Texas Eagle Forum Alert
by Cathie Adams, president, cathieadams@texaseagle.org
Legislative Advertising, Texas Eagle Forum, Cathie Adams, P.O. Box 795354, Dallas, TX 75379.


November 1999
Dear Friends,
One of the most difficult and important responsibilities Texans have is to vote on amendments to our state constitution. While some have called for a total re-write of the document, we oppose such a move. Rather, I encourage you to cast informed votes to strengthen-not weaken our historic document. After much consultation and study, my personal decisions are listed below, but please make up your own mind reflecting upon my stated reasons.

Amendment #1:

I will vote YES to clarify the replacement process of Texas' governor if he vacates his office before the end of his elected term.

Amendment #2:

I will vote YES because it makes changes so that reverse mortgages would allow people to make maximum use of their assets in their later years.
Amendment #3: I will vote NO because it claims to remove "deadwood" from the constitution, but whether it alters the power of government or rights of individuals is unclear.
Amendment #4: I will vote NO because it would make property used "primarily" in public charitable functions tax exempt, rather than only property used exclusively for charitable purposes.
Amendment #5: I will vote NO because it would create a conflict of interest by allowing state employees to receive compensation from local governing bodies for their service.
Amendment #6: I will vote NO because it could cause an unnecessary intrusion of government affecting private property rights in the realm of home equity lending laws.
Amendment #7: I will vote NO because it would transfer the government responsibility of garnishment of wages for spousal maintenance to private employers.
Amendment #8: I will vote NO because it would enhance the governor's authority to remove appointees which could lead to personality conflicts at the expense of government agencies.
Amendment #9: I will vote NO because it would remove the authority of legislators to set judicial salaries; therefore, removing accountability to the voters.
Amendment #10: I will vote NO for the same reasons as Amendment #8. This amendment would affect the Texas Commissioner of Health and Human Services.
Amendment #11: I will vote YES to allow a political subdivision to purchase nonassessable property and casualty insurance, just as they already can purchase life, health and accident insurance.
Amendment #12: I will vote YES to exempt motor vehicles leased for personal use from property taxes. Vehicles purchased or leased for producing income will still be subject to annual taxation.
Amendment #13: I will vote NO because it would allow the government to intrude into the free market arena of educational loans to students.
Amendment #14: I will vote NO because it would mandate that state boards and commissions be composed of odd numbers of three or more members. This is unnecessary.
Amendment #15: I will vote YES to increase property rights by permitting spouses to agree to convert separate property to community property.
Amendment #16: I will vote YES to allow counties to make the decision if more precincts are needed for justices of the peace and constables. This should be a local decision, not a state mandate.
Amendment #17: I will vote NO because it would allow universities to spend their capital gains from their permanent university fund, thereby spending their future investment funds.


Please VOTE in this crucial election on November 2nd.

Sincerely,
Cathie Adams, president of Texas Eagle Forum
P.S. May God richly bless you and your family at Thanksgiving. "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say this-those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south." Psalms 107:1-3 Those who trust in One God--Father, Son and Holy Spirit--are the redeemed who will enjoy His love forever.


© 1999, Texas Eagle Forum
P.O. 795354
Dallas, TX 75379
(972) 250-0734