Transportation Projects’ Funding on November Ballot

Funding highway construction and a general Constitutional update are among the propositions to be considered on November 6. PROPOSITION #12:UPDATING THE CONSTITUTION: This amendment would remove or reword numerous obsolete, duplicate and ineffective provisions of the Texas Constitution. The voters approved similar amendments to this proposition which revised certain portions of the Constitution in the 1997 and 1999 elections. Proponents say: Proposition 12 would help streamline and modernize the Constitution but will not make substantive changes. A complete rewrite of the Constitution would lead to many lawsuits to interpret it. Opponents say: It would make more sense to completely rewrite the Texas Constitution which already has 390 amendments. PROPOSITION #15: CREATING THE TEXAS MOBILITY FUND: This amendment would establish the Texas Mobility Fund, allowing the Texas Transportation Commission to issue bonds to finance construction, maintenance and reconstruction of state highways and other public transportation projects. Proponents say: Texas’ traditional “pay-as-you-go” approach to highway funding has been overtaken by reality. Due to the rise in the Texas population, there are more vehicle miles traveled, greater traffic congestion and many unsafe bridges. Construction cost increases, while waiting to start a project, are greater than interest costs. Cities and counties routinely finance road projects with bonds. It is time the state used this financing tool as well. Opponents say: Borrowing money by issuing bonds would make highways more expensive because of debt service, underwriting and issuance cost. Bonding would not generate new money for highways; it merely would commit it for future revenue. If the economy falters, this could require tax increases. On October 12, 1892 the Pledge of Allegiance was recited for the first time at a National School Celebration declared by President Benjamin Harrison. Every school in the nation was invited to show unity of the youth by reciting the Pledge, written for this event. October 15-19 is Business Women’s Week. Congratulations to all our Business and Professional Women’s chapters.