use, and rental tax revenue to the state highway fund to provide funding for non-tolled roads and the reduction of certain transportation-related debt.

Hmm… more dedicated funds for TxDOT mostly going to the I-35 corridor, no doubt. Let’s pass on this. In fact, let’s pass on any more extra funding for TxDOT until rural Texas starts getting some love. I’m tired of overgrown medians and rights-of-way, tired of closed down or dismantled picnic areas, and tired of excuses that Clarendon can’t have a “Chamber of Commerce Office” sign on the highway. You want more money? Go pound sand, TxDOT. Come back when you can play nice.

So there you have it. Your Official Enterprise Voting Guide for the 2015 election. No, no, no, no, no, heck no, and no. Happy voting!